Director of Government Affairs

Full-Time in United States - Remote OK - $80k - $100k

Ameelio has quickly established itself as the future of prison communication and virtual learning. We were recently chosen as one of TIME’s 100 Most Influential Companies and received a New York Times Good Tech Award. Ameelio launched the nation’s first free prison video conferencing platform and is currently operating 6 states – Iowa, Colorado, Maine, Rhode Island, Illinois, and Indiana – and internationally in Pakistan.

As we prepare to expand, we're looking for a full-time hire to join our small and nimble product team to help us in scaling the nation’s first free prison communications platform.

*Note: We are a startup. The ideal candidate is comfortable with ambiguity and strategy, bringing a sense of flexibility and urgency to the role as the organization evolves.*

In Brief

We’re seeking an experienced policy expert who can leverage their expertise to research and collaborate on policy issues with legislative bodies and think tanks, monitor legislation and regulatory issues, and attend conferences at the intersection of prison technology and policy.

You’ll also work closely with Ameelio’s growing operations team to observe the successful adoption of Ameelio’s communications and education services and onboarding for new facilities, families, and correctional stakeholders.

What we're looking for

7+ years of experience working on state-level legislative processes.
Ability to conduct quick policy analyses and clearly synthesize the implications of those policies on Ameelio.
Excellent writing and editing skills with strong attention to detail.
Demonstrated project management skills.
Effective communication skills, including ability to convey Ameelio’s exceptional technical attributes and value to non-technical audiences.
Strong research skills to identify key decision-makers and relevant information about potential clients.
Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, highly technical, environment. This will involve developing deep familiarity with Ameelio’s software platforms and how they are used in county jails and state prisons.
Good judgment and impeccable ethics; desire to succeed in a demanding, innovative, entrepreneurial environment.
Willingness to travel within the US.

Responsibilities include

Cultivating and maintaining relationships with legislators and Congressional staff, Executive Branch and agency officials, and key state policymakers.
Driving and coordinating external advocacy efforts in support of Ameelio’s strategic business objectives.
Identifying and analyzing legislative and regulatory opportunities and risks and developing strategies to help Ameelio navigate Federal, State, and County policy debates.
Counseling and advising business partners about government-led initiatives that could impact Ameelio’s growth and innovation.
Represent the company in government meetings, hearings, and industry events.
Helping to oversee external lobbyists and outside consultants who aid Ameelio in advocating for favorable policies related to prison communications and education and other issues critical to our success.
Facilitating collaborative alliances between Ameelio and key partners, including policymakers, industry associations, and coalition partners.

Why you'll love us

A welcoming and collaborative environment with people who are dedicating their lives to fighting the commercialization of incarceration
Experience working closely with users who rely on our products to stay in touch with their loved ones
An environment for rapid experimentation and ownership
Ownership of processes that deliver society-changing impact
Contributing to the foundation and culture of a young and growing organization
Experience working cross-functionally and exposure to a variety of business functions
An incredibly high bar for the quality of your work
Flexible and remote working environment
Comprehensive health insurance coverage
Paid annual company retreat
Unlimited PTO policy
Compensation: $80,000 - $100,000

About Ameelio

Ameelio is a nonprofit technology company that builds free technology to accelerate the creation of a more humane and rehabilitative justice system. Our tools will enable 27 million Americans to communicate with their incarcerated loved ones for free, organizations to scale their social services, and educators to empower incarcerated people through virtual learning. We are a technological bridge that reconnects incarcerated people with their families and vital resources — for free. Our tools will help improve post-release outcomes, lower recidivism rates, and help America safely reduce the size of its prison populations.

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