State Government Affairs Manager

Who we are

The problem: Every minute matters in fire response. As climate change amplifies the intensity of wildfires—with longer fire seasons, dryer fuels, and faster winds—new ignitions spread faster and put more communities at risk. Today, most wildfires are detected by bystanders and reported via 911, meaning it can take hours to detect a fire, verify its exact location and size, and dispatch first responders. Fire authorities need a faster way to detect, confirm, and pinpoint fires so that they can quickly respond—preventing small flare-ups from becoming devastating infernos.

About Pano: Pano is a venture-backed early-stage climate tech startup that is the leader in wildfire early detection, leveraging the latest advancements in IoT, AI, satellites, and SaaS software to deliver actionable intelligence to customers. Pano leverages mountaintop cameras and satellites to detect the first traces of smoke and put real-time fire images in the hands of asset owners and first responders to speed up containment. Pano is already partnering with major utilities, fire authorities, and government agencies in the USA and Australia. Recent media coverage includes being named one of the Top 10 most innovative companies in AI of 2023 by FastCompany and recipient of the Innovative Mobile Service and Application Award at Mobile World Congress through our partnership with T-Mobile.

Pano brings together a diverse team bridging frontline, wildland firefighting experience with best-in-class know-how in operations, logistics, artificial intelligence, and software. Our team is composed of experienced technology professionals from companies such as Apple, Cisco, Nest, DoorDash and Meta. Headquartered in San Francisco with an office and factory in the Mission District, our hybrid team works from locations around the world. Founded in mid-2020, we’ve raised over $40M from leading VC funds.

The Role

We’re looking for a seasoned, aggressive, well-organized campaigns manager to develop stakeholder engagement programs and build and execute cross-functional state-based public policy campaigns. You will manage lobbyists and other state-based consultants, develop and hold relationships with elected officials, other government officials and staff, and key stakeholders and partners, build and manage coalitions, and more. You will be passionate about harnessing the world’s most innovative technologies for good and bringing the best technology to bear in combatting the wildfire crisis. Your main goal will be to enact public policy and secure government funding to spur the deployment of high-tech fire detection tools.

What you’ll do

• Design and implement state-based public policy campaigns, aimed at securing government funding and enacting supportive legislation for advanced fire detection technologies.
• Cultivate and maintain relationships with elected officials, government staff, the firefighting community, and key stakeholders in priority regions to build support for wildfire technology initiatives.
• Establish, manage, and lead coalitions and alliances with firefighting partners, other industry partners, nonprofit organizations, government agencies, and non-profit groups.
• Oversee a team of lobbyists, state-based consultants, and other external partners, ensuring strategic alignment and impact.
• Advocate for policies that facilitate the adoption of high-tech fire detection tools, pursuing funding opportunities at the state and federal levels to support these initiatives.
• Analyze wildfire policy trends and generate reports, white papers, and public testimony to influence key decision-makers and stakeholders.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with internal teams to align campaign efforts with overall business goals, ensuring consistent messaging and brand alignment.

What you’ll bring

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent
• 5 - 10 years experience in public policy, campaigns, or government relations, with a focus on public safety, wildfire, lands and conservation, and technology preferred
• Significant experience in designing and implementing advocacy stakeholder management systems; a proven ability to build, manage, and mobilize coalitions and engage with diverse stakeholder groups.
• Strong project management skills, capable of juggling multiple state campaigns, teams, and priorities.
• Strong organizational skills, capable of organizing stakeholder and lobbying information in easy-to-understand and accessible formats.
• Deep commitment to leveraging advanced technologies for public good, particularly in addressing environmental challenges such as wildfires.