Vice President, NYS Government Relations

Who we are.

Tusk Strategies is a 40-person team of some of the most talented and tenacious communications, political, and policy strategists in the country. For over a decade, we have worked with leading startups, established companies, and organizations willing to think creatively and challenge the status quo. Our teams develop and execute public affairs and public policy campaigns on behalf of clients navigating complex political and regulatory environments.

The Role.

As a Vice President of New York State government relations, you will play a leading role in developing and executing lobbying and public affairs strategies for clients before the New York State Legislature, Executive Chamber, state agencies, and other key stakeholders across state government. You will be expected to understand how Albany works, maintain strong relationships across state government, and translate client objectives into practical legislative and political strategies.

This role requires someone who can operate independently in Albany while also working closely with Tusk's broader public affairs teams to integrate government relations into comprehensive client campaigns.

Responsibilities will include:

• Designing and implementing advocacy and lobbying programs in Albany for a diverse portfolio of clients, while integrating these efforts into multifaceted public affairs campaigns to ensure that political, legislative, and stakeholder workstreams are aligned with core strategic goals.
• Maintaining and leveraging relationships with members, legislative staff, executive branch officials, agency personnel, and other stakeholders across New York State government.
• Providing clients with clear, thoughtful, and practical updates on legislative developments, political dynamics, campaign progress, and recommended next steps.
• Drafting and producing testimony, legislation, amendments, memoranda of support and opposition, coalition letters, talking points, briefing materials, and other advocacy materials.
• Preparing clients for meetings with elected officials, staff, agencies, and other government stakeholders and ensuring clients understand both the substantive issues and political dynamics surrounding an engagement.
• Organizing and executing Lobby Days and other client visits to the State Capitol, including scheduling meetings, preparing briefing materials, coordinating logistics, and accompanying clients through engagements.
• Identifying, recruiting, and managing third-party validators, organizations, advocates, and other stakeholders to build coalitions in support of client positions.
• Representing Tusk and networking across key political, policy, advocacy, and industry events throughout New York State.
• Collaborating with colleagues across Tusk to develop integrated campaign strategies and contribute government relations expertise to existing and prospective client engagements.
• Supporting new business opportunities by helping develop lobbying strategies, political assessments, campaign concepts, and proposals.

What we look for from you.

• A minimum of 4 years of relevant experience in New York State government, a public affairs or government relations firm, a coalition or policy organization, and/or an in-house government affairs role.
• Deep knowledge of the New York State legislative and policymaking process, including experience using LRS and tracking legislation from introduction through passage or defeat.
• Established relationships and connections with members and staff across the New York State Legislature and broader state government.
• Demonstrated experience lobbying or directly engaging policymakers and staff on legislative and regulatory matters.
• Experience drafting testimony, bills, legislative language, memoranda of support and opposition, coalition letters, and related government affairs materials.
• Demonstrated ability to identify, build, and manage third-party coalitions that advance legislative or policy objectives.
• Experience developing lobbying strategies that work as part of broader public affairs and advocacy campaigns.
• Strong political judgment and an understanding of how legislative, political, stakeholder, and external considerations affect government relations strategy.
• Ability to confidently prepare and advise clients ahead of meetings with elected officials, government staff, and other political stakeholders.
• Ability to independently manage multiple clients, legislative priorities, and workstreams simultaneously, often under tight deadlines.
• Intellectual curiosity and a willingness to learn and engage deeply in a wide range of subject matter areas, industries, and policy issues.
• Strong writing, research, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
• Either currently based in Albany or willing and able to travel frequently to Albany, particularly while the Legislature is in session.
• Must be legally eligible to lobby the New York State Legislature and not subject to any applicable post-government employment restriction, including a two-year lobbying restriction, that would prevent performing the responsibilities of this position.

What you’ll get from us.

Tusk fosters a collegial and collaborative environment where the best ideas for our clients win, no matter your title. To that end, we aim to consistently create opportunities for professional growth and provide competitive benefits. Benefits include:

• Highly competitive base salary.
• Opportunity to earn new business commission.
• Eligible to earn an EOY bonus as a new employee.
• 401(k) with employer contribution of 3% of compensation.
• 100% covered premiums for medical, dental, and vision insurance; dependents and spouses are 50% covered.
• Unlimited vacation.
• Paid parental leave.
• Covered cell phone service.
• Hybrid work environment.

The pay range for this position is expected to be between $115,000 and $150,000 per year. However, the base pay offered may vary depending on multiple factors, including job-related knowledge, skills, experience, market factors, and business need.