Sr Director, State Government Affairs (Remote)

We believe in the power and joy of learning

At Cengage Group, our employees have a direct impact in helping students around the world discover the power and joy of learning. We are bonded by our shared purpose – driving innovation that helps millions of learners improve their lives and achieve their dreams through education.Cengage Group’s portfolio of businesses supports student choice by providing a range of pathways that help learners achieve their goals and lead a choice-filled life.

Our culture values inclusion, engagement, and discovery

Our business is driven by our strong culture, and we know that creating an inclusive workplace is absolutely essential to the success of our company and our learners, as well as our individual well-being. We recognize the value of diverse perspectives in everything we do, and strive to ensure employees of all levels and backgrounds feel empowered to voice their ideas and bring their authentic selves to work. We achieve these priorities through programs, benefits, and initiatives that are integrated into the fabric of how we work every day. To learn more, please see https://www.cengagegroup.com/about/inclusion-and-belonging/.

The Senior Director of State Government Affairs will be responsible for promoting, growing, and protecting Cengage business interests across the United States. A key leader in government affairs helping to define how the company analyzes, understands, navigates, and shapes policy at the state level. You will lead and direct contract-lobbying operational activities and develop a proactive engagement strategy in support of Cengage's policy and procurement objectives. You will use existing relationships and develop new relationships as a representative of the company and the company’s business objectives and in furtherance of Cengage’s policy goals. You must have strong project management, communications, political, interpersonal, and organizational skills.

This role will report to our Chief Communications Officer and work in partnership with the Sr Director of Federal Government Affairs in addition to sales leaders, public relations and other team members.

Where You’ll Work: As part of our 50-state strategy, this role offers flexibility to be based anywhere in the U.S., with a strong preference for candidates located in Texas, Massachusetts, California, Ohio, Michigan, or Florida. The position requires regular travel (approximately 30%) during legislative sessions to lead our State Government Affairs program and strategy. When not traveling, this is a fully remote, work-from-home role.

What you'll do here:

• Develop and maintain a multi-state government affairs strategy to promote and protect company priorities. This includes identifying advocacy needs that drive procurement opportunities, reduce risk, and support product adoption.

• Use your deep knowledge of state legislative and regulatory processes to create strategies for effective engagement that support business objectives.

• Track and analyze state legislation and assess its potential impact on Cengage businesses. Provide regular reports on legislative activity and trends, and meet with senior leaders to forecast policy impacts and develop proactive and reactive action plans.

• Stay current on a wide range of regulatory and policy issues, including K-12, workforce development, postsecondary education, privacy, technology, data, and innovation.

• Advocate for Cengage on key policy and political matters. Craft positions that establish the company as a thought leader and innovator in the public space.

• Communicate proactively both internally and externally. Educate business leaders and stakeholders on policies that may impact Cengage and explain planned Government Affairs actions.

• Simplify complex policy details for diverse internal audiences, clarify how local legislation may affect the business, and advise sales teams on standard processes for lobbyist engagement.

• Represent Cengage effectively with government officials, peers, business partners, and industry associations.

• Collaborate closely with internal teams and leverage shared resources and networks to advance business objectives.

Skills you will need here:

• At least 10 years of experience in State government affairs.

• Proven record of effective and successful government affairs and government relations work specifically in education.

• Ability to handle several dynamic projects simultaneously.

• Effective oral and written communication skills and social skills needed to interact with