About LeadingAge Minnesota

LeadingAge Minnesota is Minnesota's largest association of aging services organizations. Today our membership encompasses over 1,000 member organizations including 700+ provider member sites. Together, we work with over 50,000 caregivers throughout the state and serve more than 100,000 seniors each year in settings across the continuum from their home to congregate housing to assisted living to care centers. Our members are diverse but share a common focus on person-directed living, missions of service to their communities and choice in older adult services.

LeadingAge MN is the state partner of LeadingAge and the state affiliate of Argentum.

For more information about LeadingAge Minnesota, please visit our website at www.leadingagemn.org

Job detail:

This position supports the advocacy and policy work of the association and is part of the Public Affairs Team.  The Director of Government Affairs will conduct a variety of activities, including direct lobbying, legislative monitoring and bill tracking, and research and writing regarding policy priorities. The Director of Government Affairs may serve as a point of contact to inform Association members, stakeholders and elected and appointed officials of LeadingAge MN policy and positions. The work will be focused on Minnesota state policy but may also include federal policy work from time to time.

Major responsibilities will include:

• Reports to the Senior Vice President of Advocacy and works in collaboration with the Director of Communications, LeadingAge MN public affairs staff, and LeadingAge MN members.
• At the direction of the Senior Vice President of Advocacy, will serve as part of LeadingAge MN lobbying team at the state Capitol, and will help advance the Association’s advocacy agenda.  In this capacity, the Director of Government Affairs will represent LeadingAge Minnesota and our members before the state legislature, before administrative agencies, and during other stakeholder meetings to successfully meet the Association’s strategic goals.
• Coordinates with the Director of Communications to assist in the development of written content for communication vehicles, such as action alerts, issue briefs, and articles to educate and mobilize members in support of advocacy efforts.
• Will take a lead role in organizing LeadingAge MN annual lobby day.
• Monitor public forums regarding complex public policy issues and identify potential issues, concerns or opportunities that should be addressed on behalf of LeadingAge MN members.  
• Performs government relations support and administrative duties for the Public Affairs Team  
• Provides research and policy analysis in support of legislative and/or policy priorities.
• Will serve as a staff liaison to LeadingAge MN committees, providing written and verbal updates on public policy priorities and listening to member input and feedback on key issues. May also be asked to brief the LeadingAge MN Board on policy issues impacting the membership.
• Some travel may be required.

Qualifications

• At least two years of experience, preferably including at least one year of direct lobbying experience in Minnesota.   
• Must demonstrate an understanding of the Minnesota legislative and policy processes. Existing relationships with legislators and state agency staff a plus.
• Excellent writing, presentation and speaking skills; and strong communication and interpersonal skills.  Candidates will be asked to produce relevant writing samples.
• Experience in working with membership associations and the nonprofit sector a plus.
• High integrity, knowledgeable, professional, collaborative/consultative approach.
• Individual should demonstrate the following personal qualities:  intellectual curiosity, adaptable to an ever-changing environment, a pro-active/action orientation, unflappable under pressure, ability to meet deadlines.
• The ability to work both independently and collaboratively with a public affairs team.
• This individual will be required to be a registered lobbyist in Minnesota.
• Candidates must be willing to travel and work some evenings and weekends.  This is a full-time exempt position.

If interested in applying for this position, send a cover letter and resume to kthurlow@leadingagemn.org.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, genetic information, disability, age, or any other status protected by state or local law, for qualified applicants who fall within the jurisdiction of such law.

We are an Affirmative Action, Equal Opportunity Employer.