State Government Affairs Director - Austin, TX

At Dow, we believe in putting people first and we’re passionate about delivering integrity, respect and safety to our customers, our employees and the planet.  

 

Our people are at the heart of our solutions. They reflect the communities we live in and the world where we do business. Their diversity is our strength. We’re a community of relentless problem solvers that offers the daily opportunity to contribute with your perspective, transform industries and shape the future. Our purpose is simple - to deliver a sustainable future for the world through science and collaboration. If you’re looking for a challenge and meaningful role, you’re in the right place.

About you and this role

Dow has an exciting opportunity for a State Government Affairs Director located in Austin, TX!

In this role, you will develop and execute integrated state government affairs, advocacy, political engagement, and stakeholder strategies that advance Dow's business objectives, protect the company's license to operate, and strengthen Dow's reputation as a trusted partner in economic growth, manufacturing, innovation, and sustainability. You will leverage your network and deep expertise, to anticipate emerging legislative, regulatory, and political developments that may impact the business. You will translate complex issues into actionable strategies, provide strategic counsel to senior leaders, and effectively influence diverse stakeholders by communicating complex concepts with clarity and credibility.

You will proactively identify opportunities and risks, anticipate potential objections, and build alignment across internal and external audiences to advance business priorities. Success in this role requires the ability to influence decision-making at senior levels and advocate for positions that may challenge existing perspectives. You will lead the resolution of complex, high-impact challenges with broad business implications and drive strategic initiatives involving significant risk, visibility, and organizational complexity. This includes developing and executing implementation strategies, directing priorities and resources, and ensuring alignment with business objectives. Operating with a high degree of autonomy, you will make decisions within broad corporate policies and industry frameworks, while shaping the direction, effectiveness, and long-term impact of government affairs programs and engagement strategies.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute state government affairs strategies aligned with Dow's business priorities and advocacy objectives.
• Build and maintain relationships with governors, legislators, economic development officials, and other stakeholders to advance Dow's interests.
• Serve as the principal advisor to business and site leaders on state legislative, regulatory, political, and economic developments, translating emerging policy risks and opportunities into actionable business strategies.  Responsible for high level executive prep and briefs.
• Represent Dow before state legislative bodies, executive branch agencies, regulatory authorities, and other governmental entities.
• Establish and leverage a sophisticated network of policymakers, political leaders, and third-party stakeholders to shape outcomes and advance Dow's policy priorities.
• Develop and execute advocacy strategies on legislative, regulatory, policy, and political issues impacting Dow and the broader manufacturing sector.
• Draft, review, and support proposed legislative amendments, regulatory language, and official comments during rulemaking and legislative processes.
• Coordinate advocacy efforts across Dow manufacturing sites, business leaders, trade associations, NGOs, and external consultants to ensure a unified approach.
• Represent Dow within key industry, trade, and busines
• s associations and help shape coalition advocacy strategies, policy positions, and stakeholder engagement efforts.
• Advance policies that promote manufacturing competitiveness, energy affordability, infrastructure investment, workforce development, innovation, and economic growth.
• Act as a strategic advocate on behalf of Dow, helping shape the policy environment and influence future legislative and regulatory outcomes in assigned states or regions.
• Coordinate advocacy efforts across Dow manufacturing sites, business leaders, trade associations, NGOs, and external consultants to ensure alignment on policy priorities and advocacy strategies
• Support Dow's political engagement activities, including relationship development with elected officials and participation in company-approved political and stakeholder engagement programs.

Required Qualifications

• A minimum of a bachelor's degree or relevant military experience at or above a U.S. E5 or Canadian Petty Officer 2nd Class or Sergeant ranking. 
• A minimum of 10 years of public policy and/or government advocacy experience. 
• A minimum requirement for this position is the ability to work legally in the United States.  No visa sponsorship/support is available for this position, including for any type of U.S. permanent residency (green card) process. 

