Director of Government Relations (NCS) - Mayor''''s Office

THIS IS A NON-CIVIL SERVICE POSITION

Salary Range:

$137,909.00 - $227,648.00 Annually

Hiring Salary Range:

$137,909.00 - $182,778.50 Annually

Get to Know Us

Welcome to the City of Baltimore! Experience the reward of a fulfilling career and enjoy the added element of excitement in a vibrant, diverse atmosphere. The City of Baltimore offers limitless opportunities to help drive social impact, both on the job and in the community, while serving its citizens. Join us in making Baltimore a great place to live and work. In the City of Baltimore, we hire great people and provide them with the skills and opportunities to grow toward their career aspirations. If you are looking for a career change or are interested in learning more, explore our opportunities and benefits programs. We are excited to have you as a part of the City of Baltimore Team! The city offers medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, optional life, AD&D, and FSA plans. This office also supplies wellness programs, support groups, and workshops. You can learn about our benefits here: https://humanresources.baltimorecity.gov/hr-divisions/benefits

Job Summary

The Director of Government Relations serves as a member of the Mayor's Cabinet and Executive Team and is the mayor's chief advisor on legislative and intergovernmental affairs. Reporting to the Chief of Staff, the Director develops and executes the Administration's policy strategy, advances the Mayor's legislative priorities before the Baltimore City Council, the Maryland General Assembly, Congress, and other governmental bodies, and cultivates strong relationships with elected officials and key stakeholders. The Director leads the Office of Government Relations and works collaboratively with the Mayor, Chief of Staff, Chief Administrative Officer, Deputy Chief of Staff, Deputy Mayors, Senior Advisors, Cabinet agencies, and external partners to develop and implement a proactive legislative and policy agenda that advances the Mayor's vision for Baltimore. The successful candidate is an accomplished strategist, skilled negotiator, exceptional relationship builder, and trusted advisor with strong political judgment, deep knowledge of the legislative process, and a commitment to public service.

Essential Functions

Executive Leadership

• Serve as a member of the Mayor's Cabinet and Executive Team.
• Advise the Mayor, Chief of Staff, and Executive Team on legislative strategy, political dynamics, intergovernmental affairs, and emerging public policy issues.
• Develop recommendations regarding legislative and policy priorities, negotiations, executive action, and governmental partnerships.
• Represent the Mayor's Office before elected officials, governmental agencies, external organizations, and public bodies as assigned.
• Provide strategic counsel regarding legislative, regulatory, budgetary, and political developments affecting Baltimore City.
• Serve as the Administration's principal strategist for public policy, legislative affairs, and intergovernmental relations.

Legislative Strategy

• Develop and execute the mayor's annual legislative agenda.
• Lead legislative strategy before the Baltimore City Council, Maryland General Assembly, Congress, and other governmental entities.
• Coordinate the drafting, review, and advancement of legislation, amendments, executive testimony, resolutions, and policy proposals.
• Develop legislative strategies that advance Administration priorities while protecting the City's operational and fiscal interests.
• Monitor legislation, budgets, and regulatory actions affecting Baltimore City and recommend appropriate executive action.
• Coordinate legislative priorities across Cabinet agencies to ensure a unified Administration position.

Intergovernmental Relations

• Lead the Administration's relationships with the Baltimore City Council, the Governor's Office, the Maryland General Assembly, Maryland's Congressional Delegation, neighboring jurisdictions, federal agencies, and regional governmental organizations.
• Coordinate executive-level engagement with elected officials and governmental partners.
• Build relationships that strengthen Baltimore City's ability to accomplish its legislative priorities.
• Represent the Mayor during legislative negotiations, hearings, committee meetings, budget discussions, and other governmental proceedings.
• Identify opportunities for strategic partnerships with governmental entities that advance the mayor's agenda.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Build coalitions that support the mayor's legislative and policy priorities.
• Coordinate stakeholder outreach related to major legislative initiatives, budget priorities, and executive proposals.
• Prepare stakeholder engagement strategies, briefing materials, and outreach plans for executive leadership.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen partnerships, resolve concerns, and build consensus among diverse constituencies.
• Coordinate cross-functional follow-up to ensure commitments made by the Mayor's Office are communicated and implemented.

