Job Classification:

Marketing & Communications - Communications

The Vice President, State Government Affairs – New Jersey position has primary accountability for legislative and executive branch engagement in New Jersey. Based in Trenton, this role serves as Prudential’s principal representative before New Jersey policymakers and senior administration officials and advances the company’s public policy priorities through direct advocacy, strategic coalition engagement, and close coordination with internal business and functional partners. The role is recognized as an expert in state public policy and political engagement and is accountable for the day-to-day execution and results of the New Jersey government affairs function. 

This position operates as a strategic enterprise advocate, translating business and operational objectives into actionable state engagement plans across insurance, retirement, financial services, workforce, technology, and economic policy issues that affect Prudential, its customers, and its employees in New Jersey. The role identifies, anticipates, and helps solve complex, cross-functional policy and reputational challenges, influences senior stakeholders in difficult situations, and leads coordinated execution across internal partners and external allies. 

What you’ll do:

State Legislative Strategy & Engagement 

• Lead Prudential’s engagement with the New Jersey Legislature, including legislative leadership, committee chairs, and key staff. 
• Develop and execute state legislative strategies that advance Prudential’s enterprise priorities, including proactive agenda setting, bill advocacy, and risk mitigation; prioritize work across competing demands to maximize outcomes and ensure disciplined follow through. 
• Track, analyze, and communicate legislative developments with clear assessments of business, operational, and reputational impact. 
• Lead multidisciplinary teams to coordinate legislative advocacy across internal stakeholders (business, Legal, Compliance, Communications, and other corporate functions) to ensure consistent messaging, timely decisioning, and effective execution. 

Executive Branch & Administration Engagement 

• Serve as Prudential’s senior point of contact with the Governor’s Office and several Executive Branch agencies. 
• Advocate the company’s positions on executive initiatives, policy proposals, and budgetary matters affecting Prudential’s businesses and operations. 
• Engage in policy development discussions and administrative processes in partnership with internal legal, regulatory, and business teams. 

Strategic Policy Leadership (Government Affairs Alignment) 

• Manage Prudential’s New Jersey state policy portfolio, ensuring alignment with enterprise strategy and Government Affairs priorities. 
• Identify emerging political, policy, and regulatory trends and proactively develop engagement strategies to address risks and opportunities. 
• Represent Prudential in state-based trade associations, business coalitions, and multistakeholder forums to advance aligned policy outcomes. 

External Advocacy & Resource Management 

• Strategically manage external contract lobbyists and consultants supporting Prudential’s New Jersey advocacy efforts, including setting workplans, shaping priorities, and holding partners accountable for performance and results. 
• Coordinate with trade associations and allied organizations to amplify Prudential’s policy positions. 
• Support political engagement activities, including coordination with Prudential’s political action committee, in compliance with applicable law and company policy. 

What you’ll need:

• 10+ years of relevant experience in government affairs and/or related roles.
• Deep knowledge of the legislative and state regulatory processes.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, able to build rapport, credibility, and maintain a broad network of contacts.
• Executive presence with the ability to engage business partners, senior executives, and top public policy figures.
• A strong commitment to teamwork and a demonstrated capacity to collaborate across teams, departments, and industry boundaries.
• Strategic thinker and planner, creative problem solver, capable of developing and executing plans and proposals.
• Superior leadership skills, driving initiatives among internal and external stakeholders.
• Proven record of advancing agendas that achieve successful policy results aligned with business and corporate goals.
• Solid organizational skills, adept at managing multiple projects with overlapping deadlines.
• Highly self-motivated, with sound judgment, trustworthiness, initiative, and the ability to handle several urgent issues simultaneously.

What we offer you:

Prudential is required by state specific laws to include the salary range for this role when hiring a resident in applicable locations. The salary range for this role is from $192,900.00 to $289,300.00. Specific pricing for the role may vary within the above range based on many factors including geographic location, candidate experience, and skills.

• Market competitive base salaries, with a yearly bonus potential at every level. 

• Medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability insurance, Paid Time Off (PTO), and leave of absences, such as parental and military leave. 

• 401(k) plan with company match (up to 4%). 

• Company-funded pension plan. 

• Wellness Programs including up to $1,600 a year for reimbursement of items purchased to support personal wellbeing needs. 

• Work/Life Resources to help support topics such as parenting, housing, senior care, finances, pets, legal matters, education, emotional and mental health, and career development.  

• Education Benefit to help finance traditional college enrollment toward obtaining an approved degree and many accredited certificate programs.  

• Employee Stock Purchase Plan: Shares can be purchased at 85% of the lower of two prices (Beginning or End of the purchase period), after one year of service. 

Eligibility to participate in a discretionary annual incentive program is subject to the rules governing the program, whereby an award, if any, depends on various factors including, without limitation, individual and organizational performance. To find out more about our Total Rewards package, visit Work Life Balance | Prudential Careers. Some of the above benefits may not apply to part-time employees scheduled to work less than 20 hours per week.