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Executive Director of Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs

Date Posted: Oct 7, 2025

Requisition ID: 466624

Location:

Indianapolis, IN, US, 46204

Work for Indiana

Begin a fulfilling career with the State of Indiana by joining one of the largest employers in the state, offering a range of opportunities across 60+ agencies. At the state, you'll find competitive compensation, a robust benefits package and a commitment to work-life balance. Most importantly, you'll have the chance to make a real and measurable impact on the lives of Hoosiers across Indiana.

Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM):

Our mission is to implement federal and state regulations to protect human health and the environment while allowing the environmentally sound operations of industrial, agricultural, commercial, and governmental activities vital to a prosperous economy. We issue air, water, and solid and hazardous waste permits that restrict discharges to environmentally safe levels. Staff members inspect and monitor regulated entities; provide compliance and technical assistance; monitor and assess air, land, and water quality; use enforcement actions as necessary to ensure compliance; and respond to incidents involving spills to soil or waters of the state.

Role Overview:

The purpose of this position is to lead the agency's engagement with legislative and regulatory bodies, protect state autonomy within a cooperative federalism framework and develop legislative strategy to support agency's operations, programs and long-term goals.

Objectives of this position:

- Monitor and analyze legislation and regulations at the state and federal levels to asses impact on agency operations

- Develop and communicate policy positions with various audiences including the General Assembly, Federal agencies, state agencies, and local government officials.

- Prepare briefing, testimony, comment letters and memos for various audiences including Senior Leadership, Governor's office, General Assembly, Federal agencies, state agencies and local government agencies.

- Prepare and oversee agency response to Federal laws and regulations pertaining to environmental policy

- Conduct research and provide recommendations on policy, rules or regulations.

- Support long-term planning by integrating government affairs strategy into agency operations and initiatives.

- Develop and execute comprehensive government relations strategies at the state, regional, and local levels.

- Build and maintain strong relationships with elected officials, legislative staff, regulatory bodies, and community stakeholders.

- Coordinate cross-functional efforts to communicate the agency's positions and priorities to external partners and internal leadership.

- Supervise constituent correspondence and casework from legislative contacts and the public.

- Advise the Commissioner, Chief of Staff and executive leadership on emerging political risks, opportunities, and strategic engagement.

-Serve as a liaison between the agency and other State agencies, local government agencies, elected officials, Federal agencies, internal leadership and stakeholders for communication, decision-making, training opportunities and escalation management.

Goals of this position:

-To build strategic relationships with key stakeholders.

-To shape agency public policy positions.

-To support long-term planning and align government affairs strategies with agency's broader goals.

-To ensure alignment between state and federal priorities.

-To encourage team collaboration and engagement, and provide opportunities for personal development, training and coaching.

Experience Required: Extensive experience in government relations or public policy, including legislative advocacy, regulatory analysis, or political strategy. Experience understanding environmental regulations and policy frameworks, including federal and state-level environmental legislation. Experience with interpreting complex policy or technical information and translating it into persuasive policy positions. Excellent public speaking skills, written and oral communication skills required. Ability to manage multiple duties and tasks within time limitations.

Salary Statement:

The salary for this position traditionally starts at $93,002.00 but may be commensurate with education or work experience.

A Day in the Life:

The essential functions of this role are as follows:

+ Coordinate, develop, and oversee agency legislative matters.

+ Negotiate language with stakeholders and bill authors.

+ Prioritize and manage legislative issues.

+ Maintain relationships with House and Senate staff.

+ Serve as the main point of contact for legislators, including working with legislators and their staff on constituent inquiries.

+ Advise lead team members on legislative strategy.

+ Run the agency’s legislative agenda.

+ Monitor all legislation and legislative committees impacting the agency.

+ Manage bill review process for staff.

+ Assist with ensuring strategic workforce vision aligns with administration.

+ Ensure stakeholders follow assigned responsibilities.

+ Represent the agency in a variety of situations with other state agencies, the legislature, institutions, the general public and special interest groups.

+ Maintain confidentiality in discussing sensitive organizational matters and issues.

+ Ensure progress and satisfaction of all required tasks.

+ Recruit, select, onboard, and train employees to ensure role responsibilities and expectations are clearly understood while providing opportunities to continue professional development.

+ Set expectations, measure progress, provide ongoing feedback, and evaluate the performance of employees. Ensure work adheres to quality standards, deadlines, and proper procedures.

The job profile is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Other duties, responsibilities and activities may change or be assigned at any time with or without notice.

This position is exempt from overtime compensation for additional work hours which may be required to complete essential functions or other assigned work. Exempt employees may work more than 75 hours in a pay period without additional compensation and must report a minimum of 75 hours per pay period of work hours and/or paid leave taken to receive their base biweekly salary.

What You'll Need for Success:

You must meet the following requirements to be considered for employment:

+ Extensive knowledge of the theories, principles, practices and methodology of statutes, regulations and policies involving workforce development.

+ Working knowledge of department charge and programs.

+ Thorough knowledge of state government agency structures and legislature.

+ Ability to be creative in developing alternatives to meet agency needs.

+ Ability to communicate complex theories and principles to a broad spectrum, both verbally and in writing.

+ Ability to maintain cooperative work relationships.

+ Willingness and ability to adjust to change as the agencies may have needs arise that will require flexibility.

+ Close attention to detail coupled with the ability to exercise good judgment.

+ Strong organizational, oral, and written communication, and interpersonal skills.

+ Proactive nature. able to anticipate conflicts before they arise.

+ Ability to work well independently as well as collaboratively.

+ Ability to handle calls and emails with professionalism, courtesy, and accuracy.

+ Ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines.

+ Ability to communicate effectively and maintain positive relationships with staff throughout the agencies.

+ Ability to effectively allocate and prioritize time to several tasks to ensure completion of all.

+ Ability to delegate work, set clear direction, and manage workflow.

+ Ability to effectively give feedback, provide guidance or corrective action, coach, and develop employee skillsets.

+ Able to perform essential functions with or without reasonable accommodation.

Supervisory Responsibilities/Direct Reports:

This role may provide direct supervision for one or more staff members.

Benefits of Employment with the State of Indiana:

The State of Indiana offers a comprehensive benefit package for full-time employees which includes:

+ Three (3) medical plan options (including RX coverage) as well as vision and dental plans

+ Wellness Rewards Program: Complete wellness activities to earn gift card rewards

+ Health savings account, which includes bi-weekly state contribution

+ Deferred compensation 457(b) account (similar to 401(k) plan) with employer match

+ Two (2) fully-funded pension plan options

+ A robust, comprehensive program of leave policies covering a variety of employee needs, including but not limited to:

+ 150 hours of paid New Parent Leave and up to eight weeks of paid Childbirth Recovery Leave for eligible mothers

+ Up to 15 hours of paid community service leave

+ Combined 180 hours of paid vacation, personal, and sick leave time off

+ 12 paid holidays, 14 on election years

+ Education Reimbursement Program

+ Group life insurance

+ Referral Bonus program

+ Employee assistance program that allows for covered behavioral health visits

+ Qualified employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program

+ Free Parking for most positions

+ Free LinkedIn Learning access

Equal Employment Opportunity:

The State of Indiana is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to recruiting, selecting, developing, and promoting employees based on individual ability and job performance. Reasonable accommodations may be available to enable individuals with disabilities to complete the application and interview process as well as perform the essential functions of a role. If you require reasonable accommodations to complete this application, you can request assistance by contacting the Indiana State Personnel Department at [email protected].

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