State Relations Manager
King County, Seattle, WA, United States
Salary
$126,927.02 - $185,485.96 Annually
Location
Chinook Building 401 5th Avenue Seattle, WA
Job Type
Appt/Exempt
Job Number
2026BHC26837
Department
EXEC - Executive's Office
Opening Date
03/23/2026
Closing Date
4/6/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
FLSA
Exempt
Bargaining Unit
Z3 : KC Personnel Guidelines
Full- or Part-Time
Full Time
Hours/Week
40 hours/week
Summary
King County is launching an ambitious effort to ensure that government delivers high-quality, efficient, and equitable services to every resident. To support this work, we are seeking a State Government Relations Manager (Manager) who will lead and strengthen King County's engagement with Washington State policymakers, agencies, and partners. Achieving this vision requires strong, trusted partnerships with state government and effective advocacy in Olympia.
This position will be a member of the Government Relations team and will report to the Director of Government Relations, working closely with colleagues across the team and departments countywide.
The Manager will help develop and implement the County's state legislative and executive branch strategy, monitor and advance priority policy issues, and support coordinated advocacy efforts across King County departments. The position plays a critical role in ensuring King County's priorities are clearly communicated, strategically advanced, and effectively integrated into state-level decision-making.
Job Duties
Key Responsibilities Support development and execution of King County's state government relations strategy in alignment with the Executive priorities and the County's broader intergovernmental agenda. Lead King County's relationships with the Washington state legislature and state government, serving as the Executive's primary liaison on state relations. Manage the County's state contract lobbyists to ensure execution and alignment of the Executive's vision and agenda. Monitor, track, and help advance King County's priority legislation, budget requests, and policy initiatives during the legislative session and interim. Provide policy analysis, strategic recommendations, and political insight on state-level issues affecting King County operations, funding, and residents. Coordinate with other members of the Government Relations team and county departments to ensure timely, consistent, and effective engagement on policies, programs, and projects. Support preparation of briefings, testimony, fact sheets, and other advocacy materials for the Executive, Council members, and department leaders. Coordinate with state, regional, and local partners on special projects, including international relations and related policy issues. Expectations
A strong presence in Olympia during the legislative session and consistent engagement with state partners year-round. In the office a minimum of three days per week; some meetings may require in-person attendance without remote options. Be timely, responsive, and respectful of others' time. Bring urgency and momentum to the work; the pace will be fast, complex, and deeply impactful. Meetings and projects will have clear goals, agendas, ownership, and follow-through. A commitment to continuous improvement in processes, strategy, and outcomes. Values
Serve with integrity. Show initiative and work hard. Prioritize outcomes over optics. Center equity and the voices of those most impacted. Approach challenges with a "yes, and" mindset. Work collaboratively as one adaptable, mission-driven team. Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills
Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate is a skilled policy professional who understands Washington State government and can navigate complex political environments with credibility and trust. Successful candidates will bring:
Significant experience (5+ years) in state government relations, legislative affairs, public policy, or a related governmental role. Strong understanding of Washington State legislative and budget processes. Demonstrated experience building and maintaining relationships with legislators, agency leaders, and key stakeholders. Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to translate complex policy into clear, compelling messaging. Strong organizational skills with a track record of managing multiple priorities, deadlines, and deliverables. Key Attributes
Strategic and Analytical: Sees the big picture, uses data to inform decisions, and can develop and deploy effective strategy. Equity-Centered: Embeds fairness, inclusion, and community impact into state policy work. Collaborative: Works across departments and with external partners to advance shared priorities. Results-Oriented: Connects advocacy to real-world outcomes and measurable impact for King County residents.
King County offers a highly-competitive compensation and benefits package designed to meet the diverse needs of our employees and support our employees' health and well-being. Eligible positions receive the following benefits and have access to the following programs:
Excellent medical, dental, and vision coverage options: King County provides eligible employees with options, so they can decide what's best for themselves and their eligible dependents Life and disability insurance: employees are provided basic coverage and given the opportunity to purchase additional insurance for both the employee and eligible dependents Retirement: eligible King County employees may participate in a pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems and a 457(b) deferred-compensation plan Transportation program and ORCA transit pass 12paid holidays each year plus twopersonal holidays Generous vacation and paid sick leave Paid parental,family and medical, and volunteer leaves Flexible Spending Account Wellness programs Onsite activity centers Employee Giving Program Employee assistance programs Flexible schedules and telecommuting options, depending on position Training and career development programs For additional information about employee benefits, visit our Benefits, Payroll, and Retirement Page .
This is a general description of the benefits offered to eligible King County employees, and every effort has been made to ensure its accuracy. If any information on this document conflicts with the provisions of a collective bargaining agreement (CBA), the CBA prevails.
NOTE:
Benefits for Term Limited Temporary (TLT) or Short Term Temporary (STT) positions, including leave eligibility and/or participation in the pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems, will vary based upon the terms and details of the position.Short Term Temporary positions are not eligible for an ORCA transit pass.
