Manager – Government Affairs

Jobtailor; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Cato Institute in Washington, DC, seeks a policy-focused professional to build relationships with policymakers in Congress and the executive branch. The role involves sourcing opportunities for scholars to testify, submit statements for the record, and engage with the policy process to maximize impact.

The successful candidate will track dynamics in Congress and the executive branch, develop engagement strategies, and coordinate with federal affairs staff to advance Cato’s mission with integrity

Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree in political science, economics, or a related field.
• Three to six years of issue-management experience in Congress or the executive branch, or similar think tank/association or for-profit sector experience.
• Demonstrated experience with policy analysis and communicating policy positions to external audiences.
• Demonstrated appreciation for Cato’s mission and principles.
• Comprehensive understanding of congressional rules, procedures, and operations.

Responsibilities

• Build and maintain relationships with policymakers in Congress and the executive branch.
• Identify, create, and assist with opportunities for Cato scholars to provide congressional testimony, statements for the record, and other opportunities for Cato scholars
• Track and advise Cato scholars and staff on ongoing and emerging dynamics in Congress and the executive branch to ensure Cato’s maximum impact on the policy debate
• Devise, recommend, and execute engagement strategies for the issue portfolio with the goal of positively influencing the policy debate
• Oversee distribution of Cato scholarship to an audience in Congress and the executive branch
• Work with existing federal affairs staff to ensure Cato-wide coordination of the Institute’s efforts
• Exercise exceptional judgment to ensure the protection and enhancement of Cato’s reputation for excellence, integrity, and dedication to principle

Skills

Policy Analysis

Engagement Strategies

Congressional Rules

Issue-Management Experience

Communication of Policy Positions

Education

Bachelor’s degree in political science, economics, or related field

Job description

• Build and maintain relationships with policymakers in Congress and the executive branch


• Identify, create, and assist with opportunities for Cato scholars to provide congressional testimony, statements for the record, and other high-impact opportunities for Cato scholars


• Track and advise Cato scholars and staff on ongoing and emerging dynamics in Congress and the executive branch to ensure Cato’s maximum impact on the policy debate


• Devise, recommend, and execute engagement strategies for the issue portfolio with the goal of positively influencing the policy debate


• Oversee distribution of Cato scholarship to an audience in Congress and the executive branch


• Work with existing federal affairs staff to ensure Cato-wide coordination of the Institute’s efforts


• Exercise exceptional judgment to ensure the protection and enhancement of Cato’s reputation for excellence, integrity, and dedication to principle

Requirements

• A bachelor’s degree in political science, economics, or a related field


• Three to six years of issue-management experience in Congress or the executive branch, or similar experience with a think tank, association, or in the for-profit sector


• Demonstrated experience with policy analysis and communicating policy positions to external audiences


• A demonstrated appreciation for Cato’s mission and principles


• Comprehensive understanding of congressional rules, procedures, and operations

Core Competencies

Demonstrates expertise in policy analysis and engagement strategies to influence congressional and executive branch dynamics. Possesses strong relationship-building skills with policymakers and a comprehensive understanding of congressional operations.

Highest-signal resume keywords

• Policy Analysis


• Engagement Strategies


• Congressional Rules


• Issue-Management Experience


• Communication of Policy Positions

ATS Optimization Keywords

Hard Skills

• Policy Analysis


• Issue-Management


• Congressional Procedures


• Testimony PreparationStrategic Communication
  

Soft Skills

• Relationship Building


• Judgment


• Collaboration


• Integrity


• Dedication to Principle

Industry Keywords

• Political Science


• Economics


• Think Tank Experience


• Federal Affairs


• Policy Debate