Government Affairs Manager (Job ID: 2024-3493)

Overview

Join one of the most influential, most quoted, and most trusted think tanks!

The Brookings Institution is a nonprofit public policy organization based in Washington, DC. Our mission is to conduct in-depth research that leads to new ideas for solving problems facing society at the local, national, and global levels.

We bring together leading experts in government and academia from all over the world, rooted in open-minded inquiry and representing diverse points of view. These experts provide the highest quality research, policy recommendations, and analysis. Research topics cover a full range of public policy issues in economics, foreign policy, development, governance, and metropolitan policy.

With fair and transparent business practices, clear communication, mutual respect, and a collaborative atmosphere that offers both professional and personal development opportunities, Brookings offers an inclusive and welcoming workplace that values the efforts of all contributors.

The mission of the Office of Communications is to provide the tools, strategies, products, and programs to support the brand and its content. Our goal is to continually grow Brookings’ impact and effectiveness as a change agent for public policy in the United States and around the world. This purpose is realized if we help our scholars raise awareness, set the agenda, and shape the debate around the public policy issues they choose to address.

Position Location:
This position is hybrid. Hybrid positions combine regular in-person presence at our Washington, DC office with the option of at least two days of remote work each week.

Please note: This position is included in the staff bargaining unit, Brookings United, affiliated with the IFPTE Local 70 union, and is covered under the terms of the collective bargaining agreement.

Responsibilities

Ready to contribute to Brookings’ success?

The Government Affairs Manager (Manager) plays a pivotal role in facilitating the institution’s engagement with government bodies (including departments and agencies) and policymakers at all levels. Reporting to the Senior Director of Communications and Public Affairs, the Manager’s responsibilities include coordinating and executing comprehensive strategies to foster productive relationships between Brookings scholars and government bodies, as well as monitoring legislative and regulatory developments relevant to Brookings’ mission and research areas.

Communications/Congressional Outreach Strategies for Brookings Community (50%)

• Develop and implement short- and long-term plans to track and effectively promote our scholars’ work to policymakers, government agencies, and their staffs through written materials, briefings, presentations, and public speaking engagements.
• Utilize professional knowledge of the public policy process and established contacts to analyze potential opportunities and intersections of proposed legislative and regulatory activity with the work of Brookings scholars.
• Identify and develop relationships with key contacts in the Washington, D.C. public policy community, including the White House, U.S. Congress, Executive Branch Agencies, think tanks, trade associations, and relevant stakeholders on matters affecting Brookings’ mission.
• Monitor, track, and promote the scheduling of testimony by Brookings scholars in Congress, before federal agencies, and at foreign, state, and local government entities.
• Collaborate with internal, cross-functional teams to conduct the work listed above.

Communications/Internal Support Strategies (50%)

• Pursue opportunities for Brookings scholars to provide thought leadership on relevant issues in Economics, Foreign Policy, Governance, Global Development, and Metropolitan Policy.
• Support and advise scholars, staff, and leadership in their engagements with public officials.
• Help prepare subject matter experts to brief members of Congress, deliver testimony to government committees and commissions, and provide educational briefings to congressional staffers.
• Create and establish a list of contacts for policymakers and government staffers for internal use.
• Manage invitation coordination for high-profile speakers at Brookings events.

Qualifications

Ready to make an impact? In this role, you will support Brookings’ values of collegiality, respect, inclusion, diversity, and community, and bring the following qualifications:

Education/Experience Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in political science, international affairs, public policy, law, or related fields.
• Minimum of five years of related work experience in government affairs, public policy, or related fields, with a focus on engaging with government bodies and officials.
• Strong understanding of the legislative and regulatory processes at the federal level; local, state, and/or international experience is a plus.
• Proven track record in developing and executing strategic plans to engage policymakers.
• Experience providing guidance and support to scholars, staff, and leadership in their interactions with public officials.
• Must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. Brookings policy prohibits lobbying in the course of Brookings activities, and this position will not be expected or permitted to engage in lobbying activities.

Knowledge/Skill Requirements

• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to distill complex policy issues into clear and compelling messages.
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders in the government and policy community.
• Analytical skills to assess the potential impact of legislative and regulatory developments on Brookings’ mission and research areas.
• Collaborative mindset with experience working across teams to achieve common objectives.
• Familiarity with diverse policy areas, such as economics, foreign policy, governance, global development, and metropolitan policy.
• Strong commitment to the values of nonpartisanship, scholar independence, civil debate, and inclusive policymaking.

Additional Information

What can we offer you? Brookings provides a generous benefits package that is comprehensive and includes both traditional benefits and unique offerings. Our benefits package includes medical, dental, and vision benefits, generous time off, and workplace flexibility. For more information, please visit the Brookings Benefits.

Brookings requires that all applicants submit a cover letter and resume. Please attach your cover letter and resume as one document when you apply. If you have applied to more than one Brookings job opening, please add a position-specific cover letter as a separate attachment.

Successful completion of a background investigation is required for employment at Brookings.

Brookings welcomes and celebrates diversity in all its forms. We welcome applications that reflect a variety of backgrounds based on ideology, race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, veteran status, first-generation college-goers, and other factors protected by law. Brookings is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive workplace.

Learn more here