Senior Government Relations Officer

Island Institute

Island Institute

Rockland, ME, USA

USD 71,276-99,807 / year

Posted on May 9, 2026

Position Overview

The Senior Government Relations Officer leads Island Institute’s efforts to influence public policy, secure government funding, and remove regulatory barriers to advance priorities for Maine’s island and coastal communities. This role translates community-identified needs into actionable policy and funding strategies, working across all six initiatives to deliver measurable, real-world outcomes.

This is a collaborative, cross-functional role, and the individual is expected to work effectively across teams and lead multi-team projects.

The individual in this position is a mission-driven leader who deploys significant expertise in navigating government institutions and connecting community-based work to them. They provide leadership for the Island Institute's government relations work and collaborate with staff, donors, and external partners to create change that will shape the future of the Coast of Maine.

Required Qualifications

  • An advanced degree with 5 years’ experience in relevant content and technical expertise, or a bachelor’s degree with 8-10 years’ experience in relevant content and technical expertise. Relevant expertise includes experience in policy, law, advocacy, community and economic development, or related fields.
  • Demonstrated government relations experience working with state agencies, local government leaders, nonprofit organizations, and/or other elected officials.
  • Demonstrated leadership and management experience, including the direct supervision of employees.
  • Strong skills related to convening, facilitation, project management, and experience working with networks and coalitions to influence policymaking.
  • Exceptional written, analytical, and oral communication skills that effectively convey the organization’s mission, priorities, and programs to diverse audiences in a variety of formats.
  • Alignment with and commitment to the Island Institute’s mission and values.

Key Responsibilities

  • Lead Government Relations work focused on advancing Island Institute initiatives and supporting community partners. Maintain and nurture relationships with key stakeholders in public policy processes at the local, state, and federal levels, including elected officials, government entities, and industry and community representatives.
  • Represent Island Institute in conversations with State agencies, the State legislature, congressional delegation staff, municipal leaders, partner organizations, and Statewide or national stakeholder coalitions.
  • Monitor/track legislative and regulatory activities of relevance to the organization and our partners.
  • Collaboratively develop policy positions and strategies with internal stakeholders and key external partners, and work to advance those positions by engaging in the policy process.
  • Convene, facilitate, and lead workgroups and teams focused on projects of strategic importance to the organization. Convene and facilitate key coalitions for the organization.
  • Manage government relations-related initiatives and projects from planning through implementation, including budgeting, in partnership with the Chief Policy and External Affairs Officer, engaging finance and philanthropy staff on proposal development, fundraising strategy, preparation of reports and presentations to funders, and tracking grant deliverables and program outcomes.
  • Supervise staff and/or consultants, as appropriate.
  • Educate, engage, and support internal and external stakeholders in the public policy process, including serving as a mentor and resource to staff members, building their skills and knowledge of the public policy process.
  • Model collaborative, values-driven leadership.
  • Other duties as assigned.

What we Offer:

  • A benefits program to include health, dental, vision, company provided life insurance, and a 403b plan with an employer match of up to 6% after a year of service.
  • A generous paid time off policy.
  • 12 paid holidays and 2 floating holidays.
  • Island Institute membership benefits.
  • Hybrid work environment.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

  • Physical demands: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to sit, enter data using a computer keyboard and mouse, stand, walk, bend over occasionally, and move about the office space as well as between building floors. On occasion, the employee may also need to travel by ferry to and from island communities and to get in and out of other watercraft. There is no requirement to lift or move weights of more than 15 pounds.
  • Work environment: The noise level in the office is usually minimal, but it may vary in other venues and at off-site locations. Off-site work may involve uneven terrain and variable weather conditions.

The pay range for this position is $71,276-$99,807, based on experience. Most initial offers are made below the midpoint of the range and are based on factors such as relevant experience, skills alignment, and internal equity.

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