Director of Government Relations Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship
Director of Government Relations roles sit at the intersection of policy expertise and stakeholder influence, making them strong candidates for H-1B visa specialty occupation sponsorship. Employers in this space actively file LCAs, and candidates with advanced degrees in public policy, law, or political science have a clear path to sponsorship.
Find Director of Government Relations JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 10+ Director of Government Relations jobs
See all Director of Government Relations Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Director of Government Relations roles.
Get Access To All JobsPosition Type
Full Time
Location
Annapolis, MD, United States
Job ID
MARYL003333
Position Summary:
The Maryland Government Relations Director serves as the principal staff for state government affairs and chief lobbyist in Maryland, representing the Alzheimer’s Association before Maryland’s legislature, governor, relevant state agencies, coalitions and community partners, and on statewide task forces and work groups. This position serves as a registered lobbyist with the state and is responsible for developing and executing a strategy to implement the Alzheimer’s Association’s coordinated nationwide state policy priorities including issues related to insurance coverage, Medicaid, long-term care, training standards, workforce issues, aging policy, and other related issues. The Maryland State Government Relations Director reports to the Territory Government Relations Director.
This role is right for you if:
- Plan and execute a multi-year state legislative and regulatory agenda with a focus on implementation of the Association's state policy priorities, in collaboration with the National Office.
- Draft bills and regulatory language and secure bill sponsors.
- Testify regularly before state legislative committees and train volunteer advocates and other Association staff to provide testimony on behalf of the Association as needed.
- Develop and grow relationships with legislators, state government officials and community stakeholders, ensuring the Association is represented on relevant statewide task forces, workgroups, committees and coalitions.
- Track state legislation utilizing the Association’s approved tracking system and monitor committee meetings and legislative action.
- Report lobbying activities as required and ensure compliance with the Association’s approved lobbying compliance vendor and internal tracking system.
- Collaborate with the local Grassroots Advocacy Manager to plan and execute the Association’s annual State Advocacy Day event at the state capitol.
- Identify opportunities for grassroots engagement on state issues and assist as needed in the execution of state-level advocacy activities, including coordinating office visits, correspondence, and other activities.
- Provide regular updates to the state Chapter Executive and other functional leaders; prepare reports and presentations for Chapter Board meetings and community events as requested.
- Collaborate with Association staff across the state chapter regularly to advance mission priorities and provide policy expertise.
- Participate in major events hosted by the state Chapter including Walk, galas, etc.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree required.
- At least 5 years experience working in state government affairs setting; as a state legislative staff person; or as policy staff in the governor’s office or relevant state agency, preferably in Maryland.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Has current contacts within the state legislature and executive branch, and with potential partners and collaborators in Maryland.
- Understands, and has experience with the legislative, regulatory, and budget process in Maryland.
- Familiar with Medicaid, aging, health, drug coverage, and long-term care issues.
- Demonstrates the ability to anticipate, identify, organize, and analyze public policy opportunities.
- Possess excellent written and oral communications skills.
- Detail-oriented, adaptable, organized and able to successfully manage multiple projects and tasks.
- Proven self-starter with excellent judgment and careful attention to detail.
- Strong negotiation skills.
- Ability to work effectively with diverse populations with a high level of integrity, diplomacy and initiative.
- Must possess a valid driver’s license, good driving record, access to a reliable vehicle and proof of automobile insurance.
Title: State Government Relations Director
Position Location: Annapolis, Maryland
Full time, based on working 37.5 hours/week
Position Grade & Compensation: Grade 309
The Alzheimer's Association’s good faith expectation for the salary range for this role is between $110,000-$120,000
Reports To: Territory State Government Relations Director
Who We Are:
The Alzheimer’s Association is the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer’s care, support and research. Our mission is to lead the way to end Alzheimer's and all other dementia– by accelerating global research, driving risk reduction and early detection, and maximizing quality care and support.
The Alzheimer’s Association announced a landmark $100 million investment in research for 2023. This unparalleled commitment is illustrative of the momentum we are building in dementia research — our investments today will lead to breakthroughs tomorrow.
At the Alzheimer’s Association, our employees are at the core of all we do. Our network of more than 1,900 employees across the United States makes a difference each and every day for those impacted by Alzheimer’s and those at risk for the disease.
We warmly invite qualified applicants to consider this opportunity to make a life-changing impact on the millions living with Alzheimer’s, their caregivers and those that may develop the disease in the future. Read on to learn more about the role, then visit our website to explore who we are and why we've been recognized as a Best Place to Work for the last twelve years in a row.
At the Alzheimer's Association®, we believe that diverse perspectives are critical to achieving health equity — meaning that all communities have a fair and just opportunity for early diagnosis and access to risk reduction and quality care. The Association is committed to engaging underrepresented and underserved communities and responding with resources and education to address the disproportionate impact of Alzheimer’s and dementia.
