Manager, Government Affairs

Summary of Position:  

The Manager, Government Affairs is responsible for growing RFF’s impact by managing a government affairs strategy to identify, cultivate, and steward RFF’s relationships; engage with policymakers and staff in the US Congress, within the Executive Office of the President, and key agencies and departments; and communicate to RFF audiences about policy developments as part of the communications team. The Manager will additionally inform RFF’s awareness of federal policy developments, including by proactively identifying opportunities for impact through RFF’s research strategy.  
 

Position Responsibilities:   

• Relationship building: Build and maintain effective relationships with the Hill (both parties and chambers, both staff and members), the Executive Office of the President, and key agencies and departments that are not potential funders, through regular contact, including personal visits and compelling written information that helps to deepen their awareness of RFF’s capabilities and interest in RFF’s expertise  
• Issue management: Track ongoing policy developments relevant to RFF’s areas of research, with an eye toward future opportunities for RFF impact (either new research or contributions to conversations)  
• Communications: Work closely with research staff and communications colleagues to draft memos, one-pagers, policy briefs, blog posts, and other print and digital materials that can be used as “leave-behinds” with key offices or used for broader education on various communications platforms. Communicate information about ongoing policy developments to the Research and Policy Engagement (RPE) team, including through the development of summary materials of new policy developments  
• Internal Coordination: Coordinate the operations and project management within an internal Government Affairs Working Group bringing together key staff across communications, development, and research to build strategic plans around key policy areas. Coordinate rapid-response RFF response to policy developments based on RFF’s areas of expertise. 
• Events: Serve as an internal liaison on identifying government contacts as speakers for RFF and external events and meetings, and prepare RFF staff, including leadership, by providing written talking points or background materials for policy-related speaking engagements  
• Coalition management: Build and maintain relationships with relevant coalitions, attending regular meetings and sharing information about coalition updates internally 
• Meeting preparation: Schedule and prepare appropriate RFF staff for regular meetings with appropriate government staff including managing the strategy for meetings, appropriate level of prep and documentation, and ensuring proper follow up  
• Data Management: Ensure that engagements between RFF staff and policymakers are tracked and documented as appropriate  
• Other duties as assigned  

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in public policy, political science, communications, journalism, public relations, business, or related field is required 
• Any equivalent combination of training, education, and experience that demonstrates the ability to perform the essential functions of the position
• 5+ years of related professional experience in government affairs, or equivalent combination of education and experience  
• Experience or deep interest in environmental, climate, or energy topic areas  
• Experience developing relationships and designing high-touch stewardship strategies for government engagement, ideally in a research or policy context  
• Experience managing and completing multiple projects with competing deadlines  
• Experience writing reports, summaries, and other research-related materials for print and digital platforms for targeted internal and external audiences  
• Technical Requirements:
  • Proficiency in the following software programs is necessary for this role:  
  • Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook  
  • Internal communications platforms like Teams, Zoom  
  • Digital management tools including Google Analytics  
  • Website and CMS management is preferred 
  • Government database such as Leadership Connect preferred 

Compensation and Benefits:  

• $86,000-$95,000 
• 35-hour work week  
• Flexible summer hours (4-day work week June-Sept)  
• Flexible work arrangement policy (hybrid work)  
• 11 paid holidays  
• 4 weeks PTO to start, increases to 5 weeks after 5 years, in addition to 15 paid sick days per year  
• State of the art fitness facility on site and free for all employees, with free classes
• Deli on site  
• Parking on site  
• RFF contributes up to 15% of your salary to a 403(b)-retirement account, depending on employee age in addition to a 401(a)  
• Commuter benefit plans (pre-tax metro and parking)  

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, some standing, walking, sitting, bending, and carrying of light items such as books and papers is required.
 

Working Conditions

The work may involve everyday light risks and discomforts, which may require normal safety precautions typical of such places as offices, meetings, and training rooms, etc. The work area is adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

This position description may not describe all duties, responsibilities and skills associated with this position. It is intended to portray the major aspects of the job and is not meant to be all inclusive. Other duties or skills may be required.
 

Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

RFF (Resources for the Future) is committed to the letter and spirit of diversity, equity, and inclusion. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or national and ethnic origin in hiring and employment, nor in the administration or other programs.  RFF’s Vision for a Diverse, Equitable, and Inclusive Future. 

RFF has made the safety of our staff and community a top priority. As a part of that commitment, all staff and visitors are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, as defined by the CDC. RFF will require all staff and visitors to submit proof of complete vaccination against COVID-19 to work in our office.   

Visit our FAQ page to find out what it’s like to work at a world-class, policy-oriented research organization in the heart of Washington, DC.