Job Summary
As Director of State Government Affairs, you will lead Target's engagement with state policymakers and key stakeholders across the Mid-Atlantic and Great Lakes region. You will represent Target before state elected officials, advocating for its public policy priorities and providing strategic counsel to internal business partners on issues affecting operations, growth, reputation, and guests.
Responsibilities
- Maintain and deepen strategic relationships with high‑ranking state elected officials, staff, and agencies in Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, WestVirginia, Kentucky, and Washington,D.C.; territory assignments may change based on business needs.
- Advocate on behalf of the company with governors, state attorneys general, legislators, and other elected and appointed officials on policies that affect Target’s growth and competitiveness.
- Establish and maintain an intelligence‑gathering strategy to proactively identify emerging trends to help the company navigate business decisions.
- Strategically prepare and leverage business experts to advocate on Target’s behalf, as appropriate.
- Manage a network of business and trade association partners in the region: attend industry events, manage and nourish relationships, maintain communication channels to gather intelligence on legislative and political developments and provide feedback on proposed legislation, oversee budget for related memberships and sponsorships.
- Oversee Target’s use of contract lobbyists in the region, where applicable.
- Partner with Grassroots Sr. Manager on grassroots activities, including calls to action, get‑out‑the‑vote, store and distribution center tours and other activations as needed.
- Establish and maintain working relationships with business leaders across Target to develop a working knowledge of their business, priorities, and strategies, and leverage that understanding and judgment to provide timely updates on policy developments that have an impact on their business.
- Proven ability to influence without authority and build alignment across diverse internal and external stakeholders.
- Develop subject‑matter expertise on a wide range of policy issues (privacy, data security, taxes, alcohol expansion, supply chain, store operations, financial services, energy, and product safety) and provide insightful analysis to internal business partners.
- Represent Government Affairs on internal, cross‑functional teams as necessary.
- Collaborate with Corporate Affairs, Real Estate, Assets Protection & Corporate Security, Enterprise Sustainability, Stores and Supply Chain leadership, and other externally‑facing roles on issues of mutual interest throughout the region.
- Enhance and develop Target’s presence and reputation at conferences and leverage those conferences to build relationships with elected officials and other government affairs professionals.
- Appropriately protect and leverage highly confidential information, including new store opening locations and dates, store closing locations and dates, team member compensation information, team member demographic information, and material reputational and strategic announcements before they are made public.
- Job duties may change at any time due to business needs.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree.
- 6‑10years of experience in business or a related field.
- Excellent interpersonal and leadership skills.
- Solid decision‑making ability/Independent action.
- Ability to conceptualize and manage research and analysis on priority policy issues.
- Ability to apply retail knowledge to the analysis of public policy issues.
- Ability to analyze and react to political trends at both the state and national level.
- Strong oral and written communication skills.
- Proven ability to effectively communicate with senior leadership.
- Ability to build strong relationships with internal and external partners and form cohesive plans and processes across diverse business groups.
- Ability to travel as needed.
- Demonstrated ability to manage conflict and experience in high‑stress environments.
Desired Requirements
- Advanced degree in a discipline or related field (advanced specialized degree may substitute for a portion of experience).
- Previous experience in the retail industry.
- Previous experience and/or political relationships in the geographic territory.
- Previous experience with policy analysis in areas relevant to retail.
Benefits
Eligible team members and dependents receive comprehensive health benefits (medical, vision, dental, life insurance) and additional benefits including 401(k), employee discount, short‑term disability, long‑term disability, paid sick leave, paid national holidays, and paid vacation. For details, visit
Equal Opportunity Statement
Target is committed to equal employment opportunity and diversity.
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
Target will make reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities. If a reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact
#J-18808-Ljbffr