Senior Manager, Political Affairs Practice

REPORTS TO: Vice President, Member Success and Practice
SALARY RANGE: $72,164 – $162,369

About the Public Affairs Council

The Public Affairs Council is the leading organization for public affairs professionals worldwide. Launched in 1954 at the urging of President Dwight D. Eisenhower, we are both nonpartisan and nonpolitical. Our mission is to advance the field of public affairs and provide our 700-plus member companies and associations with the executive education and expertise they need to succeed while upholding the highest ethical standards.

Our Standards of Excellence

Every team member is expected to embody these seven standards:

• Act with Integrity – Do the right thing, always.
• Collaborate to Succeed – Leverage diverse perspectives for superior outcomes.
• Adopt a Bias for Action – Move quickly on opportunities with informed decisions.
• Embrace Accountability – Own your outcomes and take full responsibility for results.
• Pioneer Innovation and Forward-Thinking – Challenge conventional approaches.
• Pursue Knowledge and Utilize New Insights – Commit to continuous learning and application.
• Champion Nonpartisanship Across All Perspectives – Value diverse viewpoints objectively.

Position Overview

The Senior Manager, Political Affairs Practice leads the Council’s programming and thought leadership related to corporate political engagement, PAC management, and political transparency. This role helps member organizations navigate the evolving intersection of business, politics, and trust — advancing responsible, ethical, and effective political participation.

Reporting to the Vice President, Member Success & Practice, the Senior Manager designs and delivers programs, benchmarking, and resources that promote bipartisan engagement, strengthen corporate accountability, and elevate professional standards in political affairs.

Key Responsibilities

Program Development & Member Learning

• Develop and deliver programs, workshops, and events focused on PAC management, political activity, and corporate engagement.
• Contribute subject matter expertise to the Council’s PAC and Grassroots Certificate Program, ensuring content remains timely, balanced, and relevant.
• Design and manage benchmarking surveys and case studies that capture trends in political activity, PAC management, and governance.
• Integrate diverse political perspectives and bipartisan approaches into all programming.
• Collaborate across Council practices to ensure cohesive programming and a unified member experience.
• Partner with the Event Experience and Marketing teams to integrate political affairs content and thought leadership into major conferences and events.

Thought Leadership & Policy Insight

• Lead development of content and resources highlighting trends in corporate political engagement, campaign finance, and disclosure.
• Advance best practices in bipartisan relationship-building, corporate political engagement, and trust-based political activity.
• Provide analysis and commentary on the political environment, emphasizing cross-party engagement and ethical participation.
• Partner with Communications and Marketing teams to translate insights into accessible publications, member briefings, and digital content.
• Contribute to Council-wide initiatives that promote public trust in business-political relationships.

Member Engagement & Peer Networks

• Cultivate and maintain relationships with PAC, political affairs, and corporate responsibility professionals across industries.
• Facilitate peer networks and roundtables that connect professionals managing PACs and political programs across sectors.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to members on ethical, compliance, and reputation considerations related to political engagement.
• Collaborate with colleagues across practices to ensure alignment and consistency in member experience.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in political science, communications, public policy, or related field.
• 7+ years of experience in corporate political affairs, campaign finance, or PAC management.
• Strong understanding of compliance, disclosure, and ethical standards for corporate political participation.
• Proven experience in professional education, benchmarking, or public affairs program design.
• Exceptional writing, speaking, and facilitation skillsFamiliarity with public policy, government affairs, or corporate communications environments.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree or equivalent advanced education in political management, law, or public affairs.
• Association or nonprofit experience within a member-driven or professional education environment.
• Experience in survey development, benchmarking, or corporate transparency initiatives.

Core Competencies

• Subject Matter Expertise: Recognized authority in political affairs and advocacy with ability to provide cutting-edge guidance on emerging practices.
• Political Relationship Building: Deep understanding of bipartisan engagement, coalition management, and corporate political responsibility.
• Program Leadership: Skilled at developing and facilitating educational programs and resources that elevate professional standards.
• Strategic Insight: Ability to interpret election, policy, and governance trends and translate them into actionable member insights.
• Communication Excellence: Exceptional ability to convey complex topics with clarity, accuracy, and neutrality.
• Collaboration: Works seamlessly across Council practices and departments to create cohesive, high-value programming.

Position Attributes

• Ethical & Nonpartisan: Upholds fairness, transparency, and objectivity in all communications and relationships.
• Strategic Collaborator: Builds connections across disciplines to integrate political engagement with advocacy and government relations.
• Analytical & Insightful: Uses data, member feedback, and benchmarking to inform continuous improvement.
• Member-Oriented: Focused on helping members strengthen organizational credibility and trust.
• Innovative & Forward-Thinking: Anticipates emerging challenges in political engagement and creates proactive solutions.
• Engaged Thought Partner: Represents the Council’s commitment to nonpartisan excellence in every interaction.

Location & Work Arrangement

Headquarters: Washington, D.C. (with European office in Brussels).
Work Model: Hybrid arrangement with regular in-person presence expected for optimal team collaboration.
Travel: Occasional travel for conferences and events.

Benefits

The Public Affairs Council offers a competitive benefits package that includes paid time off (PTO), medical insurance, life insurance, retirement benefits, and time off for federal holidays.

How to Apply Please send a resume and cover letter to [email protected] with the subject line: Senior Manager, Political Affairs Practice

The Public Affairs Council is an equal opportunity employer. Employment at the Public Affairs Council is based solely on a person’s merit and qualifications directly related to professional competence. The Public Affairs Council does not discriminate against any employee or applicant because of race, creed, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, military status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.