Deputy Legislative Director

Deputy Legislative Director (260003A3) The Executive Office of Veterans Services (EOVS) serves as the primary advocate for veterans, active service members, and their families across the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. EOVS is committed to ensuring that veterans and their families have awareness of and access to the benefits, services, and support they have earned, and that they are treated with dignity, honor, and respect. Through its oversight of veterans’ programs, state‑operated Veterans’ Homes, Memorial Cemeteries, outreach initiatives, and constituent services, EOVS works to improve the lives of those who have served and their loved ones. The Deputy Legislative Director reports to the Legislative Director and is responsible for supporting and monitoring the EOVS legislative agenda, as well as policy and advocacy initiatives that impact service members, veterans, and their families. The role focuses on developing legislative, policy, and political strategies to promote EOVS programs, services, and administrative priorities. Key responsibilities include supporting EOVS relations with federal, state, and local elected officials and their staff, educating legislators on Veterans’ Services programs, managing and coordinating legislative inquiries and touchpoints, and ensuring accurate and timely responses aligned with administration goals. The Deputy Legislative Director develops and tracks hundreds of bills each legislative session, monitors the annual budget cycle and supplemental budgets, and prepares legislative briefing materials, testimony, bill summaries, policy memoranda, and other documents for senior leadership. Additional duties involve providing administrative support to the Secretary and Legislative Director—such as managing legislative meetings, hearings, public events, stakeholder engagement activities, board and commission meetings—and assisting with event planning and operational support for high‑profile EOVS events and ceremonies. Travel statewide is required to support legislative meetings, EOVS events, hearings, and stakeholder engagement activities. Duties & Responsibilities Manage the development, monitoring, and execution of the EOVS legislative agenda, including tracking bills, amendments, policy initiatives, and legislative priorities aligned with Secretariat and Administration goals. Monitor the annual budget cycle and supplemental budgets. Ensure timely follow‑up and alignment on emerging legislative and policy issues. Lead administrative and operational efforts, including staffing legislative meetings, hearings, boards, commissions, councils, working groups, and public events. Plan and coordinate initiatives and events, including Veterans Day, Military Appreciation Day, and other stakeholder engagement activities. Prepare legislative briefing materials, testimony, bill summaries, policy memoranda, and talking points. Provide strategic recommendations related to high‑profile initiatives, budget matters, and sensitive issues impacting veterans and their families. Manage legislative relations and stakeholder engagement activities, coordinating with federal, state, and local elected officials, their staff, veteran‑serving organizations, advocacy groups, and community stakeholders. Determine legislative response priorities, timelines, and follow‑up actions for bills, amendments, budget items, and inquiries from elected officials and stakeholders. Other duties as assigned. Preferred Qualifications Demonstrated knowledge of legislative, budget, and policy development processes at the state and federal levels. Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare testimony, briefing materials, bill summaries, policy memoranda, and constituent responses. Ability to manage multiple priorities and competing deadlines in a fast‑paced environment and exercise sound judgment and discretion in handling sensitive and confidential matters. Strong analytical and organizational skills, with the ability to track legislation, assess policy impacts, and gather information from multiple sources. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with elected officials, legislative staff, stakeholders, and internal leadership. Ability to work both independently and as part of a team. Attendance at meetings outside of regular business hours (evenings, weekends, holidays) and willingness to travel for work‑related purposes as required. Valid Massachusetts Class 3 Motor Vehicle Operator’s license required. Minimum Entrance Requirements Applicants must have at least five (5) years of full‑time or equivalent part‑time professional experience in business administration, public administration, clinical administration, or related fields. Equivalent qualifications may be substituted as follows: a certificate for one (1) year, a Bachelor’s degree for two (2) years, a Graduate degree for three (3) years, or a Doctorate degree for four (4) years of experience. Benefits Potentially eligible for a hybrid work schedule: Yes. Equal Opportunity and Diversity An Equal Opportunity /affirmative Action Employer. Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply. The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) may self‑select out of opportunities if they don’t meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role. If you have diversity, affirmative action or equal employment opportunity questions or need a reasonable accommodation, please contact the Diversity Officer / ADA Coordinator: Ramanda Morgan (View email address on click.appcast.io – View phone number on click.appcast.io). #J-18808-Ljbffr Commonwealth of Massachusetts