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Director Government Relations Jobs in Chicago, IL

The Director of Alumni Relations provides strategic leadership for all alumni engagement ... Coordinate alumni advocacy efforts and communications with the Office of Government Relations.

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Director Government Relations information

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$58.8K

$117K

$161.9K

How much do director government relations jobs pay per year?

As of May 28, 2026, the average yearly pay for director government relations in Chicago, IL is $117,036.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $99,500.00 and $138,100.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Director of Government Relations, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Director of Government Relations, you need expertise in public policy, legislative processes, and strategic communications, usually supported by a relevant degree and significant experience in advocacy or government affairs. Familiarity with government databases, legislative tracking systems, and stakeholder management tools is typically required. Exceptional relationship-building, negotiation, and persuasive communication skills help someone excel in this role. These abilities are critical for effectively influencing policy, representing organizational interests, and building strong networks with key policymakers.

How does a Director of Government Relations typically collaborate with internal departments to align legislative strategies with organizational goals?

A Director of Government Relations works closely with various internal departments such as legal, communications, public affairs, and executive leadership to ensure that legislative strategies support the organization's objectives. This collaboration often involves regular interdepartmental meetings to discuss policy priorities, updates on legislative developments, and alignment of messaging. The director may also coordinate grassroots advocacy efforts and advise teams on regulatory compliance. Effective communication and cross-functional teamwork are critical to developing unified positions and responding proactively to policy changes.

What does a Director of Government Relations do?

A Director of Government Relations is responsible for managing an organization’s interactions with government agencies, policymakers, and regulatory bodies. They develop and implement strategies to influence public policy in favor of their organization, monitor legislative and regulatory developments, and advocate for the organization's interests. This role often involves building relationships with government officials, tracking relevant legislation, and communicating the organization's position on key issues. Directors of Government Relations also coordinate lobbying efforts and ensure compliance with government regulations.

What is the difference between Director Government Relations vs Government Affairs Manager?

AspectDirector Government RelationsGovernment Affairs Manager
CredentialsBachelor's degree; often advanced degrees or certifications in public policy or lawBachelor's degree; relevant experience in government or policy
Work EnvironmentStrategic planning, high-level stakeholder engagement, policy advocacyPolicy analysis, lobbying, relationship management
Employer & Industry UsageCorporations, associations, government agenciesCorporations, nonprofits, industry groups
Search & Comparison IntentHigh-level government relations roles, strategic advocacyPolicy-focused roles, lobbying, stakeholder engagement

The main difference is that the Director Government Relations typically oversees strategic government engagement and policy advocacy at a senior level, while the Government Affairs Manager focuses more on policy analysis, lobbying, and relationship management. Both roles require similar credentials and are used in similar industries, but the director position involves higher-level strategic responsibilities.

What are the most commonly searched types of Government Relations jobs in Chicago, IL? The most popular types of Government Relations jobs in Chicago, IL are:
What are popular job titles related to Director Government Relations jobs in Chicago, IL? For Director Government Relations jobs in Chicago, IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Director Government Relations jobs in Chicago, IL look for? The top searched job categories for Director Government Relations jobs in Chicago, IL are:
What cities near Chicago, IL are hiring for Director Government Relations jobs? Cities near Chicago, IL with the most Director Government Relations job openings:

Director of North American Government Relations

IPC International, Inc

Bannockburn, IL • On-site

$150K/yr

Full-time

Posted 14 days ago


Job description

The Director of North American Government Relations will take a leading role in monitoring, developing, and implementing strategies in support of the global electronics ecosystem. The incumbent will lead relationships with Republican members in Congress in addition to relevant federal and state agencies. The ideal candidate will have bipartisan relationships and a demonstrated history of delivering legislative outcomes and impacting federal rulemaking.
RESPONSIBILITIES
• Develop and execute a comprehensive advocacy strategy across federal and state legislative bodies, agencies, and third-party organizations.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for federal and state stakeholders, including legislators, regulators, and policy advisors.
• Build and sustain relationships with key committees of jurisdiction, agencies, and stakeholder groups.
• Participate in coalitions with peer industry associations, research consortia, think tanks.
• Produce hearing memos, policy analysis, white papers; coordinate hearing opportunities, fly-ins, company meetings.
• Collaborate with internal teams (communications, education, standards) to drive policy success.
• Represent the organization at hearings, meetings, industry forums, and relevant events.
• Draft policy positions, proposed legislative text, amendments, comment letters and testimony; track legislation and regulatory dockets.
• Collaborate internally with the communications, education, and standards teams.
• Occasional travel to trade shows, industry events, and member company sites.
REQUIREMENTS
• 7+ years' experience working with Congress and federal agencies.
• Bachelor's Degree required.
• Demonstrated experience in building relationships with policymakers, staff, regulators, and industry peers.
• Must be a team-oriented individual who can operate independently.
• Excellent verbal and written communications skills required.
• Must be able to execute in a high-demand environment while balancing multiple priorities.
• Experience with defense, energy, and/or environment policy preferred.
• Familiarity with Political Action Committee fundraising.
• Experience working with global companies preferred.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office 365 - Teams, Excel, Word.
Global Electronics Association is an Equal Opportunity Employer offering a competitive salary and excellent employee benefits. The Association has a hybrid work environment and this position reports to the Washington D.C. office.
The pay range for this position is $150K Global Electronics Association considers education, experience, internal equity, and other qualifying criteria to determine starting payrates. In addition to compensation benefits, and offers a variety of health and welfare benefits, based on eligibility, including job status/hours worked each week. Please send resume and cover letter to e-mail: lyssabernstein@electronics.org Subject line should say: Director NAGR
Global Electronics Association, formerly known as IPC, is the leading voice of the $6 trillion global electronics industry. Since 1957, we've supported the growth and success of more than 3,000 member companies across the electronics supply chain, from design and printed boards to advanced packaging, assembly, and testing.
As a member-driven organization, we deliver internationally recognized standards, trusted certification programs, workforce education, market intelligence, and public policy advocacy to strengthen and advance the global electronics ecosystem. Our mission is to enable better electronics for a better world through smarter collaboration, resilient supply chains, and shared innovation.
With global headquarters in Bannockburn, Illinois, Global Electronics Association has operations in Belgium, China, Germany, India, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, Taiwan, and the United States and a presence across dozens more countries to support its members.