Deputy Director/Government Affairs Director

The Montana League of Cities and Towns (League) is actively recruiting for a Deputy Director/Government Affairs Director to assist in the overall management and oversight for the organization and to provide guidance and direction to the legislative and government affairs strategy for the League.

The League is an incorporated, nonpartisan, nonprofit association of Montana municipalities. Organized under a constitution originally adopted in 1931, the League has as its sole purpose the cooperative improvement of municipal government in Montana. It acts as a clearinghouse through which the municipalities cooperate for their mutual benefit. We provide resources, training, technical assistance, and advocacy to help our members build and maintain unique, vibrant, healthy, and safe communities. This is a great public service opportunity to work with and help local governments in Montana.

The Deputy Director/Government Affairs Director is responsible for the League’s government affairs function while serving as Deputy Director of the organization. This position will direct the development and execution of the League's legislative and government affairs strategy; draft legislation, conduct research, manage projects, and represent the League before the state legislature, various state agencies, elected officials, federal or federal agency representatives, and the private sector on various matters affecting municipalities for the benefit of the membership. The Deputy Director/Government Affairs Director will provide information, resources, training, and technical assistance to member municipal officials and staff on matters concerning compliance with local, state, and federal requirements. This position serves as a primary point of contact for intergovernmental relations with state and federal agencies, coalition partners, and affiliate organizations. This position will also assist the Executive Director, as requested, with projects, communications, initiatives, and administration of the organization, and serve in the Executive Director's capacity as requested.

Examples of the job duties for this position include:

Leadership

• Develop, lead, and continually refine the League’s overall government affairs and legislative strategy in coordination with the Executive Director and Board of Directors, including setting legislative priorities and coalition strategy each legislative interim and session.
• Serve as the League’s principal point of contact for intergovernmental relations with state and federal agencies, the Governor's office, legislative leadership, and affiliate and coalition organizations such as MACO and MMIA.
• Build, manage, and maintain coalitions of member cities, stakeholder groups, and strategic partners in support of League’s legislative and policy priorities.

Advocacy

• Monitor activities of legislature and state agencies in areas of responsibility. Advocate municipal policy positions before Legislature, state agencies, congressional contacts, and federal agencies by conducting lobbying, negotiating, testifying at hearings, writing letters, and occasionally serving on advisory committees established by legislators or by state agencies to develop or review state or federal legislation or agency rules.
• Draft legislation and track, review, and analyze proposed legislation and proposed agency rules. Plan and implement communication to strategic partners, lobbyists, and legislators regarding proposed legislation or agency rules. Draft amendments to proposed legislation and agency rules and plan and implement communication with membership on proposed and enacted legislation and agency rules.
• Develop and maintain a high level of substantive expertise in local government issue areas and requirements.

Outreach/Training

• Research, write, and revise information, resources, training, and technical assistance for member officials and staff, strategic partners, local, state, and federal elected officials and staff, the private sector, and the public. Review and edit similar documents prepared by other staff members.
• Respond to member inquiries and provide technical assistance to members.
• Represent the League before various organizations, groups of officials, and others by attending and/or speaking at meetings upon request in areas of responsibility and regarding League functions and activities.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree, preferably in political science, communications, public relations, public administration, or related field.
• Knowledge of state and federal laws, rules, regulations, and policies affecting municipalities in Montana.
• Knowledge of the Montana Legislative process.
• Extensive experience with governmental matters, legislation, and laws, preferably involving municipalities, within the state of Montana;
• Five or more years working with local, state, or federal government entities;
• Experience in lobbying and advocacy work for government entities, particularly municipal governments;
• Knowledge of Montana State and/or local budgeting process.
• Skill in researching complex issues affecting municipalities.
• Ability to plan, organize, and direct effective legislative advocacy.
• Ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with elected and appointed officials in all branches and at all levels of government.
• Expert ability to communicate complex and technical matters, both verbally and in writing, to diverse audiences.
• Excellent public presentation skills.
• Proficiency in the use of computer software programs including Microsoft Office and internet research abilities.
• Ability to work collaboratively and independently while effectively managing work time, deadlines, and accuracy of completed work.

Working Conditions and Expectations: The demands and conditions described here are representative of those the employee must meet to perform the essential functions of the job.

• The position will typically work in an office environment using a computer and communicating with others electronically, telephonically, and in person. However, during the legislative session, the position typically works in excess of 40 hours a week and spends significant hours in person at the Montana Capitol while maintaining contact and communication with the Executive Director and organizational members.
• The position requires travel by vehicle across Montana, typically 15-20 times per year, with some nights spent away from Helena. The position also involves some travel elsewhere outside Montana by air travel, typically 1-2 times per year, with some nights spent away from Helena.
• This position will be expected to perform the essential functions of the job while subject to frequent interruptions and a low to moderate noise level. During the legislative session, the position is expected to perform under high levels of stress, quickly move around, to, and from the Capitol and related locations, work in settings without a desk, multi-task a variety of work items and tasks on a mobile device, and communicate professionally with a diverse group of elected officials and lobbyists in a high-paced, high-stress environment.

This position is Exempt for FLSA standards. Successful applicants will be required to pass a background check including a criminal background check. Applicants with criminal convictions may still be considered for employment pending a review of the circumstances.

Please email your resumé and cover letter through the really job posting or by contacting Derrek Shepherd at Montana Municipal Interlocal Authority.

This position will close on July 30, 2026, at 5:00 pm Mountain Daylight Time.

The League is an equal opportunity employer and does not discrimination on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability, genetic information or any protected class listed in federal or Montana state civil rights laws. The League shall, upon request, provide reasonable accommodations to otherwise quailed individuals with disabilities.

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Helena, MT 59602