The Alzheimer’s Association commitment remains steadfast in engaging all communities in our full mission. The Association provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment to the fullest extent required by law, including, but not limited to, on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, gender identity, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, or any other legally protected characteristic.
Employees working 24 hours/week or more are eligible for a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, flex accounts, short and long-term disability, life insurance, long term care insurance, tuition reimbursement, generous Paid Time Off, 12 annual holidays and Paid Family Leave, as well as an annual Cultural & Heritage Day and Volunteer Day of their choosing. They are also eligible for our gold standard 401(k) retirement plan.
Full time employees (37.5 hours/week), will enjoy all of the above plus an annual School Visitation Day and an Elder Care Facility Day of their choosing.
Position Type
Full Time
Location
Annapolis, MD, United States
Job ID
MARYL003333
Position Summary:
The Maryland Government Relations Director serves as the principal staff for state government affairs and chief lobbyist in Maryland, representing the Alzheimer’s Association before Maryland’s legislature, governor, relevant state agencies, coalitions and community partners, and on statewide task forces and work groups. This position serves as a registered lobbyist with the state and is responsible for developing and executing a strategy to implement the Alzheimer’s Association’s coordinated nationwide state policy priorities including issues related to insurance coverage, Medicaid, long-term care, training standards, workforce issues, aging policy, and other related issues. The Maryland State Government Relations Director reports to the Territory Government Relations Director.
This role is right for you if:
- Plan and execute a multi-year state legislative and regulatory agenda with a focus on implementation of the Association's state policy priorities, in collaboration with the National Office.
- Draft bills and regulatory language and secure bill sponsors.
- Testify regularly before state legislative committees and train volunteer advocates and other Association staff to provide testimony on behalf of the Association as needed.
- Develop and grow relationships with legislators, state government officials and community stakeholders, ensuring the Association is represented on relevant statewide task forces, workgroups, committees and coalitions.
- Track state legislation utilizing the Association’s approved tracking system and monitor committee meetings and legislative action.
- Report lobbying activities as required and ensure compliance with the Association’s approved lobbying compliance vendor and internal tracking system.
- Collaborate with the local Grassroots Advocacy Manager to plan and execute the Association’s annual State Advocacy Day event at the state capitol.
- Identify opportunities for grassroots engagement on state issues and assist as needed in the execution of state-level advocacy activities, including coordinating office visits, correspondence, and other activities.
- Provide regular updates to the state Chapter Executive and other functional leaders; prepare reports and presentations for Chapter Board meetings and community events as requested.
- Collaborate with Association staff across the state chapter regularly to advance mission priorities and provide policy expertise.
- Participate in major events hosted by the state Chapter including Walk, galas, etc.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree required.
- At least 5 years experience working in state government affairs setting; as a state legislative staff person; or as policy staff in the governor’s office or relevant state agency, preferably in Maryland.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Has current contacts within the state legislature and executive branch, and with potential partners and collaborators in Maryland.
- Understands, and has experience with the legislative, regulatory, and budget process in Maryland.
- Familiar with Medicaid, aging, health, drug coverage, and long-term care issues.
- Demonstrates the ability to anticipate, identify, organize, and analyze public policy opportunities.
- Possess excellent written and oral communications skills.
- Detail-oriented, adaptable, organized and able to successfully manage multiple projects and tasks.
- Proven self-starter with excellent judgment and careful attention to detail.
- Strong negotiation skills.
- Ability to work effectively with diverse populations with a high level of integrity, diplomacy and initiative.
- Must possess a valid driver’s license, good driving record, access to a reliable vehicle and proof of automobile insurance.
Title: State Government Relations Director
Position Location: Annapolis, Maryland
Full time, based on working 37.5 hours/week
Position Grade & Compensation: Grade 309
The Alzheimer's Association’s good faith expectation for the salary range for this role is between $110,000-$120,000
Reports To: Territory State Government Relations Director
Who We Are:
The Alzheimer’s Association is the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer’s care, support and research. Our mission is to lead the way to end Alzheimer's and all other dementia– by accelerating global research, driving risk reduction and early detection, and maximizing quality care and support.
The Alzheimer’s Association announced a landmark $100 million investment in research for 2023. This unparalleled commitment is illustrative of the momentum we are building in dementia research — our investments today will lead to breakthroughs tomorrow.
At the Alzheimer’s Association, our employees are at the core of all we do. Our network of more than 1,900 employees across the United States makes a difference each and every day for those impacted by Alzheimer’s and those at risk for the disease.
We warmly invite qualified applicants to consider this opportunity to make a life-changing impact on the millions living with Alzheimer’s, their caregivers and those that may develop the disease in the future. Read on to learn more about the role, then visit our website to explore who we are and why we've been recognized as a Best Place to Work for the last twelve years in a row.
