Officer, Government Relations

Government Relations

Government Relations (GR) seeks to advance Pew’s nonpartisan policy and research goals at all levels of government, in the United States and internationally. We focus on sharing the organization’s research and fact-based recommendations, shaping pragmatic strategies to achieve program objectives, and building relationships with key government officials to forge compromise and consensus on issues that make a difference to the public.

Position Overview

The officer is an integral part of the GR team and will have the responsibility for collaborating with the senior director, GR and other colleagues to provide government relations strategic counsel and direct support with a focus on fiscal and economic policy. The officer will report to, and work closely with, the senior director, while serving in collaborative and active partnership with the program teams in Pew’s Government Performance portfolio.

The position, based in Pew’s Washington, D.C. office, will participate in Pew’s core in-office days on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and will have flexibility to work from home the remainder of each week.

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the country for which they are seeking employment without visa sponsorship.

Responsibilities

This role focuses on developing and implementing effective outreach strategies for bringing Pew’s work to the attention of federal and state policymakers, including administration and agency officials as well as members of Congress. In close coordination with program staff and colleagues across Pew, the officer will educate policymakers about Pew’s research and recommendations through meetings, ongoing engagement with influential stakeholders, conferences, electronic communications, and other activities. Key responsibilities include:

• Design and implement strategies to achieve public policy-focused project and campaign goals for projects within Pew’s government performance portfolio, particularly broadband and state fiscal projects.
• Maintain a broad knowledge and awareness of issues related to evidence-based policymaking, including broadband, fiscal, economic, and infrastructure policy.
• Inform and advise the project teams on relevant state, federal, and local policy developments.
• Research and identify policymakers and other influential stakeholders particularly relevant for the projects assigned, and develop and implement a nonpartisan, fact-based, and robust stakeholder outreach program.
• Work with program and communications staff to translate complex information into accessible written materials for distribution to government officials and other stakeholders at the national and state levels. Review and update materials for relevance to public policy debates.
• Collaborate with Pew communications and eAdvocacy teams to develop and manage messaging to help ensure that communication and outreach are well-designed components of the strategy and serve broader advocacy and institutional goals. This includes collaborating on talking points, briefing documents, op-eds, memos, and communications relevant to policymakers.
• Identify, schedule, and attend briefings for state or federal policymakers and other relevant stakeholders. Ensure alignment between federal, state, and local government relations objectives.
• Track and analyze legislation, regulations, other policy proposals, and hearings, announcements, and other government actions relevant to Pew and share summary information with program teams on a timely basis.
• Fully comply with, and serve as a liaison between program staff, Legal Affairs, and Government Relations compliance staff to ensure full compliance with relevant federal and state lobbying disclosure and ethics rules.
• Develop and maintain strong working relationships with key stakeholders (e.g., government officials, national organizations, NGOs, trade associations, coalition groups) to advance Pew’s agenda, including developing coalitions and identifying partners who can advance project goals with a focus on organizations representing state and local government officials.
• Work with and direct government affairs consultants in support of campaign activities as needed.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in public policy required.
• A minimum of eight years of professional experience working with policymakers and staff in government relations, government service, state or federal campaigns and/or policy advocacy.
• A working knowledge of evidence-based policymaking, broadband, state or federal fiscal, budget, economic and public pensions policy, and/or state or federal infrastructure policy preferred.
• Strong political and interpersonal skills. Excellent written and oral communications skills, including an ease in reaching out to state or federal policymakers and their staff, and in communicating complex concepts in a clear effective fashion.
• Recognized ability to meet multiple deadlines by maintaining a high level of organization and experience managing complex projects and issues.
• Ability to think strategically and creatively, adjust to changing circumstances, remain attentive to details and exercise sound judgment in problem-solving. Ability to develop and move complex projects forward with a high degree of independence.
• Experience convening groups of policy makers, practitioners, stakeholders, researchers and other constituencies. Demonstrated ability to build relationships and support efforts to develop consensus and move toward a desired outcome.
• Prior to commencing employment with Pew, candidates for this position who were registered to lobby in any jurisdiction must certify termination of previous registration(s) and provide copies of termination notices with said jurisdiction(s) to Pew.

Travel

Occasional travel to meetings and conferences anticipated.

Total Rewards

We offer a competitive salary and benefit program, including: comprehensive, affordable health care through medical, dental, and vision coverage; financial security with life and disability insurance; opportunities to save using health savings and flexible spending accounts; retirement benefits to help prepare for the future; and work/life benefits to maintain a good balance.

The Pew Charitable Trusts is an equal opportunity employer, committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. Pew considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to age, sex, ethnicity, religion, disability, marital status, sexual orientation or gender identity, military/veteran status, or any other basis prohibited by applicable law.

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