Associate, Government Relations (COF)

Council on Foundations; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The Council on Foundations in Washington, DC seeks an Associate, Government Relations to support the Government Affairs team in building relationships with key Congressional lawmakers and to help Council members be more effective in public policy and advocacy. The role includes supporting staff operations and managing digital congressional management programs.

Key duties include coordinating with senior staff, tracking legislation, preparing weekly briefs and targeted communications, and

Qualifications

• Two-three years of substantive experience in government relations or public policy.
• Online advocacy programs experience preferred, demonstrated ability to learn.
• Familiarity with Congressional staff interactions and law-making processes.

Responsibilities

• Provide staff support to the Director, Government Relations and the VP, Government Affairs and Strategic Communications.
• Serve as key staff contact linking Council members with Members of Congress.
• Track policy-related news and disseminate information to the Government Relations team.

Skills

Government relations

Policy analysis

Communication skills

Stakeholder engagement

Job description

The Associate, Government Relations will support the Government Affairs team in its effort to build relationships with key Congressional lawmakers to further policy that supports the philanthropic sector and will work with Council members to help them to be more effective in public policy and advocacy. Major responsibilities include: supporting the work of the entire staff team and management of the Council’s digital congressional management programs.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Servesaskey staff support to the Director, Government Relations and the Vice President, Government Affairs and Strategic Communications.
• Serves as the key staff contact to connect Council members with Members of Congress and vice versa.
• Tracks policy-related news, publications, & other commentary from a variety of sources and disseminate information to the Government Relations and Communications team members identifying impact on the charitable sector
• Assists the Director of Government Affairs in monitoring legislation and congressional actions of legislation of interest to the Council and its members.
• Participates in planning and logistics for department and organizational events designed to increase the advocacy skills of Council members and their knowledge of important public policies.
• Assists in research and develops materials for Council projects and communications, including weekly briefs to Council members, regular communication to targeted congressional staff, Council member story boards and story-telling database, and any other communiques deemed beneficial.
• Maintains departmental data bases, congressional management tools, and other digital tools that assist the Government Affairs team.
• May act as Government Affairs liaison to other Council cross-departmental activities and projects.
• Provides general support, including administrative and logistical, as necessary.
• Over time, this role will represent the Government Affairs team in philanthropic coalitions and direct congressional relations management
• Exercises discretion and good judgment in the responsibilities associated with managing job function; works cooperatively, respectfully, and collaboratively with other employees; functions as a team player; and participates actively with his/her supervisor in improving job performance.

Qualifications:

• Two-three years of substantive experience in government relations or public policy work.
• Online advocacy programs experience preferred, demonstrated ability to learn acceptable.
• Familiarity with how to interact with Congressional staff and law-making processes.
• Familiarity with the Tax Code and Treasury Regulations processes preferred.
• Broad understanding of the charitable sector is preferred.
• Strong oral and written communication skills required.
• Ability to organize assigned tasks and execute them with excellent customer service.
• Experience networking across sectors preferred.