For inquiries about the specifics of this position, please contact the recruiter identified on this job posting. recblid ysdbgv0iuttsy4phdk79r056fe1guw
$126,927.02 - $185,485.96 Annually
Location
Chinook Building 401 5th Avenue Seattle, WA
Job Type
Appt/Exempt
Job Number
2026BHC26837
Department
EXEC - Executive's Office
Opening Date
03/23/2026
Closing Date
4/6/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
FLSA
Exempt
Bargaining Unit
Z3 : KC Personnel Guidelines
Full- or Part-Time
Full Time
Hours/Week
40 hours/week
Summary
King County is launching an ambitious effort to ensure that government delivers high-quality, efficient, and equitable services to every resident. To support this work, we are seeking a State Government Relations Manager (Manager) who will lead and strengthen King County's engagement with Washington State policymakers, agencies, and partners. Achieving this vision requires strong, trusted partnerships with state government and effective advocacy in Olympia.
This position will be a member of the Government Relations team and will report to the Director of Government Relations, working closely with colleagues across the team and departments countywide.
The Manager will help develop and implement the County's state legislative and executive branch strategy, monitor and advance priority policy issues, and support coordinated advocacy efforts across King County departments. The position plays a critical role in ensuring King County's priorities are clearly communicated, strategically advanced, and effectively integrated into state-level decision-making.
Job Duties
Key Responsibilities Support development and execution of King County's state government relations strategy in alignment with the Executive priorities and the County's broader intergovernmental agenda. Lead King County's relationships with the Washington state legislature and state government, serving as the Executive's primary liaison on state relations. Manage the County's state contract lobbyists to ensure execution and alignment of the Executive's vision and agenda. Monitor, track, and help advance King County's priority legislation, budget requests, and policy initiatives during the legislative session and interim. Provide policy analysis, strategic recommendations, and political insight on state-level issues affecting King County operations, funding, and residents. Coordinate with other members of the Government Relations team and county departments to ensure timely, consistent, and effective engagement on policies, programs, and projects. Support preparation of briefings, testimony, fact sheets, and other advocacy materials for the Executive, Council members, and department leaders. Coordinate with state, regional, and local partners on special projects, including international relations and related policy issues. Expectations
A strong presence in Olympia during the legislative session and consistent engagement with state partners year-round. In the office a minimum of three days per week; some meetings may require in-person attendance without remote options. Be timely, responsive, and respectful of others' time. Bring urgency and momentum to the work; the pace will be fast, complex, and deeply impactful. Meetings and projects will have clear goals, agendas, ownership, and follow-through. A commitment to continuous improvement in processes, strategy, and outcomes. Values
Serve with integrity. Show initiative and work hard. Prioritize outcomes over optics. Center equity and the voices of those most impacted. Approach challenges with a "yes, and" mindset. Work collaboratively as one adaptable, mission-driven team. Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills
Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate is a skilled policy professional who understands Washington State government and can navigate complex political environments with credibility and trust. Successful candidates will bring:
Significant experience (5+ years) in state government relations, legislative affairs, public policy, or a related governmental role. Strong understanding of Washington State legislative and budget processes. Demonstrated experience building and maintaining relationships with legislators, agency leaders, and key stakeholders. Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to translate complex policy into clear, compelling messaging. Strong organizational skills with a track record of managing multiple priorities, deadlines, and deliverables. Key Attributes
Strategic and Analytical: Sees the big picture, uses data to inform decisions, and can develop and deploy effective strategy. Equity-Centered: Embeds fairness, inclusion, and community impact into state policy work. Collaborative: Works across departments and with external partners to advance shared priorities. Results-Oriented: Connects advocacy to real-world outcomes and measurable impact for King County residents.
King County offers a highly-competitive compensation and benefits package designed to meet the diverse needs of our employees and support our employees' health and well-being. Eligible positions receive the following benefits and have access to the following programs:
Excellent medical, dental, and vision coverage options: King County provides eligible employees with options, so they can decide what's best for themselves and their eligible dependents Life and disability insurance: employees are provided basic coverage and given the opportunity to purchase additional insurance for both the employee and eligible dependents Retirement: eligible King County employees may participate in a pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems and a 457(b) deferred-compensation plan Transportation program and ORCA transit pass 12paid holidays each year plus twopersonal holidays Generous vacation and paid sick leave Paid parental,family and medical, and volunteer leaves Flexible Spending Account Wellness programs Onsite activity centers Employee Giving Program Employee assistance programs Flexible schedules and telecommuting options, depending on position Training and career development programs For additional information about employee benefits, visit our Benefits, Payroll, and Retirement Page .
This is a general description of the benefits offered to eligible King County employees, and every effort has been made to ensure its accuracy. If any information on this document conflicts with the provisions of a collective bargaining agreement (CBA), the CBA prevails.
NOTE:
Benefits for Term Limited Temporary (TLT) or Short Term Temporary (STT) positions, including leave eligibility and/or participation in the pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems, will vary based upon the terms and details of the position.Short Term Temporary positions are not eligible for an ORCA transit pass.
For inquiries about the specifics of this position, please contact the recruiter identified on this job posting. recblid ysdbgv0iuttsy4phdk79r056fe1guw