Career Opportunities

Position Overview

NAPEO’s director of state government affairs is responsible for implementing and managing state legislative, regulatory and grassroots activities in close collaboration with the NAPEO team and our members. The director works in partnership with another director and reports to the vice president of state government affairs. This is a remote position, open to candidates located near a major airport. East coast candidates preferred, DC-area a plus.

Position Requirements

Must have excellent organizational, negotiating, verbal and written communication skills. Must have experience with legislative and regulatory processes common to state governments and a working knowledge of lobbying strategies, ethics restrictions and requirements. Must have the ability to handle multiple and demanding tasks simultaneously on tight deadlines. Must be able to travel frequently and with short notice to states to lobby on behalf of NAPEO. Must be able to establish and maintain professional and effective working relationships with NAPEO members, NAPEO staff, government officials, lobbyists and consultants and determine what issues are important to the membership. Must have prior state government, state lobbying or trade association experience. Knowledge of state insurance laws, state health laws, state paid family and medical leave laws, state-run retirement programs, and relationships with state insurance departments, state labor and workforce development departments preferred. Knowledge and understanding of PEO industry operations and trends, a plus. Bachelor’s degree required.

Responsibilities

The director of state government affairs will positively affect policy/change in designated states annually. Responsibilities include, but aren’t limited to:

• Assisting with the development, management and implementation of an annual strategic plan for targeted states.
• Responding swiftly and effectively to unexpected legislative and regulatory developments to protect industry interests and improve the regulatory climate if possible.
• Drafting regulatory or legislative initiatives and communications, including legislation, regulations, amendments, formal comments, and communications with decision makers on behalf of NAPEO.
• Developing and implementing grassroots communication strategies for targeted states.
• Developing grassroots educational and training materials for targeted states.
• Preparing correspondence and delivering testimony to state legislative and regulatory bodies expressing the industry’s concerns and positions on relevant issues.
• Representing NAPEO and PEO industry at hearings, meetings and conferences as official voice of industry on government affairs-related issues.
• Assisting with selection, hiring and supervision of retained lobbyists in specific states.
• Developing written materials for use by state lobbyists representing NAPEO.
• Coordinating outreach efforts with NAPEO allies (e.g., state chambers of commerce, NFIB chapters and other general business groups) to build coalitions on priority issues for all targeted states.
• Engaging association member involvement in NAPEO state government affairs.
• Serving as a NAPEO contact for PEO members regarding assigned state legislative and regulatory initiatives.
• Working with NAPEO’s State Government Affairs Committee and leadership councils in individual states to develop and maintain strong working relationship between NAPEO staff and membership.
• Leveraging state legislative and regulatory initiatives as an essential benefit of the member value proposition.
• Attending in-person leadership council forums in the states and give presentations on state government affairs, the importance of grassroots lobbying, and individual involvement for targeted states. Coordinating with NAPEO events team to develop agendas and invite speakers for leadership council forums.
• Providing assistance, guidance and training to members and leadership councils concerning grassroots development, lobbying activities and government affairs initiatives.
• Developing materials for lobbyists and members to use with legislators and regulators on general PEO topics and issues.
• Contributing to member communications with written state updates, articles, alerts, member call-to-action requests and relevant bill and statute analysis.
• Creating and managing member-state agency working groups to enhance understanding of PEO needs and concerns while fostering positive working relationships with state regulating representatives.
• Coordinating and developing legal and technical comments with NAPEO’s state government affairs team.
• Tracking of state bills and regulatory activities.
• Regularly reviewing NAPEO’s regulatory database for assigned state and advising on areas for improvement or change.
• Coordinating with NAPEO staff on updates to NAPEO’s website with current government affairs documents and current events.
• Supporting recruitment and retention of members through government affairs activities and communications.
• General administration and other duties as assigned.

About NAPEO

The National Association of Professional Employer Organizations (NAPEO) is The Voice of the PEO IndustryTM. PEOs provide payroll, benefits, regulatory compliance assistance, and other HR services to small and mid-sized companies. NAPEO’s mission is to grow, promote and support the PEO industry. NAPEO advocates for the interests of PEOs at all levels of government and provides robust member resources, vital networking opportunities, relevant and timely education, and effective public relations and marketing support.

To Apply

Please send your cover letter, salary requirements and resume to hwalker@napeo.org.