Advocacy Manager

About the Job

If you have the passion to make a difference and work for a mission you believe in, the Maryland Municipal League is where your job search ends! Working with a professional association team to deliver leadership training, membership customer service, and event management, this position is designed to be a first touch point to the League and its members. Serving 160 local governments and providing a collective voice, MML’s work impacts over 2 million Marylanders.

Nature of Work

This role serves on the Advocacy and Public Affairs teams and works closely with our Public Policy and Research team. This individual will be responsible for supporting the development and implementation of the League’s strategic plan under the advocacy and public policy programs and supporting communications efforts. The manager will represent the League’s 160 local governments before the Maryland General Assembly and the Administration with a focused portfolio on energy, climate, and environmental issues, with the opportunity to expand the portfolio as well.

The ideal candidate has MGA experience, is detail-oriented, organized, polished; understands and delivers on storytelling; and can articulate the role of municipal government and legislative impacts. A sense of humor and a desire to make a difference are required! You will be working directly with municipal and state elected officials and influencing legislation affecting Maryland’s 160 cities, towns, and villages. More importantly, you will help create and share the story of our communities.

Examples of Responsibilities

• Develop weekly bill presentations to MML’s Legislative Committee in your issue portfolio area.
• Compile various reports in concert with the Executive, Advocacy, and Research teams.
• Utilize both the Advokit software and the Maryland General Assembly (MGA) website to monitor hearing schedules and legislation with municipal impact.
• Work independently to prepare and present testimony before the MGA, including research, bill strategy, drafting testimony, panelist signup, and coalition and legislator meetings as needed in accordance with the MML Advocacy Playbook.
• Build relationships with municipal officials to ascertain and address various municipal issues.
• Establish and maintain relationships with MGA legislators, staff, and the Administration.
• Monitor interim commissions, workgroups, and task forces as assigned in the issue area.
• Produce content for MML’s social media and membership publications.
• Assist with planning and executing MML advocacy events, including MML’s Annual Opening Day Legislative Reception, Advocacy Day, State of the Municipality, Summer Symposium, and informational webinars.
• Collaborate with all staff to support the annual Summer and Fall Conferences.

Desired Qualifications

• Familiarity with Maryland’s state and local municipal government structure.
• Familiarity with the state legislative and executive branch organization, procedures, and processes.
• A Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience.
• At least 3-5 years of professional experience, specific to legislative, policy, or municipal government.
• Proficiency with Microsoft 365, including SharePoint, OneDrive, and Microsoft Teams.
• Experience with social media, including Instagram, Twitter/X, LinkedIn, and Facebook. Bonus points for Canva experience.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, with an ability to interact professionally at all levels.
• Ability to multitask effectively and prioritize tasks to meet deadlines across multiple departments.
• Ability to work long hours, including evenings and weekends, as needed.
• Outstanding problem-solving skills and ability to work independently.
• Relevant professional experience with the Maryland General Assembly, particularly the House Environment & Transportation, Senate Education, Energy, and the Environment Committee(s), strongly preferred.

About MML

The Maryland Municipal League (MML) is a professional association with nearly 90 years of history representing the voice of Maryland’s 160 cities, towns, and special taxing districts. MML empowers local government and its leaders to advocate on behalf of almost 2 million Marylanders who call a municipality home.

At MML, we are committed to an organizational culture that values diversity and promotes belonging for our members and our staff alike. Our leadership believes in building inclusive communities and improving outcomes for all Marylanders. Equity remains a guiding principle for our work and will be used as a lens throughout all of our components.

A Glimpse Inside

• Hybrid schedule
• Downtown location, in the heart of state government with some amazing views
• 100% employer-paid health insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, and both short-term and long-term insurance
• Free wellness resources
• Optional FSA for healthcare
• Federal holiday schedule
• Retirement plan with matching once vested

Please send both a cover letter and resume directly to [email protected]; applications without a cover letter will not be considered.