Government Relations Program Specialist

Job Summary

The Specialist, Government Relations at GMF will work with the Senior Manager of Government Relations to design and execute a strategy to develop relationships with U.S.-based policymakers outside of Washington, DC, including Governors, State Legislators, and Mayors. The Specialist will also develop relationships on Capitol Hill with policymakers engaged in issues that GMF Cities works on, like housing, and issues the Alliance for Securing Democracy leads on, like elections. The Specialist will provide support to GMF Cities with Ukraine Whistlestops programming, GMF North with Across America programming, and ASD’s state-level elections outreach. Additionally, the Specialist will assist the Senior Manager in recruitment of Members of Congress and state/local level policymakers for briefings or events, study tours, parliamentary exchanges, Brussels Forum, and any other travel organized by GMF. The Specialist position reports directly to the Senior Manager of Government Relations.

Essential Duties/Responsibilities

• Working in collaboration with the Senior Manager of Government Relations, design a government affairs outreach plan for state and local lawmakers in the United States; with a priority for areas GMF has planned programming with Whistlestops for Ukraine, Across America, GMF Cities, ASD, or other programming;
• Build and maintain GMF’s relationships with national organizations that focus on state-level policymakers like the National Governor’s Association, National Conference of State Legislators, U.S. Conference of Mayors, National Association of Counties, etc. and facilitate opportunities to share GMF’s expertise with these audiences;
• Plan GMF’s engagements in conferences like NSCL and seek other opportunities to promote GMF’s work at convenings of state and local lawmakers
• Build and maintain relationships with GMF Cities experts for promoting their work on Capitol Hill
• Track legislation relevant to assigned GMF portfolio and provide regular updates to relevant GMF staff;
• Build and maintain relationships with Members of Congress and staff of Senate and House Committee and personal offices on assigned committees of jurisdiction;
• Seek opportunities for GMF experts to testify at hearings, provide written testimony, and share expertise with state lawmakers and Hill staff;
• As needed, assist in the organization and execution of GMF events designed to engage policymakers including but not limited to: Hill briefings, salon lunches or dinners, Hill receptions, study tours, parliamentary exchanges, GR participation in GMF Flagship events (Brussels Forum, Warsaw Security Forum, etc.);
• Provide content for regular reports highlighting the work of the Government Relations team including, but not limited to: This Week in Congress, board reports, monthly reports, and briefing reports for senior leadership;
• Complete other duties as assigned.
  
  

Knowledge And Skills Needed

• Minimum of five years relevant experience in the U.S. Congress, state legislature, or government affairs shop preferred;
• Strong written and oral communication skills;
• Excellent computer skills and familiarity with the MS Office suite;
• Familiarity with legislative tracking software and database management;
• Initiative and the ability to prioritize;
• Highly organized with superb attention to detail;
• Excellent interpersonal and relationship management skills, including tact, flexibility, adaptiveness and discretion;
• Self-starter and results-oriented individual who can multi-task and handle heavy workloads, often with tight deadlines, in a fast-paced, ever-changing environment;
• Ability to represent the German Marshall Fund to external constituencies, including Members of Congress, state and local lawmakers, and organizational partners;
• Ability to travel within the United States and Europe;
• Interest in U.S.-European issues is an asset.
  
  

Education

Qualified applicants should have a B.A.

Salary: $78,584 - $98,000

We highly encourage individuals from underrepresented backgrounds to apply. Historically, underrepresented groups include (but are not limited to) Black, Latinx/o/a/e, Indigenous, Asian, Arab, Middle Eastern, Pacific Islander, biracial, multiracial, female-identifying, the disability community, LGBTQIA+, and other marginalized identities.

Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At GMF we are dedicated to building a diverse and authentic workplace, so if you are excited about this role, but your experience does not align perfectly, we encourage you to apply. You may just be the right candidate for this or other roles at GMF.