Climate Government Affairs Manager

Organization: The Niskanen Center
Location: Washington, DC
Date Posted: 07/14/2025

Experience

4–7 years of experience navigating federal government processes and structures, working with the federal legislative branch, or equivalent experience on a government affairs team

Salary

$100,000–130,000; plus a generous benefits package

Reports to

Director of Climate and Energy and Government Affairs Director

The Niskanen Center

Named “the most interesting think tank in American politics” by Time magazine in March 2023, the Niskanen Center promotes policies that advance prosperity, opportunity, and human flourishing, guided by the belief that a free market and an effective government are mutually dependent.

We are forging a new vision of American governance that draws on ideas from across the ideological spectrum, an approach made possible by our independence from rigid political coalitions. Our ideological openness gives us credibility to work with a broad range of actors, meeting them on their own terms and helping them converge on policies they might support for different reasons.

The Position

The Niskanen Center seeks a government affairs professional to lead outreach for our growing team. The Climate and Energy team produces original policy research and advocacy to reduce the cost of deploying clean energy, promote market-based policies that drive decarbonization, and build coalitions to support the transition to a low-carbon economy. To advance our vision, the team crafts and supports bipartisan, pragmatic reforms across both the legislative and executive branches.

To support this work, the government affairs manager collaborates with our policy and communication staff to advance and promote the team’s research and policy proposals with Congress, the Administration and Executive Branch Agencies, key stakeholders, and coalitional allies. Applicants should have experience working across ideological lines and enthusiasm for advancing an economy that fosters innovation, supports growth, maintains energy resilience, and addresses climate challenges through pragmatic, market-driven solutions. The position reports to the Director of Climate and Energy and to the Director of Government Affairs as a member of the Government Affairs Team. This position does not require prior lobbying registration, but it may involve registering in the future.

Key Responsibilities

Policy Support

Design and lead a government affairs strategy to advance the Climate and Energy goals of the Niskanen Center
Monitor and analyze federal and state legislative proposals, administrative policies, and regulatory changes to ascertain any impact on Niskanen climate and energy priorities
Identify areas of interest for policy development that align with Niskanen climate and energy priorities

Communications

Produce explainers and memos for Congressional staff use based on reports and commentaries from the team’s policy experts
Share research findings with legislative staffers, advocacy organizations, and journalists
Draft briefing and educational materials, testimony, statements, questions for the record, speeches, and talking points

Outreach and Engagement

In collaboration with the Niskanen Government Affairs Team, develop, implement, and track strategies to advance Niskanen climate and energy strategic priorities with Congress, the Administration and Executive Branch Agencies, and key stakeholders. This will include activities ranging from direct engagement with policymakers to coalition building and management
Maintain and grow relationships, partnerships, and coalitions, with policy and advocacy organizations, policy experts, and other partners and stakeholders
Represent Niskanen in coalitions, community events, and public forums

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree
4–7 years of experience navigating federal government processes and structures, working with the federal legislative branch, or equivalent experience on a government affairs team
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Ability to respond to multiple demands in a complex, fast-paced, and rapidly changing policy environment
Experience translating complex issues into key takeaways for diverse audiences
High degree of integrity, ability to build trust, communicate effectively, and collaborate with others
Ability to understand team needs and proactively offer solutions

Benefits and Diversity Commitment

Unlimited paid time off; office is closed on all federal holidays plus the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day; paid parental leave; 100% health, dental, and vision insurance for the employee; 403(b) plan with 4% organization contribution, no vesting period; commuter benefits for D.C.-based employees.

The Niskanen Center is an equal-opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without discrimination of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status. We also seek to expand our professional networks and workplace composition to better reflect our dedication to diversity, equity and inclusion.