Job Description
The Director, West Region State & Local Policy, will be a key member of GM's State and Local Public Policy team, which is responsible for driving GM's policy agenda and business interests in state capitals and with key government stakeholders and business trades.
Reporting to the Executive Director, U.S. State and Local Policy, the West Region Director will be primarily responsible for shaping GM’s engagement on core policy issues at the state level, including manufacturing and jobs, tax policy, vehicle technology, EV and charging policy, and dealer/retail policy, while strengthening relationships with policymakers, and civic and business leaders.
They will be responsible for policy development, advocacy, and stakeholder engagement within a multi-state region in the U.S. West Region, with particular focus in California. In this role, they will be part of a dynamic team advocating for GM’s business interests, implementing key strategies, strengthening critical relationships with government officials and their staff- as well as other key stakeholders – working aggressively and strategically on multiple issues of critical importance to GM. The West Region Director is responsible for operating and managing state government relations in the assigned region, working with each respective state’s executive and legislative branches and key regulatory agencies, and will plan and direct all related engagement and advocacy activity.
In this role, the individual collaborates with Global Public Policy and key business functions to develop and execute strategic advocacy plans and will serve as a corporate ambassador on key issues impacting the future of transportation technology and manufacturing. The role requires a candidate who is proactive, strategic, and results-driven; produces impactful insights; possesses strong analytical and communications skills; and thrives in a collaborative, fast-paced environment focused on enabling GM’s vision and growth.
Responsibilities
- Building and maintaining the right relationships with state government officials, this position is also responsible for growing relationships with business and policy organizations and trade associations key to the company's future in the region.
- Establish, build, manage coalitions and relationships with external consultants, firms, and trade associations to support GM’s public policy advocacy efforts
- Responsible for advocating for public policies and regulations that collaboratively align company's overall interests.
- Lead advocacy initiatives and execute strategy on several substantial issues, and they should be capable of understanding how these issues impact the automobile industry and GM’s particular business model.
- Develop and implement plans to successfully achieve specific results regarding public policy issues that are favorable to the interests of GM.
- The complexity of this job is high, and the individual will need to provide sound counsel and support to GM's senior leadership, which will be key to GM's future success in the U.S.'s legislative and regulatory climate, especially in states with GM equities.
- Help conceive and develop a strategic engagement plan designed to assist General Motors as it relates to public policy issues at the regional and state level.
- Provide regular updates and guidance to internal business partners/clients on key policy issues and developments that impact GM, and its affiliates, and the industry
- Work cross-functionally with Communications, Legal, Dealer Policy, and other internal stakeholders to conduct and manage engagement activities and outreach to public officials, including tours and other strategic engagement.
- Manage and execute GM's political engagement strategy for a multi-state region, including leadership on national policy and political organizations, and management of PAC resources.
- Project Management: As needed, establish and lead ad hoc cross-functional project teams.
Required Qualifications:
- Bachelor's Degree with 15+ years of professional experience in government relations, state advocacy, public affairs, or a related field or equivalent experience.
- Strong understanding of state government affairs, including policy development process and various state-level political ecosystems, especially the formal and informal relationships among stakeholder groups, including political leaders, state government departments and agencies, business trade groups, lobby and law firms, and advocacy groups.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to interact with all levels and across functions, using both technical and non-technical verbiage.
- Excellent project management skills; Experience setting priorities, meeting deadlines, and managing projects, especially in cross-functional or cross-organizational environments.
- Proven analytical and deductive reasoning skills; able to translate findings into direct impacts and recommended actions.
- Proven history of successful cross-functional collaboration in fast-paced work environments.
- Clear reputation for ethical conduct, integrity, and confidentiality.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Deep experience working in California political and/or legislative environments.
- Ability to see big picture and translate strategic vision into practical objectives and priorities. Thinks strategically and deals well with ambiguity. Able to adapt and quickly analyze situations.
- Experience working on policy issues impacting the auto industry is preferred.
- Solutions-oriented approach that is proactive and innovative – demonstrates boldness and creativity that is also strategically relevant and results-driven.
- High level of enthusiasm, persistence, initiative, humor, and experienced judgment to identify priorities, initiate projects, motivate a team, and complete activities with a strong sense of urgency.
Compensation:
The compensation information is a good faith estimate only. It is based on what a successful applicant might be paid in accordance with applicable state laws.
The actual base salary a successful candidate will be offered within this range will vary based on factors relevant to the position, as well as geography of the selected candidate.
- The salary range for this role is $210,000 - $322,000. The actual base salary a successful candidate will be offered within this range will vary based on factors relevant to the position.
- Bonus Potential: An incentive pay program offers payouts based on company performance, job level, and individual performance.
- Benefits: GM offers a variety of health and wellbeing benefit programs. Benefit options include medical, dental, vision, Health Savings Account, Flexible Spending Accounts, retirement savings plan, sickness and accident benefits, life insurance, paid vacation & holidays, tuition assistance programs, employee assistance program, GM vehicle discounts and more


GM does not provide immigration-related sponsorship for this role. Do not apply for this role if you will need GM immigration sponsorship now or in the future. This includes direct company sponsorship, entry of GM as the immigration employer of record on a government form, and any work authorization requiring a written submission or other immigration support from the company (e.g., H1-B, OPT, STEM OPT, CPT, TN, J-1, etc).

This role is categorized as hybrid. This means the selected candidate is expected to report to a specific location at least 3 times a week {or other frequency dictated by their manager}.

The selected candidate will be required to travel <25% for this role.

Relocation benefits are available for candidates who qualify under company policy.


About GM
Our vision is a world with Zero Crashes, Zero Emissions and Zero Congestion and we embrace the responsibility to lead the change that will make our world better, safer and more equitable for all.
Why Join Us
We believe we all must make a choice every day – individually and collectively – to drive meaningful change through our words, our deeds and our culture. Every day, we want every employee to feel they belong to one General Motors team.
Benefits Overview
From day one, we're looking out for your well-being–at work and at home–so you can focus on realizing your ambitions. Learn how GM supports a rewarding career that rewards you personally by visiting Total Rewards resources.
Non-Discrimination and Equal Employment Opportunities (U.S.)
General Motors is committed to being a workplace that is not only free of unlawful discrimination, but one that genuinely fosters inclusion and belonging. We strongly believe that providing an inclusive workplace creates an environment in which our employees can thrive and develop better products for our customers.
All employment decisions are made on a non-discriminatory basis without regard to sex, race, color, national origin, citizenship status, religion, age, disability, pregnancy or maternity status, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran or protected veteran, or any other similarly protected status in accordance with federal, state and local laws.
We encourage interested candidates to review the key responsibilities and qualifications for each role and apply for any positions that match their skills and capabilities. Applicants in the recruitment process may be required, where applicable, to successfully complete a role-related assessment(s) and/or a pre-employment screening prior to beginning employment. To learn more, visit How we Hire.
Accommodations
General Motors offers opportunities to all job seekers including individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation to assist with your job search or application for employment, email us or call us at 1-800-865-7580. In your email, please include a description of the specific accommodation you are requesting as well as the job title and requisition number of the position for which you are applying.