Employment
The Washington Hospitality Association is a member-driven organization committed to the success of the hospitality industry. We have a passion for helping small business owners thrive and achieve greatness.
The team members who have found success working for our organization are customer service-oriented, responsive, trustworthy, and relationship-driven. Experience in the hospitality industry is a nice bonus but not required.
We have a mix of in office, hybrid, and fully remote positions that are determined by the specific roles as noted in each job posting.
You will get a strong sense of who we are, what we do, and our core values from our About Us page. Be sure to check that out before submitting a job application. You may also want to browse some of the resources available from The Table Group to learn more about the foundations of our company culture.
If this sounds like a place you’d like to work, let’s chat!
Current Openings
Posted March 31, 2026
State Government Affairs Senior Manager
General Information
- Job Title: State Government Affairs Senior Manager
- Location: 510 Plum Street SE, Olympia, WA 98501-1587, United States
- Base Pay: $135,072.00 – $178,891.00 / Year
- Employee Type: Regular Full Time
Position Description
The State Government Affairs Senior Manager is responsible for delivering wins on behalf of the hospitality industry in accordance with state policy objectives set by our membership. This position reports to the State Government Affairs Director. The State Government Affairs Senior manager is responsible for executing the Association’s advocacy strategy on assigned policy areas, supporting the grassroots and political/campaign strategies, as well as supporting the development of public relations strategy.
Essential duties and responsibilities that include but are not limited to:
Primary
- Execute advocacy strategy on assigned policy areas, ensuring that all positions are in line with member objectives.
- Assist in the development of political, campaign, grassroots strategy.
- Assist in the development and execution of statewide public relations strategy.
- Represent the Association on identified issues before the legislature and state agencies.
- Proactively identify emerging issues, working collaboratively with the National Restaurant Association, the AH&LA, and our counterparts in other states.
- Assist in developing member talking points on assigned issue areas.
- Coordinate with the Communications team to ensure accurate information is communicated through Association vehicles.
- Assist in identifying webinar and alternative education opportunities for our members
- Supervision and development of direct reports on the State Government Affairs team.
Department and Other Support
- Active participation in all-team activities.
- Provide collaboration with other Association teams as needed.
- Attendance of all assigned committee meetings.
- Train new department staff according to their designated training plan.
- Mentorship of other team members on the State Government Affairs team.
- Assist in creating the department’s strategic vision and financial goals, while managing member resources appropriately.
Skills and Requirements
General
- Demonstrates excellent communication skills, included but not limited to: both written and oral, information gathering, data collection, analysis, talking points and messaging.
- Produces high-quality work under pressure and meets deadlines.
- Communicates effectively with groups and individuals.
- Able to communicate complex policy and legal information to diverse audiences.
- Ability to build positive relationships with the Association staff, teams and members.
- Works well with a variety of management styles and individuals.
- Ability to work cooperatively and collaboratively with other associations, industry groups and media.
- Ability to plan, implement and manage a campaign or communications for an elected official.
- Is self-driven, detail oriented, organized, and efficient.
- Has excellent follow-through and is results focused.
- Displays a commitment to quality in all work.
- Maintains confidentiality when required.
- Prioritizes work and projects to meet Association mission and vision.
Technical Qualifications
- Strong knowledge of Microsoft Office including Word, Excel and Outlook.
- Proficient with Zoom or other webinar programs.
- Ability to work with a variety of electronics including laptop, smart phone and tablet.
Position Requirements
- 4-year degree or 4 years equivalent training in a professional setting
- Minimum of 6 years experience in lobbying the State Legislature or Comparable Government Affairs Experience
- Experience and understanding of basic public disclosure commission rules, statutes, and procedures.
Physical/Mental Environment
- In-person office attendance required.
- Must be able to work the legislative schedule, January – May in Olympia, with availability which may start at 7 am and last until the Legislature concludes their work for the day. This may include very late evenings.
- Ability to travel in state for meetings with candidates and lawmakers in district, attend member meetings
- Limited out of state travel (one or two times annually)
- Ability to safely and successfully perform the essential job functions consistent with ADA, FMLA and other federal, state and local standards.
- Regularly required to stand, walk and sit; use hands to handle objects and feel controls; reach; climb stairs; stoop; crouch; talk; listen; and vision capabilities that enable reading and viewing a computer screen. Ability to lift up to 20 lbs.
- Ability to maintain regular, punctual attendance consistent with the ADA, FMLA and other federal, state and local standards.
- Ability to work in a high stress and fast paced environment.
This is a summary of the essential job functions and level of work performance for this position. This is not a complete list of all job duties and management reserves the right to modify, add or remove duties as business needs require and shall not be construed as a promise or contract of employment or of any specific duties.
Compensation
The starting range for this position is $135,072 to $149,679 annually, depending on experience. (Range for the position depending on qualifications and experience factors is $135,072 to $178,891 annually)
Outstanding benefits include:
- Medical, dental, and vision plans
- Term life and long-term disability insurance
- 401k retirement plan
- Up to 120 hours of paid time off accrued per year
- 14 paid holidays
- Paid sick leave in accordance with WA state law
Washington Hospitality Association is committed to the success of the industry. Our core values include:
- Passion to Serve
- Accountability to Each Other and to Our Members
- Healthy and Constructive Conflict
- Desire for Greatness
- Attention to Results
- Commitment to Excellence
- Trust in Our Team
Washington Hospitality Association is an equal opportunity employer.
