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About the Role
The Mackinac Center seeks a director of legislative affairs to work with the senior strategist for state affairs overseeing the organization’s Michigan legislative initiatives and relationships. This includes the day-to-day management of policy priorities, communications, and relationships with the Michigan Legislature and executive branch; representation of the Center at state legislative functions and state coalition meetings; and working with policy leads, research, and outreach to drive legislative campaigns. The director may also be asked to manage emerging policy areas of interest to the Center that are not already under the purview of one of our policy analysts.
The position is based in the Center’s Lansing satellite office and reports to the senior strategist for state affairs. Applicants should possess at least a bachelor’s degree, five or more years of Michigan legislative experience, and a passion for articulating how the principles of free markets and limited government benefit everyone. Strong candidates will also have excellent interpersonal skills, public-facing communications experience, and policy depth. Travel to Midland headquarters twice per month, plus occasional in-state and out-of-state events and conferences.
Job Duties:
The director of legislative affair will contribute to the broader outreach and communications department team by working with the vice president for strategy and communications to pursue advocacy, network-building, and community engagement focused on expanding awareness and support for the Center’s legislative priorities.
About the Mackinac Center
The Mackinac Center for Public Policy is an educational and research institute located in Midland, Michigan. We advance liberty and opportunity for all people. We develop free-market policy recommendations, challenge government overreach, and foster a climate of public opinion that encourages policymakers to act in the public interest.
Thanks to the Mackinac Center’s work, Michigan teachers are free to work without being forced to pay for a political agenda they disagree with; families enjoy new educational options and students can attend public schools without being required to go to the closest one; ridesharing drivers can operate without committing a crime just for giving someone a ride; the Michigan governor is not permitted to declare endless emergencies; and taxpayers no longer subsidize Hollywood production companies.
The Mackinac Center for Public Policy is ranked among the top five percent of think tanks in the nation, according to the University of Pennsylvania, and its people have been recognized through numerous state and national awards. The Mackinac Center’s model for understanding policy change — the Overton Window of Political Possibility — is frequently cited by policymakers, journalists and academics.
To Apply
Qualified candidates should submit as PDFs their resume with a cover letter detailing their interest in the position, alignment with the Mackinac Center’s mission, and salary requirements. While we thank all applicants in advance for their interest in this position, we are only able to contact those to whom we can offer an interview. No phone calls please.
To be considered for this position, please email your resume and cover letter to:
Patricia Benner
Vice President of Operations
Mackinac Center for Public Policy
140 West Main Street
P. O. Box 568
Midland, Michigan 48640
The Mackinac Center for Public Policy is a nonprofit research and educational institute that advances the principles of free markets and limited government. Through our research and education programs, we challenge government overreach and advocate for a free-market approach to public policy that frees people to realize their potential and dreams.
For more information about the Mackinac Center please visit
