Manager of Multistate Public Affairs

Job description

About Helion We are a fusion power company based in Everett, WA, with the mission to build the world's first fusion power plant, enabling a future with unlimited clean electricity. Our vision is a world with clean, reliable, and affordable energy for everyone. Since Helion's founding in 2013, we have raised $1.5 billion from long-time investors such as Sam Altman, Mithril, and Capricorn Investment Group as well as new investors including Thrive Capital, LightSpeed Venture Capital, SoftBank, and others to propel us forward. Our current prototype, Polaris, has reached record-breaking plasma temperatures of 150 million degrees Celsius (13 keV). Helion is continuing to iterate and on the path to the world's first fusion power plant, Orion. This is a pivotal time to join Helion. You will tackle real-world challenges with a team that prizes urgency, rigor, ownership, and a commitment to delivering hard truths – values essential to achieving what no one has before. Together, we will change the future of energy, because the world can't wait. We’re looking for a Manager of Multistate Public Affairs to join our Public Affairs team. This role will translate Helion’s multistate policy and business priorities into effective engagement with national and multistate organizations, policymakers, and other influential stakeholders. You will build the relationships, partnerships, and external support needed to advance policies that enable fusion energy and manufacturing across the United States. You will report to the Senior Director of State & Local Affairs and work closely with policy, communications, technical, and project development teams. This role can be based in Everett, Washington; Washington, D.C.; or remotely within the United States and will require regular travel to stakeholder meetings, conferences, and priority states as Helion expands. You Will: - Build and manage relationships with national and multi-state organizations, industry associations, and advocacy groups - Develop and maintain a stakeholder map across priority states, identifying key influencers and engagement opportunities - Lead strategy and execution for conferences, convenings, and external public affairs and policy forums, including personally managing preparation, participation, and follow-up, to ensure high-impact participation - Coordinate closely with state and regional leads to align stakeholder engagement with project and policy priorities - Partner with internal teams to ensure engagement efforts reinforce Helion’s policy positions and strategic narrative - Represent Helion in meetings, working groups, and external forums, including engagements with senior government officials, national associations, and organizational leaders, to advance company priorities Required Skills: - 7+ years of experience in government affairs, public affairs, policy, or stakeholder engagement - Experience working across multiple states or at the national level with policy, regulatory, or political stakeholders - Proven ability to build and manage relationships with senior external stakeholders and credibly represent an organization in high-level external settings - Strong political judgment and ability to prioritize high-impact engagement opportunities - Excellent presentation, public-speaking, communication and coordination skills across cross-functional teams - Willingness to travel regularly, approximately 25%, to support stakeholder engagement and company priorities #LI-Onsite #LI-MM1 Benefits Our total compensation package includes benefits, including but not limited to: - Medical, Dental, and Vision plans for employees and their families - 31 Days of PTO (21 vacation days and 10 sick days) - 10 Paid holidays, plus company-wide winter break - Up to 5% employer 401(k) match - Short term disability, long term disability, and life insurance - Paid parental leave and support (up to 16 weeks) - Annual wellness stipend Helion is an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. If you need assistance or an accommodation during the interview process, please let us know.