Director, State & Local Government Affairs

Job Summary

The Director, State & Local Government Affairs is a key member of Marriott International’s Government Affairs group, working to advance the interests of the company with state and local legislators, regulators, mayors, governors and other non-governmental stakeholders influencing state and local policy development.

This position is responsible for autonomously managing a multi-issue and multi-jurisdictional policy portfolio, serving as a subject matter expert and primary representative of the company with relevant state and local policymakers. This includes responsibility for continuously monitoring and analyzing state legislative and regulatory activity for its impact on the business while maintaining robust relationships with (1) policymakers in key state capitals and their staff, and (2) company leaders to inform advocacy, political giving, and compliance strategies. In addition, this position also manages relationships with state and local external consultants, lobbyists, business associations and coalitions to advance the company’s policymaking objectives.

CANDIDATE PROFILE

Education and Experience

Required:

Four-year college degree in political science, public policy or a related field

10 years’ experience working in a state or local legislative office, in a legislative affairs or policy role within a state agency or Governor’s office, or in a government relations role

Fluency with state and local political and legislative processes, as well as experience with grassroots and coalition management

Ability to undertake significant travel (approaching 50% during peak winter/spring state legislative season).

Flexibility to travel and attend evening events.

Preferred:

Advanced studies or a graduate degree in political science, public policy or a related field

Experience with a mix of government and private sector experience

Experience in the hospitality industry combined with a strong knowledge of related products, services, solutions and strategies.

Core Work Activities

Lead and oversee Marriott’s engagement in state and local legislative and political affairs, including:

Identifying policy priorities through internal stakeholder engagement;

Managing a multi-issue policy portfolio, including independently analyzing relevant legislative and regulatory activity across various jurisdictions, determining potential impact, and developing company positioning;

Building advocacy campaigns while managing strategic deployment of outside consultants, lobbyists and coalition partners;

Developing and maintaining relationships with state and local officials, as well as their staffs, to build receptivity to company policy goals;

Representing the company with state trade associations and coalitions to drive alignment in advancing company objectives;

Developing and executing strategic political giving plans in consultation with leadership and representing the company at fundraisers, conventions and related political events;

Supporting political compliance efforts in collaboration with outside counsel, and;

Overseeing grassroots political engagement by Business Councils and other property-level associates.

Engage key internal stakeholders in state and local policy/political matters by:

Informing senior leadership, seeking directional guidance and developing executive communications on state and local policy matters;

Collaborating with field, legal, and operations leaders on legislative/regulatory changes that impact business activity and to inform lobbying strategy;

Identifying and preparing executives for potential political sensitivities in public appearances and identifying proactive engagement opportunities with policymakers to further policy objectives; and

Collaborating with cross-company functions to ensure alignment on policy issues to inform communications and business positioning.

Support other Government Affairs activities and projects, including:

Identifying, shaping and/or creating opportunities at public events to educate policymakers, staff and influencers about Marriott to bolster company reputational and political capital;

Developing or overseeing the creation of content for internal and external communications related to state and local policy developments;

Representing the Government Affairs office with internal or external stakeholders to provide education about the function or build support for MARPAC;

Representing the company at fundraising events and other community/non-governmental partner events; and

Building programming for Government Affairs Day “Fly Ins” with Business Council and property leaders.