Federal Legislative Affairs Manager | Policy & Coalitions

Common Cause PA; Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 84,872 - 100,786; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Paid time off

Parental leave

401k with employer match

Flexible spending accounts

Job summary

Common Cause seeks a Manager, Legislative Affairs to lead federal advocacy across four policy pillars and support day-to-day lobbying work in Washington, DC. The role blends tracking, research, and coalition collaboration, with an emphasis on building relationships with lawmakers and senior staff.

The position requires in-office presence in DC two days per week, with up to five days during peak sessions, and starts in October.

Qualifications

• A strong commitment to Common Cause’s nonpartisan mission and to advancing civil rights through our pro-democracy agenda
• A commitment to equity in the goals of your work and in how you work with others
• Openness to feedback and awareness of your own strengths and areas for growth
• Demonstrated knowledge of the national political dynamic
• Experience working on public advocacy campaigns related to democracy, elections, voting rights and civil rights
• Knowledge of current democracy issues, including voting rights, redistricting, campaign finance reform
• Ability to work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders
• Ability to navigate organizational dynamics respectfully, navigate conflict while upholding values
• Ability to manage multiple priorities with strong attention to detail
• Ability to communicate clearly, including with media, and to be an external spokesperson if needed
• Microsoft Office and Zoom proficiency
• Ability to travel and work in-person up to four times per year; in-person DC presence 2 days/week, up to five during peak session

Responsibilities

• Maintain a comprehensive tracker of federal legislation, hearings, oversight actions, and committee activity across the four policy pillars
• Research and analyze bills, including legislative history, sponsor positions, partner alignment, and procedural pathways
• Prepare regular legislative updates for leadership and state teams
• Coordinate scheduling, prep, and follow-up for Hill meetings led by senior staff
• Attend Hill meetings, take notes, and manage follow-through on commitments
• Maintain relationship records on member offices, staff contacts, and prior engagements
• Support implementation of the three-phase plan: Foundation & Insertion, Pre-Midterm Narrative & Positioning, Post-Election Readiness
• Serve as federal legislative point of contact for the 23 state teams; coordinate federal updates to state teams
• Synthesize state-level political intelligence into federal strategy inputs
• Coordinate with campaigns, external affairs, and state teams on federal legislative campaigns
• Develop federal advocacy materials for funders and external partners
• Manage coalition participation and sign-on processes; track partner positions
• Review and approve coalition sign-on requests; maintain relationships with coalition staff
• Draft policy memos, talking points, briefings, hearing prep, questions for the record, and comment submissions
• Prepare bill summaries and alignment analyses against endorsement checklists
• Develop briefing materials for Hill engagements
• Maintain endorsement decisions and rationales

Job description

Common Cause seeks a Manager, Legislative Affairs to lead federal advocacy across four policy pillars and support day-to-day lobbying work in Washington, DC. The role blends tracking, research, and coalition collaboration, with an emphasis on building relationships with lawmakers and senior staff.

The position requires in-office presence in DC two days per week, with up to five days during peak sessions, and starts in October.