State Director

Position Summary

The State Director will serve as the primary strategist and representative of the organization in state, focusing on cultivating and maintaining relationships with key business, political, and community leaders at the federal, state, and local levels. This role requires a seasoned professional with extensive experience in strategic relationship-building, fundraising, and media engagement.

The State Director will play a vital role in advancing the organization’s mission by leveraging a deep understanding of the state’s political and business landscape. The ideal candidate will possess pre-existing connections with key influencers across the state and have a proven ability to represent the organization effectively in public forums and media outlets.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Relationship Development

•Build, nurture, and maintain relationships with business leaders, elected officials, community organizations, and key influencers across the state.

•Serve as the primary representative of the organization to external stakeholders, ensuring alignment between the organization’s mission and stakeholder priorities.

•Collaborate with state and national stakeholders to foster coalitions, partnerships, and alliances that amplify the organization’s influence and reach.

•Actively engage with potential allies and donors to secure support for the organization’s initiatives.

Fundraising and Resource Development

•Leverage pre-existing relationships with potential donors to raise funds in support of the organization’s mission and programs.

•Maintain strong relationships with existing donors, ensuring consistent communication and recognition of their contributions.

Advocacy and Media Engagement

•Act as the public face of the organization in state, including participating in media interviews, public forums, and panel discussions.

•Communicate the organization’s mission, values, and initiatives effectively to diverse audiences, including business leaders, elected officials, and the general public.

•Collaborate with the communications team to craft compelling messages, press releases, and outreach materials.

Organizational Leadership

•Responsible for the management and support of all staff within the state operation.

•Responsible for the management an implementation of growing and cultivating CFFE “members”.

•Provide strategic guidance on state-level priorities to the National Field Director and senior leadership.

•Develop and implement strategies to advance the organization’s mission and objectives within the state.

•Ensure that the organization’s efforts align with state and national goals, fostering synergy across teams and initiatives.

Minimum Qualifications

•Extensive experience building and maintaining relationships with political, business, and community leaders.

•Proven track record of successful fundraising, including cultivating donor relationships and securing financial commitments.

•Deep knowledge of the states political and business landscape, with established connections to key influencers across the state.

•Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to represent the organization persuasively in public and media settings.

•Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to balance competing priorities.

•Experience managing political campaigns or large-scale field operations.

•Self-motivated and capable of operating independently while maintaining strong communication with the National Field Director and senior leadership.

Preferred Qualifications

•Experience in policy advocacy, lobbying, or coalition-building at the state or federal level.

•Familiarity with the principles of free enterprise and a commitment to advancing them.

•Experience working in media relations or public communications, with comfort engaging in live media appearances.

•Prior experience working with or leading non-profit, advocacy, or political organizations.