Regional Director of Government and Community Relations

The Regional Director of Government & Community Relations (GCR) advances AIRs public policy priorities across key East Coast markets. This leader is charged with growing AIRs relationships and engagement with local and state policymakers community stakeholders and industry partners to advance business interests across our portfolio of multifamily communities while mitigating regulatory policy political and public affairs risks. This position serves as a primary representative of AIR in the region and a strategic advisor to internal teams on political legislative and regulatory developments that affect AIRs business.

Where You Will Work:

AIR values relationships and the benefits from working side by side with teammates therefore this position will be in-office 5 days a week to in AIRs Bethesda office to support the team.

Key Responsibilities

1. Execute AIRs GCR strategy across assigned East Coast markets in alignment with enterprise priorities.
2. Act as the regional subject matter expert on political legislative and regulatory matters.
3. Monitor analyze and interpret state and local legislative and regulatory activity;
4. Assess the business impact of proposed laws and policy trends offering strategic guidance to inform decisionmaking and risk mitigation.
5. Advocate for outcomes that support AIRs business objectives (e.g. housing land use permitting taxation and other real estate-related issues).
6. Represent AIR with elected officials agencies community organizations trade associations chambers of commerce and policy coalitions to elevate AIRs profile and advance shared policy goals.
7. Build and maintain relationships with policymakers staff industry partners and community leaders to strengthen AIRs regional presence and reputation.
8. Support property-level government matters (land use permitting code enforcement community matters) in partnership with on-site and operations teams.
9. Coordinate with the GCR Team Lead on messaging planning reporting and knowledge-sharing; support political engagement and community partnership strategy.
10. Build and cultivate strategic coalitions partnerships and alliances with industry associations advocacy groups and other stakeholders to amplify advocacy efforts.
11. Partner with onsite and operational teams to navigate government processes and resolve issues that could affect AIR properties or residents.

12.  BF1Do we want to specify which markets are included (DC MD VA FL GA NC SC MA)

     BF2Shelly - do we need to mention:

    1.) Expectations for being in the office (minimum 4 days per week unless traveling)

    2.) Travel expectations (approximately 20%)

Qualifications :

Education: Bachelors degree in public policy political science government public administration urban planning communications or related field (Masters degree preferred and may be substituted with equivalent experience).

Experience: At least five years experience in government relations public policy legislative affairs political strategy experience with state and local processes; Experience building and maintaining relationships with elected officials agency staff community organizations and industry partners; comfort representing an organization in public forums and stakeholder settings; real estate housing policy zoning permitting or regulated-industry exposure is a plus.

Core skills: Policy analysis; clear written and verbal communication; relationship-building and advocacy; sound judgment and strategic thinking; ability to manage multiple priorities across a dispersed portfolio; cross-functional collaboration (operations legal development corporate leadership).

Attributes: Diplomatic collaborative solutions-oriented; able to build trust with diverse stakeholders; adaptable in fast-changing environments.

Additional Information :

AIR offers attractive total compensation packages designed to recognize and reward performance at the individual team and company levels. We start with a competitive base salary and add bonus opportunities and benefit choices topped off with:

• Expected base salary of $175000-$190000. You will be provided a pay rate that is in line with your skills and experience as they relate to the requirements of the job.
• Base salary plus annual bonus.
• 25% Rent Discount available
• Medical dental vision and life insurance options available. HSA with company sponsored contributions FSA (traditional and dependent care FSA).
• Short and long-term disability paid by the company.
• 401(K) plus 6% company contributions.
• Paid Vacation 14 Paid Holidays and Paid Sick Time.
• Tuition Assistance Program.
• Commuter Benefits and Pet-Insurance.
• Up to 100% Reimbursement on Professional Certification/Licensing for Job Related Curriculums.
• Paid parental leave of up to 16 weeks following the birth or adoption of a child.
• Consumer discounts from various products and services including travel planning wireless phones health and fitness home appliances and more.
• 15 hours of paid time annually to give-back to your community.
• Opportunities for professional development and career growth including realistic job previews in person and virtual leadership training and performance improvement courses.

What You Need to Know

Application Deadline: The initial deadline for applications is 5/1/2026. Applications submitted after this date may still be considered on a rolling basis until the position/program is filled. We encourage all interested candidates to apply as early as possible. If a final decision has not been made by the initial deadline subsequent applications will be reviewed as they are received. 

Candidates extended an offer will be required to undergo pre-employment screening that includes checking references a four-panel drug screening that excludes marijuana testing employment verification & criminal background check.

AIR values diversity and provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment. AIR prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race color religion age sex national origin disability status genetics protected veteran status sexual orientation gender identity or expression or any other characteristic protected by federal state or local laws.

Remote Work :

No

Employment Type :

Full-time