Manager, State Affairs

LA28 does not provide relocation assistance.

LA28 is the independent, non-profit, privately funded organizing committee for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games. We are on a singular mission to create an Olympic and Paralympic Games that celebrate all that this city and country have to offer, delivering an unparalleled experience for athletes, fans, partners and our community.

The 2028 Games mark the return of the Summer Games to the U.S. for the first time in 32 years and Los Angeles’ third time hosting an Olympic Games and first time welcoming the Paralympic Games. This presents the unique and exciting opportunity to celebrate our legacy with the Games and push the Olympic and Paralympic Movements forward, writing a new chapter of Games history in Los Angeles.

Putting on an Olympic and Paralympic Games is a team sport. To build a Games unlike any the world has seen before, we need the best team in place–a team full of perspectives, experiences and expertise. We are guided by the following set of values and behaviors–optimism, integrity, excellence, inclusion, co-creation and boldness–and look forward to hearing about how your past experiences align with them.

Manager, State Affairs:

The Government Relations team builds and sustains LA28’s partnerships with elected and appointed officials at every level of government to ensure the successful delivery of the Olympic and Paralympic Games. The Manager, State Affairs will play a pivotal role in advancing LA28’s relationships with state partners in California—helping to strengthen coordination among government stakeholders and execute LA28’s state advocacy agenda.

This role serves as a key point of contact for California state legislative offices, statewide administration officials, and agency and department partners. The Manager coordinates workstreams related to the State of California across the organization, monitors legislative and regulatory developments to identify opportunities and potential risks, and helps drive LA28’s state legislative, budget, and regulatory priorities while shaping engagement strategies to secure critical support for the Games. 

The ideal candidate exercises sound judgment and is detail-oriented, proactive, and thrives in a fast-paced environment where organization, adaptability, and communication are key. They bring a passion for public service and a deep interest in the intersection of sports, government, and policy. This role reports to the Senior Manager, State & Local Affairs and works closely with colleagues across LA28 and external partners to help deliver a once-in-a-generation event for Los Angeles and the world. 

Key Responsibilities:

Stakeholder Engagement

• Serve as a trusted point of contact for California state legislative offices, statewide administration officials, and agency and department partners, advancing LA28’s priorities through clear communication and proactive relationship management
• Oversee high-level engagements with state government partners, ensuring all aspects—from briefing preparation to meeting execution—are seamless and effective.
• Collaborate with internal functional teams to facilitate and oversee coordinated stakeholder outreach to state government partners.
• Manage action items and follow-ups from stakeholder meetings to ensure relational accountability.
• Help plan and facilitate presentations at public forums and events with government leaders, creating opportunities for meaningful collaboration and partnership.
• Analyze stakeholder interests, concerns, and sentiment to inform engagement strategies

Project Management

• Drive the execution of State & Local Affairs projects and initiatives, ensuring progress against timelines and deliverables, while aligning across internal teams, external partners and consultants.
• Develop high-quality briefing materials, reports, and presentations in collaboration with executive leadership, government bodies, and external stakeholders.
• Lead execution of LA28’s state legislative, budget, and regulatory priorities, managing all aspects of the respective workstreams. Policy & Legislative Analysis
• Oversee key legislation and regulatory initiatives, identifying opportunities and potential risks to the organization and providing strategic insights, recommendations, and risk assessments to inform program planning and decision-making.
• Manage coordination with external consultants and internal cross-functional teams to track priority issues and synthesize clear, actionable updates for leaderships. 
• Attend hearings or public meetings of interest, providing concise summaries, readouts, or action items to the team.
• Provide strategic recommendations on assigned policy topics to support decision-making and development of government engagement strategies.

Background & Qualifications:

• Minimum 5+ years of experience in government, government relations, or a related fast-paced environment, with a demonstrated track record of driving initiatives with California State Government
• Experience building and maintaining relationships with California state legislators and across the statewide administration, including with agencies and departments 
• Strong teamwork and interpersonal skills 
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize and contribute under pressure, see a project through to completion, and meet tight deadlines 
• Extremely detail-oriented with excellent organizational, operational and program execution skills
• Well-developed problem-solving skills and ability to use good judgment and work independently, while also knowing when to seek feedback and buy-in
• An enthusiastic, entrepreneurial spirit, and the ability to thrive through a period of change and growth
• Commitment to understanding the stakeholder landscape, including political trends and its impact on LA28 initiatives
• Fluency working with Office suite products, with demonstrated ability to utilize advanced features/functions in Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint, and an ability to adapt rapidly to new organizational tools as they are integrated by LA28
• Ability to handle sensitive information with discretion and professionalism

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of California state legislative and regulatory processes and considerations related to the sporting and live events industries
• Experience researching and drafting background papers, briefings, and presentation materials for Senior Leadership
• Working knowledge of CRM software and project management software (Smartsheet's, etc.)

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions

• Ability to work on-site in an open office environment, based in Los Angeles, CA and, to attend in-person meetings and events across the Southern California region. 
• The LA28 office is an open floorplan working environment. Employees must be able to work efficiently in an open cubicle environment.
• Hours of work may vary, including evenings, weekends, and holidays, especially during peak event periods. 

Position Requirements:

Education:

• An undergraduate degree in public policy, political science, or related field or equivalent work experience 

Expectations:

• Innovative Approach – Ability to identify opportunities, develop new ideas and execute on creative concepts while managing to a budget
• Influencing Skills – Ability to drive organizational alignment through collaboration
• Flexible Approach – Ability to roll with the transitional nature of the organization as it grows and establishes itself over the next 2 years
• Challenger Mindset – Inclination to drive ongoing improvement in people and process

The annual base salary range for this position is $88,000 - $115,000. The pay scale provided is the range that LA28 reasonably expects to pay as starting base compensation for this role. All LA28 compensation remains subject to final determination based on individual candidate qualifications, experience, or other reasonable criteria consistent with LA28’s operational business needs and applicable law.

LA28 does not provide relocation assistance.

LA28 is committed to operating fair and unbiased recruitment procedures allowing all applicants an equal opportunity for employment, free from discrimination on the basis of religion, race, sex, age, sexual orientation, disability, color, ethnic or national origin, or any other classification as may be protected by applicable law. We strive to build a team that is diverse, inclusive and encourages qualified candidates of all backgrounds, perspectives, and identities to apply. We will consider all qualified candidates with criminal histories in a manner consistent with local law. We assess applications based on relevant skills, education, and experience a candidate can add to our team.