At the Alzheimer's Association®, we believe that diverse perspectives are critical to achieving health equity — meaning that all communities have a fair and just opportunity for early diagnosis and access to risk reduction and quality care. The Association is committed to engaging underrepresented and underserved communities and responding with resources and education to address the disproportionate impact of Alzheimer’s and dementia.
The Alzheimer’s Association commitment remains steadfast in engaging all communities in our full mission. The Association provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment to the fullest extent required by law, including, but not limited to, on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, gender identity, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, or any other legally protected characteristic.
Employees working 24 hours/week or more are eligible for a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, flex accounts, short and long-term disability, life insurance, long term care insurance, tuition reimbursement, generous Paid Time Off, 12 annual holidays and Paid Family Leave, as well as an annual Cultural & Heritage Day and Volunteer Day of their choosing. They are also eligible for our gold standard 401(k) retirement plan.
Full time employees (37.5 hours/week), will enjoy all of the above plus an annual School Visitation Day and an Elder Care Facility Day of their choosing.
See all Director of Government Relations Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Director of Government Relations roles.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Director of Government Relations Jobs
Frame your degree for specialty occupation
H-1B eligibility requires a bachelor's or higher in a directly related field. A degree in public policy, political science, law, or international relations ties directly to this role. Reframe a broader degree by documenting coursework that maps to government relations functions.
Research agencies with active LCA history
Target employers who have already certified LCAs for public affairs or government affairs titles through DOL. Trade associations, lobbying firms, and large regulated industries like energy, healthcare, and finance file consistently for this role and understand the sponsorship process.
Use Migrate Mate to find verified sponsors
Search Migrate Mate for employers with confirmed LCA filing history for government relations positions. This cuts out the guesswork of cold-applying to organizations that have never sponsored, letting you focus your outreach on employers already familiar with the process.
Get a prevailing wage determination early
Your employer needs a certified LCA before filing your H-1B petition with USCIS. Run your job title and work location through the OFLC Wage Search to understand which wage level applies, since government relations directors often land at Level III or IV, affecting offer negotiations.
Address dual intent carefully if you hold TN status
TN visa holders can't demonstrate immigrant intent, so transitioning to H-1B for a Director of Government Relations role requires careful timing. File the H-1B change of status before your TN expires and avoid any public statements about permanent residency plans during the transition period.
Prepare for PERM if your employer wants permanency
Many organizations sponsoring senior government relations hires pursue EB-2 green cards through PERM labor certification. Gather documentation of your specialized experience now, since PERM audits for policy roles often scrutinize whether your qualifications are genuinely distinct from available U.S. workers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Director of Government Relations role qualify as a specialty occupation for H-1B?
Yes, in most cases. USCIS evaluates whether the role normally requires at least a bachelor's degree in a specific field. Director of Government Relations positions that require policy analysis, regulatory expertise, or legislative strategy typically qualify, particularly when the employer documents that a degree in public policy, law, or political science is a standard requirement for the role.
Which visa types do employers typically use to sponsor Directors of Government Relations?
H-1B is the most common path, covering specialty occupation workers in professional policy and affairs roles. Candidates from Australia may qualify for the E-3 visa, which has no lottery and renews every two years. TN visa status is not available for this role, as government relations director is not on the USMCA profession list. Employers pursuing permanent placement often follow H-1B with an EB-2 green card through PERM.
How do I find employers who sponsor visas for government relations directors?
Migrate Mate lists employers with verified LCA filing history for government affairs and public policy roles, so you can target organizations that have already sponsored candidates in this category. Industries with heavy regulatory exposure, including healthcare, energy, financial services, and defense contracting, are the most active sponsors for Director of Government Relations positions.
Does a three-year Australian bachelor's degree satisfy the H-1B specialty occupation requirement?
USCIS generally accepts a three-year Australian bachelor's degree as equivalent to a U.S. four-year degree for specialty occupation purposes, but this equivalency should be documented through a credential evaluation from a recognized evaluation service. If your degree is in a directly relevant field like public policy or political science, the evaluation strengthens your petition and reduces the risk of a Request for Evidence.
Can a Director of Government Relations position be sponsored if the employer is a nonprofit or trade association?
Yes. Nonprofits and trade associations are among the most active sponsors for government relations roles because regulatory advocacy is core to their mission. Some nonprofits qualify as cap-exempt H-1B employers, which means your petition bypasses the annual lottery entirely. Check with your employer whether they meet cap-exempt criteria under USCIS guidelines before assuming a lottery slot is required.
What is the prevailing wage requirement for sponsored Director of Government Relations jobs?
U.S. employers sponsoring a visa must pay at least the prevailing wage, which is what workers in the same role, area, and experience level typically earn. The Department of Labor sets this rate to make sure companies aren't hiring foreign workers simply because they'd accept lower pay than a U.S. worker. It varies by job title, location, and experience. You can look up current prevailing wage rates for any occupation and location using the OFLC Wage Search page.