State and Local Affairs Lead, West
About this role
Engaging directly with state legislators, governors' offices, attorneys general, and local governments across the Western United States forms the foundation of daily operations for this role. Operating within the policy team, the person in this position will advance AI policy, legislation, and regulation that supports the creation of safe and beneficial AI systems. Regular travel across the region is required to manage external relationships, oversee outside lobbyists, and represent the organization at legislative hearings and public forums in close coordination with legal, communications, and executive leadership.
Anthropic functions as a research lab, policy think-tank, and technology startup focused on building reliable and interpretable AI systems. The state affairs team engages government stakeholders through proactive, substantive policy conversations grounded in honest assessments of technological trajectories. Ideal candidates bring a strong track record of political strategy, existing relationships with Western regional leaders, and the ability to translate complex technical research into clear strategies for diverse political environments.
What you will do
- Manage government affairs across multiple Western states while coordinating closely with regional colleagues and leadership.
- Build and maintain direct relationships with state legislators, legislative staff, governors' offices, and attorneys general.
- Engage with local officials including mayors, city councils, county commissions, and economic development boards.
- Track regulatory proceedings and legislation affecting the technology sector to provide intelligence for company strategy.
- Represent the organization at public forums, regional events, and legislative hearings.
- Coordinate with communications teams to draft accurate messaging for regional policy campaigns and external stakeholders.
- Supervise outside advisors and registered lobbyists supporting regional policy objectives.
What you need
- Demonstrate a proven background in state and local government affairs, legislative roles, or political strategy.
- Possess existing professional relationships with municipal, county, or state leaders in the Western United States.
- Understand legislative and regulatory procedures, committee processes, and the boundaries of local authority.
- Show a history of executing strategic objectives and securing measurable outcomes in government affairs.
- Commit to regular travel across the assigned region to meet with stakeholders and attend events.
Nice to have
- Have 8+ years of experience in state and local government affairs, political strategy, or legislative roles
- Experience building partnerships with external organizations including chambers of commerce and labor groups
- Exposure to technology policy or emerging technology regulation
Benefits
- Visa sponsorship available with dedicated legal support
Questions candidates ask
What is the remote and office work policy?
Staff are expected to be in one of the offices at least 25% of the time, though some roles may require more frequent in-office presence.
What is the compensation range for this position?
The annual base salary range for this role is between $230,000 and $265,000 USD.
Is visa sponsorship provided for this role?
Yes, visa sponsorship is available and the company retains an immigration lawyer to assist successful candidates with the process.