State Government Affairs Manager

Zipline is the world’s largest and most experienced drone delivery service. We are on a mission to serve all humans equally by ensuring access to food, medicine and essential goods anytime, anywhere. We design, build, and operate the world’s largest autonomous logistics system, delivering critical supplies quickly and reliably. Today, Zipline operates on four continents, makes a delivery somewhere in the world every 30 seconds, and has completed millions of deliveries to date, including blood, vaccines, medical supplies, food, and retail products. 

Our customers include the world’s largest and most prominent healthcare systems, governments, retailers, restaurants and global businesses who rely on us to save lives, reduce emissions, increase economic opportunity, and provide delivery from point A to point B as fast as possible. The drone is only 15% of what we’ve built to enable seamless, reliable, global operations.

Our system strengthens supply chains, reduces congestion, and gives people time back. With more than 140 million commercial autonomous miles safely flown, Zipline is redefining access to healthcare, consumer products, and food across the globe.

We operate at a global scale and are looking for practical problem solvers who thrive on real-world challenges and rapid growth. Our team is motivated by building systems that have a direct, meaningful impact on people’s lives and by scaling the future of logistics. We are seeking people who sculpt from first principles, enjoy facing adversity, and can do the impossible at record breaking speeds.

Zipline has entered a period of rapid expansion across the United States and we’re seeking a seasoned State Government Affairs Manager to guide our efforts at the state level of government across multiple states.

Our ideal candidate for this role has real world experience impacting state government processes and politics, excellent communication and organization skills, is capable of managing competing priorities with extreme ownership, and thrives in a fast-paced and evolving regulatory environment. If this sounds like you, we invite you to apply and become a part of our mission to build a logistics system that serves all people equally.

This position may be remote or based at our South San Francisco HQ.

• Implement the team’s overall Government Affairs strategy in assigned states.
• Serve as an important public face for Zipline, managing state-level government relationships including governors, state legislators, state agencies, and associated staff in a portfolio of states.
• Oversee all public policy functions in assigned states including tracking bills and agency rules, proposing specific offensive and defensive solutions, and advocating publicly and privately on Zipline’s behalf.
• Engage and maintain relationships with aligned interest groups including industry, business, and other public-policy focused organizations to create coalitions around shared priorities.
• Serve as a trusted expert on key issues related to operating an autonomous drone delivery network, including site infrastructure needed to scale; trust in our approach to safety, sound, and privacy; and the value and impact our service can have for people and communities where we operate.
• Oversee lobbyists and consultants in assigned states, recommending and interviewing individuals and firms when needed.
• Conduct and track routine outreach to state officials including email, in-person meetings, Zipline site visits, and through attendance at state and national conferences.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with multiple teams to ensure operational consistency

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience
• 4+ years of experience working in government affairs at the state or local level, with an emphasis on the intersection of public policy, innovation, and new technology
• Ability and willingness to travel up to 50% of the time
• Confidence in presenting new and complex technology in a way that inspires your audience, shapes public perception, and addresses common areas of concern
• Ability to build trust quickly because you are authentic, direct, and care about the communities where you work
• Passion for new technology and the benefits it can provide to people and communities
• Excellent communication (verbal and written), advocacy, and interpersonal skills
• Enjoyment of working in high-stakes and time-sensitive situations, and enthusiasm for securing business-critical regulatory approvals alongside the business
• Bonus points for relevant experience working on technology policy issues within state and local government (ideally autonomy, robotics, transportation, or related fields)

The starting cash range for this role is $140,000 - $175,000. Please note that this is a target starting cash range for a candidate who meets the minimum qualifications for this role. The final cash payment for this role will depend on various factors, including a specific candidate's experience, qualifications, skills, working location, and projected impact. The total compensation package for this role may include equity compensation; discretionary annual or performance bonuses; sales incentives; benefits such as medical, dental, and vision insurance; paid time off; and more.