State Lobbyist and Government Affairs Manager
Position Overview
Equality Kansas is seeking a strategic, passionate, and resilient State Lobbyist & Government Affairs Manager to lead our legislative advocacy program at the state capitol. As our primary representative to state lawmakers, executive agencies, and coalition partners, you will draft, track, and lobby for pro-LGBTQ+ policies while fiercely defending the community against discriminatory legislation.
This role requires a sharp political mind, superb relationship-building skills, and a deep commitment to intersectional LGBTQ+ equality.
Key Responsibilities
Equality Kansas is seeking a strategic, passionate, and resilient State Lobbyist & Government Affairs Manager to lead our legislative advocacy program at the state capitol. As our primary representative to state lawmakers, executive agencies, and coalition partners, you will draft, track, and lobby for pro-LGBTQ+ policies while fiercely defending the community against discriminatory legislation.
This role requires a sharp political mind, superb relationship-building skills, and a deep commitment to intersectional LGBTQ+ equality.
Key Responsibilities
- Legislative Advocacy & Lobbying: Serve as the registered lobbyist for the organization. Build and maintain trusted relationships with state legislators, committee staff, and executive officials from all political backgrounds.
- Policy Analysis & Bill Tracking: Actively monitor, analyze, and track all introduced bills affecting LGBTQ+ individuals. Draft proactive legislation, amendments, policy briefs, and formal testimony for legislative hearings.
- Coalition Building: Convene and collaborate with local, state, and national civil rights, reproductive justice, and labor organizations to amplify collective power. [
- Community & Stakeholder Mobilization: Translate complex legislative text into actionable information for the public. Partner with communications teams to build digital campaigns, distribute legislative scorecards, and coordinate community advocacy days at the Capitol.
- Compliance & Reporting: Manage all state lobbying compliance, including registering annually and submitting accurate, timely ethics disclosures and expense reports.
- Experience writing grants, provide examples if available.
- Experience: Minimum of 3–5 years of professional experience in state-level
- Issue Expertise: Strong familiarity with current LGBTQ+ policy areas, including healthcare access, non-discrimination protections, transgender rights, and youth safety.
- Communication Skills: Outstanding persuasive writing and public speaking skills. Ability to explain complex legal or legislative concepts cleanly to press and public stakeholders.
- Political Acumen: Comprehensive understanding of the state legislative process, committee structures, and political dynamics.
- Availability: Flexibility to work long or non-traditional hours, including evenings and weekends, during the peak active legislative session.
- Degree in Public Policy (MPP), Public Administration (MPA), Political Science
- Existing, bipartisan relationships within the state legislature and executive branches.
- This is a contract position. Selectee will sign a contract for employment with Equality Kansas for a period of 1 January 2027 through 31 December 2027 with peak period of January through June of 2027.
- Insurance and Taxes will be the responsibility of the selectee.
Job Type: Full Time
Salary Range: $50,000 - 74,999
