Director of Legislative Affairs

Director of Legislative Affairs

Status: Full-time, exempt

Location: Austin, TX (with statewide travel)

Reports to: Lead Organizer of Statewide Campaigns

Setting: In-Person

About Us:

Raise Your Hand Texas is a nonpartisan organization dedicated to advocating for high-quality public education in Texas. We work to educate, engage, and activate Texans through public education policy and advocacy initiatives.

About the Role:

Raise Your Hand Texas seeks an experienced Capitol professional to help execute legislative strategy and advance efforts to improve public education across Texas.

This role is ideal for a seasoned legislative affairs or government relations professional who understands how policy moves - from committee to calendar to floor to implementation - and is ready to apply that experience at a broader, statewide level. The Director of Legislative Affairs manages day-to-day legislative activity, maintains high-trust relationships across offices and agencies, and ensures that RYHT’s priorities are advanced with discipline, clarity, and sound judgment.

Working in close coordination with the Lead Organizer of Statewide Campaigns, this position will play a key role in translating research and expertise into actionable legislative strategy.

Key Responsibilities:

Legislative Execution

• Implement RYHT’s legislative priorities in coordination with internal teams and leadership.
• Monitor, analyze, and manage legislation across both chambers using tracking systems (e.g., Telicon).
• Own bill movement and timelines, including committee activity, amendments, and floor action.
• Produce clear, timely briefings and updates on legislative developments and risks.
  
  

Capitol Engagement

• Serve as a primary liaison to legislative offices, committee staff, and state agencies.
• Collaborate with organizational leadership to initiate and maintain relationships with members of the legislature.
• Build and maintain bipartisan relationships with a variety of stakeholders across the Capitol.
• Coordinate RYHT engagement in hearings, including preparation, testimony, and follow-up.
• Speak publicly regarding Raise Your Hand’s legislative priorities, including during public testimony.
  
  

Stakeholder Coordination

• Cultivate relationships with statewide organizations and key stakeholders.
• Align partners around shared priorities and legislative strategy.
  
  

Internal Leadership & Collaboration

• Partner with Policy, Communications, and Advocacy teams to align strategy, messaging and execution.
• Translate policy priorities into actionable guidance and materials.
• Manage and mentor interns and fellows during legislative sessions.
• Provide training content and legislative commentary for organization’s grassroots advocates
• Support advocate engagement in the Capitol during legislative sessions
• Assist Regional Advocacy Directors in initiating and managing relationships with lawmakers and legislative staff
  
  

Interim Strategy

• Support interim work, including monitoring charges, stakeholder engagement, and session preparation.
  
  

Minimum Qualifications:

• 5 years of experience in a legislative office, government relations, or comparable role.
• Direct experience advancing or managing legislative policy.
• Strong knowledge of the Texas legislative process, including committees, calendars, and floor dynamics.
• Experience with legislative tracking tools and managing bill flow and reporting.
• Availability to travel in the service area (regional and statewide) and occasionally work weekends and evenings.
• Must be willing to work extended hours during sessions, hearings, and key periods.
• Bachelor's degree in Political Science, Public Policy, or related field.
  
  

Core Strengths:

• Judgment & Professionalism: Operates with discretion in high-pressure environments.
• Process Fluency: Deep understanding of how legislation moves and how to manage it.
• Relationship Management: Ability to build credibility across offices, parties, and stakeholders.
• Communication: Excellent verbal communication skills. Strong briefing, writing, and presentation skills.
• Analytical Ability: Can assess issues quickly and provide clear recommendations.
  
  

Preferred Qualifications & Skills:

• Familiarity with the public education landscape, existing relationships a plus.
• Experience working across coalitions or multiple stakeholders.
• Relevant master's degree or equivalent experience.
• Proficient with Telicon or other legislative tracking software and Google Workspace, Microsoft Office Suite, Slack.
  
  

What We Offer:

• We offer a comprehensive benefits package including, health insurance, a 401(k) Retirement plan, disability insurance, paid time off, and paid parental leave.
• Perks at Work Program
• RYHT offers limited opportunities for remote work opportunities, dependent on employees’ continued ability to execute on projects and responsibilities.
  
  

Why Join Raise Your Hand Texas?

As the Director of Legislative Affairs, you’ll have the opportunity to shape strategy and outcomes across the state. You will join a high-performing team that is committed to strengthening public education. If you are a results-oriented leader with a passion for shaping public policy and building relationships, we want to hear from you!

Raise Your Hand Texas is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

To Apply: Please upload your resume, a cover letter, 1 reference letter (a preferred letter author being someone either elected to or working within the Texas Capitol), and 1 completed Texas Legislative Strategy Memo assignment.