Advocacy Director

APPLICATION DEADLINE:  Rolling; open until full 

 Expected Start Date: Immediately 

 SUMMARY 

The New Hampshire Municipal Association (NHMA), a nonprofit, nonpartisan, membership organization, is looking for a highly motivated attorney with a passion for public policy, advocacy, and municipal issues to lead NHMA’s advocacy and public policy team.   

The Director of Advocacy serves as the administrative head of NHMA’s policy and advocacy team and provides legislative advocacy (lobbying) based on NHMA’s member-adopted Legislative Policies and Principles. The Director of Advocacy works with the legislature and with policymakers, state agencies, and other stakeholders to achieve positive legislative outcomes for cities and towns. The Director of Advocacy will be a registered lobbyist with the State of New Hampshire. 

This position presents a unique opportunity to engage with local government, the state legislature, and other policymakers on issues critical to local government in New Hampshire and to play a crucial role in shaping public policy. This position requires a strong understanding of public policy, excellent communication skills, and the ability to engage with various stakeholders effectively. The ideal candidate will have public policy and advocacy experience and an interest in learning new things in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.   

NHMA offers an excellent benefits package, including: 

• Health and dental insurance (including a no-cost plan with an HRA) 
• Defined contribution pension plan (not part of the NH Retirement System) 
• Optional employee contribution to 457(B) retirement plan 
• Optional Flexible Spending Account (FSA) 
• Annual vacation time, sick time, paid holidays 
• Longevity bonuses 
• Short- and long-term disability 
• Hybrid work schedule option (available when the legislature is not in session; available after 6 months for new employees and at the discretion of the employer) 
• NHMA is an eligible employer under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF). 

 The position reports directly to the Executive Director. This is a salaried, exempt position. This is not a supervisory position. 

 Visit our website to learn more about the services the New Hampshire Municipal Association provides.  

 PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS 

•  A law degree from an accredited law school.  
• Three or more years’ advocacy experience. Advocacy experience may come from a variety of prior experiences, including work as a lobbyist, attorney, or other advocate on behalf a person or organization.  
• Municipal work experience and/or municipal law experience is strongly preferred.  
• Ability to represent NHMA to legislators and local government officials. 
• Ability to form strong professional relationships with a variety of state and local officials and stakeholders. 
• Strong public speaking ability.  
• Ability to communicate complex issues to a diverse audience.  
• Strong negotiation skills.  
• Familiarity with the New Hampshire legislative process is required.  
• Strong interpersonal/communication skills and an ability to work both independently and in teams. NHMA is a small, 10-person organization, and staff collaborate continuously.  
• Strong organizational skills.  
• High motivation and an inquisitive mind.   
• NHMA follows and advocates on several hundred bills each legislative session. The ability to learn and master new concepts in a fast-paced environment is critical. 
• Public finance, tax policy, energy, and/or environmental policy experience is a plus.  

 SELECTION PROCESS:  Please submit the following to careers@nhmunicipal.org: 

• Cover letter 
• Resume 
• Two Professional References 

 Initial interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Finalists may be required to undergo a second interview with the full NHMA staff.  

 The successful candidate will be required to pass professional background investigation and must have a valid driver’s license.    

 ESSENTIAL DUTIES: (The following are illustrative and are not intended to be all-inclusive.) 

• Under the supervision of the executive director, is responsible for the implementation of NHMA’s advocacy program and advancing NHMA’s specific legislative policy agenda and municipal interests generally at the state and federal level.  In collaboration with the executive director and other NHMA staff, develops broad, often complex strategies to advance municipal legislative policy and exercises considerable discretion and judgment in carrying them out.  
• Performs highly visible public relations activities advocating municipal interests before state legislators and other officials, including agency department heads and staff, the governor and staff, and members of the congressional delegation and their staffs.   
• Responds to specific inquiries, provides information, and encourages active participation of local officials to influence the direction of pending state and federal deliberations on issues affecting local government.   
• Reviews all legislation filed each session to determine potential municipal impact and reports same to members; compiles legislative positions adopted by members; drafts legislation to accomplish NHMA policy positions; presents oral and written testimony before legislative committees; monitors all non-policy bills and tracks status of all municipal-related legislation. 
• Assists in the preparation of the Legislative Bulletin, published weekly during the legislative session, and other communications for distribution to NHMA members informing them of key state and federal developments. Assists in updating and writing various NHMA publications, articles, handbooks, and other communications. 
• Represents municipal government interests by following and testifying on administrative rules and speaking before membership and affiliate groups to provide legislative updates and other necessary information. Responds to news media for information, opinion, and comment on legislative and related matters affecting local government at the direction of the executive director. 
• Helps organize, manage, and staff the NHMA legislative policy development process. 

Physical Demands: Typically, the employee may sit comfortably to do the work. There is also walking; standing; bending; carrying of light items such as papers, books, small parts; driving an automobile, etc. The employee must be able to speak clearly and professionally with members and others in a manner that can be easily understood.  No special physical demands are required to perform the work. The position requires regular in-state and occasional out-of-state, overnight travel. The position requires a valid driver’s license and access to a vehicle.  

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