Legislative Director - Director Governmental Relations Classified

Working Title: Legislative Director

Job Class: Director Governmental Relations, Classified

Agency: Health Department

• Job ID : 97923

• Location : St. Paul

• Telework Eligible : Yes / Hybrid

• Full/Part Time : Full-Time

• Regular/Temporary : Unlimited

• Who May Apply : Open to all qualified job seekers

• Date Posted : 10/23/2026

• Closing Date : 11/12/2026

• Hiring Agency: Minnesota Department of Health (MDH)

• Division: Executive Office

• Work Shift/Work Hours : Day Shift / 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

• Days of Work : Monday - Friday

• Travel Required : Yes - Up to 25% of the time

• Salary Range: $57.67 - $82.61 / hourly; $120,414 - $172,489 / annually

• Classified Status : Classified

• Bargaining Unit/Union : 220 - Managerial Plan

• Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities (https://mn.gov/mmb/careers/diverse-workforce/people-with-disabilities/connect700/) : Yes

The work you'll do is more than just a job.

At the State of Minnesota, employees play a critical role in developing policies, providing essential services, and working to improve the well-being and quality of life for all Minnesotans. The State of Minnesota is committed to equity and inclusion, and invests in employees by providing benefits, support resources, and training and development opportunities.

Join a mission-driven executive team at the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) where your expertise will contribute to protecting, maintaining, and improving the health of all Minnesotans!

This position serves as the Agency’s legislative director so that advice, guidance, and strategies are provided to the Executive Office, Division Directors and Assistant Division directors on the development of legislative programs and to ensure program and fiscal implications of plans are considered in the legislative planning process and reflected in the Agency’s budgetary and legislative proposals.

As the agency’s Legislative Director, you will lead the department’s legislative and governmental affairs programs so that partnership relationships are established and maintained in support of the department’s mission and objectives.

Working as the agency’s Legislative Director, you will:

• Direct all aspects of the agency’s legislative agenda, provide strategic direction to the Executive Office, prepare and present policy information, recommend legislative strategies, and represent MDH leadership in high-level meetings with lawmakers and partners.

• Establish and maintain strong working relationships with legislative committees and policymakers.

• Provide responsive service to legislators and external organizations and educate policymakers on MDH’s mission and programs.

• Track, analyze, and communicate state and federal legislation and coordinate legislative initiatives across the agency.

• Supervise legislative staff, ensure alignment with MDH strategic planning and HR practices, promote teamwork and customer service, and manage the office’s budget and resource.

• Guide program staff and division leadership on implementing new laws and grants, ensure required reports are submitted accurately and on time, and keep the legislature informed about program outcomes and status.

All MDH Leaders are expected to demonstrate and develop the six competency themes from the Enterprise Leader Competency Definition Guide (https://mn.gov/mmb-stat/enterprise-talent-development/career-development/Enterprise-Leader-Competency-Definition-Guide.pdf) .

In accordance with HR/LR Policy #1422 Telework, this position is eligible for up to 50% telework for applicants who live in Minnesota or in a bordering state within 50 miles of the assigned work location. The telework policy may exempt employees who live more than 50 miles from their primary work location from the 50% in-office requirement, depending on job requirements, helping the State of Minnesota access top talent across the state.

Minimum Qualifications

To facilitate proper crediting, please ensure that your resume clearly describes your experience in the areas listed and indicates the beginning and ending month and year of each job held.

Five (5) years of experience in legislative relations, public sector policy leadership, governmental affairs, or executive-level advisory roles that include executive-level advisory responsibilities.

Work experience must demonstrate the following:

• Experience in a leadership or supervisory role guiding, coaching, providing constructive feedback, and motivating others.

• Leading development and execution of legislative or governmental affairs strategies.

• Providing strategic policy guidance to executives or senior level decision-makers.

• Managing relationships with legislators, government officials, and external advocacy partners.

• Evaluating, drafting, or interpreting legislation, policies, or rules.

• Experience leading organizational initiatives, supervising staff, or managing projects.

AND

Demonstrated leadership experience which may include any of the following:

• Formal leadership roles.

• Supervising or leading staff or major projects.

• Completion of a formal recognized leadership development program.

• Chairing committees or organizational initiatives (100+ hours annually).

Preferred Qualifications

• Extensive experience working with state of Minnesota and/or federal legislative bodies and processes.

• Experience representing an organization in highly visible policy or political environment.

• Experience evaluating legislation for operational, fiscal, or policy impact.

• Experience advising public sector agency leadership on policy considerations.

• Strong communication skills in political risk assessment and message framing.

• Degree in Public Policy, Political Science, Public Administration, Law, Organizational Leadership, or related field

Additional Requirements

• This position requires successful completion of a background check and employment reference check.

• This employment does not require a valid driver’s license, but it does require travel, which the candidate will be responsible for meeting.

• MDH does not participate in the federal E-Verify program and is unable to sponsor applicants for work visas, including F-1 STEM OPT extensions, and cannot complete Form I-9 or any other documentation requiring employer participation in E-Verify. All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of application.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Minnesota State Colleges and Universities is an Equal Opportunity employer/educator committed to the principles of diversity. We prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their race, sex, color, creed, religion, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or membership in a local commission as defined by law. As an affirmative action employer, we actively seek and encourage applications from women, minorities, persons with disabilities, and individuals with protected veteran status.

Reasonable accommodations will be made to all qualified applicants with disabilities. If you are an individual with a disability who needs assistance or cannot access the online job application system, please contact the job information line at 651-259-3637 or email [email protected] . Please indicate what assistance is needed.