Responsibilities

• Lead and grow lobbyist relationships across US states and Canadian provinces, setting strategic direction and managing performance against clear objectives
• Own the annual policy plan: a jurisdiction-by-jurisdiction strategy connecting legislative sessions, budget cycles, and regulatory timelines to revenue opportunities
• Deepen relationships with state and provincial agency leaders, legislative staff, and budget officials who shape purchasing decisions for outdoor recreation and safety education
• Monitor legislative and regulatory developments to identify opportunities early and keep the organization ahead of the curve
• Strengthen the lead handoff process between government relations and sales to ensure opportunities translate into commercial outcomes
• Evolve our association strategy with a tiered engagement model, prioritizing where we pursue board or committee influence versus active membership
• Build and lead coalitions with aligned organizations to advance shared policy priorities that grow demand for outdoor recreation and safety education
• Represent the organization as a thought leader at association conferences, working groups, and regulatory proceedings
• Expand and formalize our PR capability—building media relationships, launching signature events, and creating campaigns that generate earned media and public attention
• Develop co-branded PR campaigns with government partners: joint planning, coordinated execution, and shared success metrics

Requirements

• 10+ years in government relations, public affairs, or government-facing business development, with 5+ years at a VP level
• Experience managing lobbyist networks across multiple US states or Canadian provinces
• Track record of building or significantly expanding a government affairs function—not just maintaining one
• Experience with trade associations, regulatory bodies, and cross-sector coalitions to influence policy outcomes
• Proven ability to connect policy engagement to commercial results: pipeline, revenue, or market access
• Hands-on experience with PR, media relations, or public-facing communications
• Cross-border awareness of both US state and Canadian provincial government structures
• Strong executive communication skills—comfortable briefing C-suite and board audiences
• Data-driven mindset: uses research and analytics to support positions and measure performance
• Builder mentality—energized by standing up new processes, teams, and systems

Preferred

• Background in outdoor recreation, natural resources, public safety, or environmental sectors
• Experience working within or selling to state/provincial government agencies
• Has co-developed a campaign or program with a government partner
• Familiarity with education, training, or compliance program procurement by government entities
• Experience building coalition strategies that delivered measurable policy or market outcomes

Benefits

• We are a fully distributed company – unless specifically indicated in the job description, this is a work from home position
• Employer matched 401(k)
• Medical/Dental/Vision insurance with generous employer contributions (including HSA)
• Maternity and Paternity leave and benefits
• Three weeks of paid vacation, 12 paid holidays, a paid community service day, and a flexible work schedule
• Annual wellness allowance, as well as a paid mental health day once a year for when you need it
• Automatic WFH contribution to each paycheck
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)