Manager, National Engagement

LA28 does not provide relocation assistance.

The Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games will be hosted in Los Angeles, California in 2028, returning to the United States for the first time in over 30 years. 2028 will be the first time LA hosts the Paralympic Games, creating an opportunity to expand awareness, understanding and inclusion of people with disabilities.

LA28, the organizers for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Los Angeles, is on a mission to create an unparalleled Games experience for athletes, fans, partners, our community and our people. Our vision is to collectively create what’s next through sport, community and the power of our differences.

The 2028 Olympics and Paralympics will represent LA and leverage the strength of our community’s creativity as we collectively work to design a Games that we all want to be a part of. We do this by focusing on people and by inviting everyone into the story of the LA28 Games.

The LA28 organizing committee is an independent, non-profit organization that is privately funded and governed by a board of directors. 

Values and Behaviors:

• Optimism – Embody a positive, enthusiastic, and solution-oriented attitude in everything we do; challenge the status quo, inspire and support one another to achieve our best; have our eyes on the future and believe we can make a meaningful impact
• Integrity – We communicate openly and honestly, listen, and respectfully value multiple perspectives; we do what we say and are accountable for everything we do; we do the right thing, always. Even when it isn’t easy
• Excellence – We hold ourselves to the highest standard and expectations; we live our values and truths and persevere through challenges; we are continuous learners and adapt and pivot with speed to meet changing needs
• Inclusion – We seek to represent, include, empower and level the playing field; our work reflects the communities we serve and the world in which we live; we leverage our platforms to bring awareness to issues relevant to who we are
• Co-Creation – We are authors of a shared story. Everyone contributes their unique voice to our shared mission; we share pride in our accomplishments and ownership of our shortcomings
• Boldness – We embrace creativity, courage and outside-the-box thinking; we are unafraid to take risks, explore unconventional solutions, and learn from the process; we are innovators, disruptors, and challengers of the status quo

Manager, National Engagement

The Government Affairs team engages regularly with a wide range of stakeholders, including elected and appointed officials and their staff at the international, federal, state, and local levels. LA28’s Manager, National Engagement will play a crucial role in supporting the smooth and efficient operation of the National Engagement Team.

They will coordinate the overall development and implementation of LA28’s National Engagement projects, including the Olympic & Paralympic Torch Relays and additional Games activations outside of California for the Los Angeles 2028 Games. They will support the day-to-day engagement with our internal and external stakeholders, including through coordinating, providing briefing materials and tracking key workstreams.  They will be responsible for helping design and drive strategies and initiatives that enhance our relationships, secure necessary support, and allow us to engage and create a sense of excitement and anticipation across all 50 states.

They must be a proactive and detail-oriented professional with passion for government relations and the ability to work in a fast-paced, evolving environment under tight timelines. The incumbent must be very organized and adept at multitasking; able to handle many diverse projects at once and meet tight deadlines. They will report directly to the Senior Director, National Engagement while working closely with leaders across LA28’s Functional Areas.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Planning & Program Management

• Support nationwide activation strategy to engage and drive excitement in all 50 states in Games Planning
• Design and deliver cross-functional project program management plans, under the direction of the Director, National Engagement.
• Build project management tools for cross-functional collaboration; manage tracking and reporting for department-specific projects 
• Prepare activity reports and metrics for measuring program success; assist in managing projects ensuring timelines and deliverables are met within internal teams and external consultants 
• Draft and compile look-ahead and retrospective reports, briefings, and presentations for LA28 executive leadership, government bodies, and other stakeholders 
• Support efforts to obtain all necessary permits, licenses, and approvals for nationwide initiatives
• Ensure compliance with national, state, and local regulations
• Monitor and mitigate risks related to government relations and public policy challenges

Stakeholder Management 

• Work with all levels of government and external stakeholders to maximize public engagement and enthusiasm for the LA28 Games
• Develop and maintain relationships with government agencies, elected officials, and community partners across all jurisdictions involved with community engagement initiatives including community celebrations and the Olympic & Paralympic Torch Relay.
• Collaborate with event production, event management and internal LA28 functional areas, including but not limited to Torch Relay, Transportation, and Commercial Partnerships to plan & deliver key components of Olympic & Paralympic Torch Relays and other nationwide initiatives
• Develop and maintain relationships with Associations and affiliate-based organizations such as the US Conference of Mayors, National Governors Association, and other national convening bodies.
• Facilitate ongoing stakeholder engagement through meetings, conference calls, and written correspondence
• Develop, organize, and track comprehensive meeting and project agendas, materials, and follow-ups, proactively monitoring and managing action items from internal and external stakeholders to ensure precise project execution and accountability 
• Maintain databases for managing and tracking outreach and engagement activities and stakeholder contacts 
• Continually seek and research pertinent information/news/data/public policies relative to LA28 stakeholders; analyze stakeholder interests, concerns, and expectations to inform strategic decision-making 

Administrative Support 

• Maintain centralized file management system
• Assist with the planning and execution of key LA28 events, including booking travel, managing guest lists, and overseeing logistics. 
• Support onboarding efforts and set-up for new team members
• As needed, provide comprehensive administrative support including calendar management, travel arrangements, and expense reporting

Background & Qualifications:

• 5-7 years of direct experience in government, external relations or other related fast-paced field managing and people and initiatives
• Experience of building and maintaining relationships at all levels of government across the United States
• Understanding of the live events industry, including logistical, technical, and regulatory considerations
• Knowledge of legislative and regulatory processes; experience researching and writing background papers and briefings for Senior Leadership
• Working knowledge of CRM software (Salesforce, etc.) and project management Software (Smartsheets, Asana, etc.)

Position Requirements:

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions

• Availability to work in-person in a Los Angeles-based office 5 days a week
• The LA28 office is an open floorplan working environment, employees must be able to work efficiently in an open cubicle environment.
• Willingness to travel and work irregular hours, including evenings and weekends
• 2025-2027: Approx. 25% annually for stakeholder meetings, observation opportunities, site-checks, etc.
• 2028: Expectation to be on the road with the Torch Relays and other initiatives

Education:

• An undergraduate or graduate degree in public policy, political science, law, or related field

Expectations:

• Demonstrated ability to prioritize and contribute under pressure and meet tight deadlines
• Ability to adapt to unknown situations and propose innovative solutions
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to engage and influence stakeholders at all levels, including delivering effective presentations in a public setting
• Extremely detail-oriented with excellent organizational, operational and program execution skills
• Ability to strategically align complex, cross-functional workstreams
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to motivate and manage a diverse team
• Commitment to understanding the national stakeholder landscape, including political and community trends
• A passion for the Olympic & Paralympic movement and its values is a plus
• Ability to handle sensitive information with discretion and professionalism

Submission Requirements:

• Resume

The annual base salary range for this position is $85,000.00 - $105,000.00. The pay scale provided is the range that LA28 reasonably expects to pay as starting base compensation for this role. All LA28 compensation remains subject to final determination based on individual candidate qualifications, experience, or other reasonable criteria consistent with LA28’s operational business needs and applicable law.

LA28 does not provide relocation assistance.

LA28 is committed to operating fair and unbiased recruitment procedures allowing all applicants an equal opportunity for employment, free from discrimination on the basis of religion, race, sex, age, sexual orientation, disability, color, ethnic or national origin, or any other classification as may be protected by applicable law. We strive to build a team that is diverse, inclusive and encourages qualified candidates of all backgrounds, perspectives, and identities to apply. We will consider all qualified candidates with criminal histories in a manner consistent with local law. We assess applications based on relevant skills, education, and experience a candidate can add to our team.