Preferred Qualifications

• Graduate degree in law, public policy/government, economics, statistical analysis/business or related field preferred
• Prior public sector experience.

Skills

• Communication: Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills.
• Prioritization: Ability to manage tight deadlines and prioritize workload effectively.
• Analytical Thinking: Analytical skills and statistical reasoning are necessary.
• Issues Advocacy: Proven skills in government advocacy, influential leadership, and overall knowledge of industry
• Public Policies: Demonstrated ability to anticipate policy and political developments and proactively shape outcomes through advocacy, coalition-building, and stakeholder engagement.

Additional Notes

Relocation assistance is not available for this position.

 

Benefits – What Dow offers you 

We invest in you. 
 

Dow invests in total rewards programs to help you manage all aspects of you: your pay, your health, your life, your future, and your career. You bring your background, talent, and perspective to work every day. Dow rewards that commitment by investing in your total wellbeing.  

Here are just a few highlights of what you would be offered as a Dow employee: 

• Equitable and market-competitive base pay and bonus opportunity across our global markets, along with locally relevant incentives. 
• Benefits and programs to support your physical, mental, financial, and social well-being, to help you get the care you need...when you need it. 
• Competitive retirement program that may include company-provided benefits, savings opportunities, financial planning, and educational resources to help you achieve your long term financial-goals. 
  • Employee stock purchase programs (availability varies depending on location).
• Student Debt Retirement Savings Match Program (U.S. only).
  • Dow will take the value of monthly student debt payments and apply them as if they are contributions to the Employees’ Savings Plan (401(k)), helping employees reach the Company match.
• Robust medical and life insurance packages that offer a variety of coverage options to meet your individual needs. Travel insurance is also available in certain countries/locations.
• Opportunities to learn and grow through training and mentoring, work experiences, community involvement and team building. 
• Workplace culture empowering role-based flexibility to maximize personal productivity and balance personal needs. 
• Competitive yearly vacation allowance.
• Paid time off for new parents (birthing and non-birthing, including adoptive and foster parents).  
• Paid time off to care for family members who are sick or injured.  
• Paid time off to support volunteering and Employee Resource Group’s (ERG) participation. 
• Wellbeing Portal for all Dow employees, our one-stop shop to promote wellbeing, empowering employees to take ownership of their entire wellbeing journey.
• On-site fitness facilities to help stay healthy and active (availability varies depending on location).
• Employee discounts for online shopping, cinema tickets, gym memberships and more.
• Additionally, some of our locations might offer:
  • Transportation allowance (availability varies depending on location)
  • Meal subsidiaries/vouchers (availability varies depending on location)
  • Carbon-neutral transportation incentives e.g. bike to work (availability varies depending on location)

Join our team, we can make a difference together.

About Dow
Dow (NYSE: DOW) is one of the world’s leading materials science companies, serving customers in high-growth markets such as packaging, infrastructure, mobility and consumer applications. Our global breadth, asset integration and scale, focused innovation, leading business positions and commitment to sustainability enable us to achieve profitable growth and help deliver a sustainable future. We operate manufacturing sites in 30 countries and employ approximately 36,000 people. Dow delivered sales of approximately $43 billion in 2024. References to Dow or the Company mean Dow Inc. and its subsidiaries. ​​​​Learn more about us and our ambition to be the most innovative, customer-centric, inclusive and sustainable materials science company in the world by visiting www.dow.com.

As part of our dedication to inclusion, Dow is committed to equal opportunities in employment. We encourage every employee to bring their whole self to work each day to not only deliver more value, but also have a more fulfilling career. Further information regarding Dow's equal opportunities is available on www.dow.com.

Dow is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and is committed to providing opportunities without regard for race, color, religion, sex, including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity, national origin, age, disability and genetic information, including family medical history. We are also committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application procedures. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may call us at 1-833-My Dow HR (833-693-6947) and select option 8.