DIRECTOR OF STATE AND LOCAL AFFAIRS

Reports to:    Senior Vice President for Government Affairs
Type:     Full Time (In Office & Remote) – required three days in the Washington, DC or Herndon, VA office
Updated:      January 2025

Position Overview:
NAIOP, the Commercial Real Estate Development Association based in Herndon, Virginia, is seeking a director of state and local affairs. This position works closely with the Associate Vice President of State and Local Affairs and the Senior Vice President for Government Affairs to counsel and support the public policy objectives of NAIOP’s 54 U.S. and Canadian chapters at the state, provincial, and local levels. 

NAIOP, the Commercial Real Estate Development Association, is the leading organization for developers, owners and investors of office, industrial, retail, and mixed-use real estate. NAIOP comprises 22,000+ members and provides strong advocacy, education, and business opportunities through a powerful North American network.

Primary Responsibilities:
•    Monitor, research, and analyze state and local policies to effectively advance and protect member interests on a variety of commercial real estate (CRE) related issues. 
•    Work closely with the Associate Vice President of State and Local Affairs to evaluate proposed legislation that may impact commercial real estate and play a strategic role in developing policy positions of importance to NAIOP and its chapters. 
•    Prepare regular written communications that educate and inform both NAIOP members and policymakers of the relevant state and local issues impacting commercial real estate. 
•    Create and maintain a new state/provincial/local resource repository to facilitate member knowledge of critical commercial real estate issues occurring in states, provinces, and municipalities. Work to proactively engage members and chapter staff to utilize this resource.
•    Develop and maintain relationships with chapter leadership, committees, and staff.
•    Represent NAIOP and the Government Affairs Department at chapter events, including legislative “Days at the State/Provincial Capitol.”
•    Staff and support the state and local subcommittee, the state and local advisory task force, and the Canadian government affairs committee. 
•    Participate and manage state, provincial, and local coalitions at the national level. 
•    Serve as a liaison between NAIOP headquarters and its chapters on U.S. federal matters.

Qualifications:
•    Minimum of four years of association, government, and/or comparable corporate advocacy experience. 
•    Bachelor's degree in public policy, political science, government relations or related field.
•    Familiarity with the state and local legislative process; familiarity with the provincial legislative process a plus. 
•    Demonstrated attention to detail and organizational skills.
•    Ability to think strategically in developing and executing advocacy projects and positions. 
•    Professional demeanor and exceptional interpersonal skills, including the ability to work effectively and collaborate with members, colleagues, and vendors at all levels.
•    Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite.
•    Ability to travel approximately 30% to chapter legislative events and NAIOP conferences. 
•    Hybrid work schedule, with a required three days per week in NAIOP’s Washington, DC or Herndon, VA office. 

Additional Responsibilities:
•    Participate actively and cooperatively on government affairs team, including participating actively in regular team meetings and strategy sessions.
•    Performs other duties as assigned based on the needs of the Association.

Supervises:
•    No supervisory responsibilities.

About NAIOP

NAIOP, the Commercial Real Estate Development Association, is the leading organization for developers, owners and related professionals in office, industrial and mixed-use real estate. NAIOP provides unparalleled industry networking and education, and advocates for effective legislation on behalf of our members. NAIOP advances responsible, sustainable development that creates jobs and benefits the communities in which our members work and live. For more information, visit www.naiop.org.

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