Policy Development

• Partner with Cabinet agencies to develop legislative proposals that support the mayor's policy agenda.
• Analyze proposed legislation and regulatory actions for policy, operational, legal, and fiscal impacts.
• Coordinate cross-agency review of legislative proposals.
• Develop policy recommendations, executive briefings, and implementation strategies.
• Ensure legislative priorities align with the mayor's strategic goals and operational objectives.

Executive Communications

• Prepare legislative briefings, testimony, memoranda, presentations, correspondence, and talking points for the mayor and senior leadership.
• Ensure the Mayor and Executive Team remain informed of legislative developments, political considerations, and emerging issues.
• Coordinate closely with the Mayor's Communications Office to align legislative strategy with public messaging and external communications.

Leadership and Management

• Lead and supervise the Mayor's Office of Government Relations.
• Establish strategic priorities, performance expectations, and operational goals for the department.
• Foster a collaborative, innovative, high-performing, and service-oriented culture.
• Mentor staff and promote professional development, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Manage departmental resources responsibly and ensure efficient execution of the Office's responsibilities.
• Crisis Response
• Advise the Mayor and Executive Team regarding legislative and governmental considerations during emergencies and major incidents.
• Coordinate with governmental partners during emergency response and recovery efforts.
• Be available outside normal business hours during legislative sessions, emergencies, or other time-sensitive matters requiring executive leadership.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Mayor or Chief of Staff.

Minimum Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.

AND

Experience: Eight (8) or more years of progressively responsible leadership experience in government relations, legislative affairs, public policy, public administration, law, political strategy, or a related field. Demonstrated success developing, negotiating, and advancing complex legislative initiatives. Experience advising senior executives or elected officials. Experience leading teams and managing complex cross-functional initiatives. Exceptional written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills. Outstanding political judgment, diplomacy, negotiation, and consensus-building abilities.

Preferred Qualifications: Preferred· Juris Doctor, Master of Public Administration, Master of Public Policy, or another relevant graduate degree. Experience working in a mayor's office, governor's office, executive agency, legislative leadership office, Congress, or the Maryland General Assembly. Extensive knowledge of Baltimore City government, Maryland legislative processes, municipal finance, and state-local relations. Experience on political campaigns.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Develops and executes long-term strategies that advance the mayor's vision and policy agenda.
• Exercises sound judgment while navigating complex political, legislative, and governmental environments.
• Builds trust and credibility with elected officials, labor organizations, business leaders, community organizations, advocacy groups, and governmental partners.
• Delivers measurable legislative and policy outcomes while driving accountability and execution.
• Communicates effectively with diverse audiences through exceptional written, verbal, and interpersonal skills.
• Works effectively across Cabinet agencies and external partners to achieve shared objectives.
• Demonstrates the highest ethical standards, professionalism, discretion, and commitment to serving Baltimore residents.
• Leads effectively in fast-paced, high-pressure environments where priorities evolve rapidly.
• Representing the Mayor and the City of Baltimore with integrity, credibility, diplomacy, and sound judgment in all interactions with elected officials, governmental agencies, and external partners.
• Demonstrating measurable progress toward the mayor's strategic priorities through successful legislative outcomes, strengthened intergovernmental partnerships, and effective advocacy on behalf of Baltimore City.

Working Conditions: This position requires frequent evening and weekend work during legislative sessions, budget negotiations, public meetings, and official events. The Director must be available to respond to time-sensitive legislative matters, emergencies, and executive priorities outside of normal business hours.

Additional Information

Background Check

Eligible candidates under final consideration for appointment to positions identified as positions of trust will be required to complete authorization for a Criminal Background Check and/or Fingerprint screening, and must be successfully completed.

Probation

All persons, including current City employees, selected for this position must complete a 6-MONTH mandatory probation.

Financial Disclosure

This position is required to complete a Financial Disclosure pursuant to Sections 7-7, 7-8, and 7-9 of the City Ethics Law. The initial financial disclosure must be submitted within 30 days of hire.

Baltimore City Government is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, and we are committed to a workplace that values diversity, equity, and inclusion. The City of Baltimore prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, ancestry, creed, national origin, disability status, genetics, marital status, military service, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. Applicants requiring accommodation during the hiring process should contact the Department of Human Resources directly. Requests for accommodation should not be attached to the application.

BALTIMORE CITY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER