Associate, State and Local Affairs

LA28 does not provide relocation assistance.

The Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games will be hosted in Los Angeles, California in 2028, returning to the United States for the first time in over 30 years. 2028 will be the first time LA hosts the Paralympic Games, creating an opportunity to expand awareness, understanding and inclusion of people with disabilities.

LA28, the organizers for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Los Angeles, is on a mission to create an unparalleled Games experience for athletes, fans, partners, our community and our people. Our vision is to collectively create what’s next through sport, community and the power of our differences.

The 2028 Olympics and Paralympics will represent LA and leverage the strength of our community’s creativity as we collectively work to design a Games that we all want to be a part of. We do this by focusing on people and by inviting everyone into the story of the LA28 Games.

The LA28 organizing committee is an independent, non-profit organization that is privately funded and governed by a board of directors. 

Values and Behaviors:

• Optimism – Embody a positive, enthusiastic, and solution-oriented attitude in everything we do; challenge the status quo, inspire and support one another to achieve our best; have our eyes on the future and believe we can make a meaningful impact
• Integrity – We communicate openly and honestly, listen, and respectfully value multiple perspectives; we do what we say and are accountable for everything we do; we do the right thing, always. Even when it isn’t easy
• Excellence – We hold ourselves to the highest standard and expectations; we live our values and truths and persevere through challenges; we are continuous learners and adapt and pivot with speed to meet changing needs
• Inclusion – We seek to represent, include, empower and level the playing field; our work reflects the communities we serve and the world in which we live; we leverage our platforms to bring awareness to issues relevant to who we are
• Co-Creation – We are authors of a shared story. Everyone contributes their unique voice to our shared mission; we share pride in our accomplishments and ownership of our shortcomings
• Boldness – We embrace creativity, courage and outside-the-box thinking; we are unafraid to take risks, explore unconventional solutions, and learn from the process; we are innovators, disruptors, and challengers of the status quo

Associate, State and Local 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 Associate, State & Local Affairs will play a pivotal role in advancing LA28’s relationships with state and local partners across the Los Angeles region—helping to strengthen coordination among government stakeholders to ensure alignment, preparedness, and efficient execution of the Games. 

This role supports the day-to-day operations and strategic initiatives of the Government Relations, State & Local Affairs team by managing key stakeholder engagements, preparing materials that inform leadership decisions, and ensuring the smooth execution of meetings and events with government partners. The Associate will also monitor policy developments, track legislative issues, and help the team design and drive strategies and initiatives that enhance our relationships, secure necessary support, and align government partners around key Games priorities. 

The ideal candidate is able to exercise 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:

Project Management 

• Drive the execution of State & Local Affairs projects and initiatives, ensuring progress against timelines and deliverables, while aligning across internal teams and external partners and consultants. 
• Identify and track local and state legislation relevant to LA28’s engagement and priorities and conduct background research and analysis on key policy topics. 
• Develop high-quality briefing materials, reports, and presentations for LA28 executive leadership, government partners, and other stakeholders to support engagements and informed decision-making. 

Stakeholder Engagement 

• Serve as a trusted point of contact for state and local government partners, helping advance LA28’s priorities through clear communication and proactive relationship management. 
• Coordinate high-level engagements with elected officials and government partners, ensuring all aspects—from briefing preparation to meeting execution—are seamless and effective. 
• Proactive follow-up and implementation of meeting outcomes, ensuring commitments and action items are tracked and delivered. 
• Help plan and facilitate in-person visits and events with government leaders, creating opportunities for meaningful collaboration and partnership. 
• Oversee maintenance of organized systems to manage outreach, engagement activity, and stakeholder information, supporting a cohesive government engagement strategy. 

Policy & Legislative Analysis 

• Monitor and summarize relevant legislation, public hearings, and policy developments across state, county, and city levels to inform strategy and engagement. 
• Collaborate with consultants and internal teams to track priority issues and synthesize updates for leadership. 
• Attend hearings or public meetings of interest, providing concise summaries, readouts, or action items to the team. 
• Prepare memos or briefings on assigned policy topics to support decision-making and development of government engagement strategies.

Background & Qualifications:

• Minimum 2+ years of direct experience in government, external relations or other related fast-paced field   
• 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  

• Familiarity with state and local government relations and advocacy 
• Knowledge of legislative and regulatory processes; experience researching and writing background papers and briefings for Senior Leadership  
• Experience in travel coordination and project management  
• Working knowledge of CRM software and project management Software (Smartsheets, etc.)  

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions 

• Availability to work in-person up to five days a week in a Los Angeles-based office and, as required, to attend in-person meetings and events across the County and region.  
• The LA28 office is an open floorplan working environment. Employees must be able to work efficiently in an open cubicle environment. 
• Occasionally, there may be a requirement for working hours outside of traditional business hours/days to support special events, travel, and the 2028 Games.   

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  

Submission Requirements:

• Resume

The annual base salary range for this position is $69,000.00-$75,000.00. 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.