Director of State and Local Affairs

About the role

The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) is seeking a Director of State & Local Affairs to develop and run government affairs and public policy strategies across the United States. The role leads state and local advocacy on behalf of AHLA and its members, covering legislative strategy, coalition building and issue campaigns. It reports to the Senior Vice President, State & Local Government Affairs, and is based in Washington, D.C. (hybrid), with remote options in Chicago or Denver.

Key responsibilities

• Develop and execute state and local government affairs strategies, and track legislation, regulations and emerging policy issues affecting the lodging industry.
• Build relationships with elected officials, government staff and policymakers, and share legislative developments with members.
• Build and lead local coalitions, run targeted issue campaigns and mobilize grassroots and grasstops networks.
• Integrate direct lobbying, coalition engagement, stakeholder communications, public affairs and member activation, and measure campaign outcomes.
• Monitor local elections and political leadership changes, and represent AHLA at meetings, convenings and industry events.
• Collaborate with federal government affairs, communications and membership teams, and support membership engagement.

Required profile

• Bachelor's degree in political science, public policy, communications or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
• Minimum 5-7 years of experience in state or local government affairs, public policy, advocacy, political campaigns or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience running legislative advocacy initiatives, issue campaigns and working with elected officials and business associations.
• Political campaign experience strongly preferred.
• Significant annual travel, about 50%, and flexibility for occasional evenings and weekends during legislative sessions and campaigns.

Required skills

• Strategic campaign mindset, coalition building and political acumen.
• Excellent written and verbal communication and persuasion skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).

Salary range: $110,000-$130,000.