Account Director, Public Affairs & Government Relations

Account Director, Public Affairs & Government Relations

MikeWorldWide (MWW) is seeking an experienced Account Director to join its Public Affairs & Government Relations practice in our New Jersey office. This is a client-facing, hands-on role for a well-rounded public affairs professional who can operate comfortably at the intersection of strategic communications, public policy, politics, and government relations.

The ideal candidate understands how policy is shaped — inside the State House and through the media, business and community stakeholders, advocacy and public opinion — and knows how to bring those elements together to help clients achieve their goals. We’re looking for someone who can help develop smart strategies, independently manage multiple accounts and workstreams, produce exceptional client-ready work, and engage confidently with clients and other influential stakeholders .

This role bridges both communications and government relations. Successful candidates should be equally comfortable helping develop an integrated public affairs campaign, drafting compelling messages and materials, tracking and analyzing legislation, attending a legislative hearing, or managing the day-to-day needs of a client account.

Meaningful experience in New Jersey government, politics, public affairs or advocacy is essential , along with a strong understanding of the state’s legislative and regulatory processes and its political, business and media landscape. Relevant experience may include work in government, political campaigns, an agency public affairs practice, in-house government relations or corporate affairs, advocacy organizations, or a combination of these environments.

This role is best suited for a well-rounded public affairs professional who wants to work across disciplines rather than exclusively in traditional public relations or government relations. We value people who are intellectually curious, politically astute, highly responsive, and willing to roll up their sleeves to get the work done.

Primary Responsibilities

• Serve as a day-to-day client lead and strategic partner, helping clients navigate public affairs, government relations, reputation, issues management and stakeholder engagement challenges.
• Help develop and execute integrated public affairs and advocacy strategies that combine government relations, strategic communications, earned and digital media, stakeholder engagement, coalition building and grassroots/grasstops activity as appropriate.
• Manage multiple accounts, projects and workstreams, coordinating internal teams, establishing priorities, managing deadlines and budgets, and ensuring consistently high-quality client service and deliverables.
• Monitor and analyze New Jersey legislative, regulatory and political developments, identifying emerging issues, opportunities and risks and translating them into timely, actionable intelligence and recommendations for clients.
• Track legislation throughout the legislative process, from introduction and committee consideration through floor action, enactment and regulatory implementation, as well as relevant rules and regulations across New Jersey state departments and agencies.
• Attend legislative committee hearings, voting sessions, regulatory proceedings, meetings and other government activities and provide clients with analysis, insights and recommended actions — not simply reporting on developments.
• Support government relations and advocacy efforts designed to advance, shape or oppose legislation, regulations and other public policy initiatives consistent with client objectives.
• Develop polished, persuasive and audience-specific communications, including policy positions, advocacy materials, messaging, talking points, testimony, briefing documents, presentations, media materials and executive communications.
• Help develop communications and media strategies that translate complex public policy and business issues into clear, compelling narratives for policymakers, stakeholders, media and the public.
• Anticipate potential political, policy and reputational issues and work with senior team members to develop strategies that help clients navigate complex, sensitive, and fast-moving situations.
• Manage and mentor junior team members, providing clear direction, constructive feedback and support while maintaining accountability for the quality and timeliness of account work.
• Establish and track meaningful objectives and KPIs and continually evaluate programs and tactics against client goals and desired outcomes.
• Support new business and organic growth efforts, including research, proposal development, pitch preparation, and identifying opportunities to expand existing client engagements.
• Participate in client meetings, events, legislative and stakeholder activities and other engagements throughout New Jersey, including activities outside traditional office hours when client or campaign needs require.

What You’ll Bring – Required Experience

• At least five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in public affairs, government relations, government, politics, strategic communications, advocacy, or a related field.
• Meaningful professional experience in New Jersey and a strong working knowledge of the state’s legislative and regulatory processes, political environment and key institutions.
• Demonstrated ability to help develop and execute strategies designed to influence public policy, stakeholder opinion or decision-maker action.
• A strong understanding of the intersection of public relations, public policy, politics and reputation, and an ability to integrate communications and government relations strategies to achieve client objectives.
• Exceptional writing and verbal communications skills, including demonstrated ability to distill complicated policy, political and business issues into clear, concise and persuasive communications tailored to different audiences.
• Strong client-management skills and the confidence to present recommendations, provide counsel and build trusted relationships with clients and internal teams.
• Experience managing multiple complex accounts, projects or workstreams simultaneously, including budgets, deadlines, team assignments, and client deliverables.
• Comfort operating in a fast-paced client-service environment, balancing multiple accounts, competing priorities and tight deadlines while maintaining attention to detail and quality.
• Sound political judgment, discretion and an understanding of how to operate effectively in sensitive or high-stakes environments.
• Intellectual curiosity and demonstrated ability to quickly learn and understand unfamiliar businesses, industries, policy issues and stakeholder environments.
• A collaborative, solution-oriented and hands-on approach, including the ability to step into evolving situations, identify what needs to be done, and help move the work forward.
• Digital fluency and an understanding of how earned, owned, paid, and social media can support broader public affairs, advocacy, and reputation objectives.
• Working knowledge of communications, media-monitoring and legislative/government affairs platforms. Experience with tools such as GovNet, Leadership Connect, POLITICO Pro, Muck Rack, Meltwater or similar platforms is a plus.

Preferred Background

• Strong candidates may bring experience from one or more of the following environments:
• The New Jersey Legislature, Governor’s Office, executive branch or local government;
• Government relations, legislative affairs or corporate affairs for a New Jersey-based company, association or organization;
• A public affairs, strategic communications or government relations agency;
• Political campaigns, advocacy organizations or issue-based coalitions; or
• An in-house communications, public affairs or government relations function.
• Experience with issues and crisis management, coalition and stakeholder engagement, media relations, integrated advocacy campaigns and new business development is also valued.
• Ability to travel as necessary, contingent on client and new business needs (requirements vary), and ability to attend client meetings virtually and in person, primarily in New Jersey.

What Success Looks Like

Successful Account Directors in MWW’s growing Public Affairs practice are strategic thinkers and strong operators. They understand the political and policy environment and what it takes to deliver for clients every day. They can see the bigger picture while staying on top of the details, move comfortably between communications and government relations, and know when to lead independently and when to engage senior team members.

They are excellent writers, responsive client partners and collaborative colleagues who bring ideas and solutions rather than simply identifying problems. Above all, they combine sound judgment, political and communications acumen, strong execution and a commitment to exceptional client service.

Candidates should be prepared to provide writing samples and examples or case studies of public affairs, government relations, advocacy or communications programs they have helped manage and execute (upon request).