Public Policy Manager

ITIF; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 75,000 - 115,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

health and retirement benefits package

generous paid vacation

annual performance-based bonus

public transportation benefit

Job summary

The Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF), the world’s leading think tank for science and technology policy, is seeking a Public Policy Manager to help bring ITIF’s research and policy ideas directly to policymakers in Washington, DC. This is a highly hands‑on role for someone who enjoys working directly with people and turning research into policy impact.

The Public Policy Manager will spend substantial time meeting with members of Congress and congressional staff, executive

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in a related field.
• At least five years of professional experience in government, politics, public policy, or nonprofit organizations.
• Strong understanding of Congress and the policymaking process with relationships to policymakers.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including clear, credible articulation.
• Highly organized, able to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Build and maintain strong working relationships with members of Congress, congressional staff, executive branch officials, and other policymakers.
• Spend substantial time in face-to-face meetings to discuss ITIF research and engagement opportunities.
• Work with ITIF researchers to identify policymakers and arrange meetings and briefings.
• Organize congressional staff trips, briefings, roundtables, dinners, retreats, and other events.
• Recruit policymakers and stakeholders to participate in ITIF events and engage with ITIF research.
• Monitor congressional and executive activity to identify timely engagement opportunities.
• Coordinate ITIF responses to legislative and regulatory developments by connecting researchers with policymakers.
• Promote ITIF publications and events to policymakers and staff.
• Maintain records of contacts and meetings in ITIF’s CRM.
• Follow up with policymakers to develop relationships and sustained engagement.

Skills

Relationship building

Policy communication

Public policy knowledge

Project management

Public speaking

Education

Bachelor’s degree in political science, public affairs, communications, public policy, or a related field

Job description

The Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF), the world’s leading think tank for science and technology policy, is seeking a Public Policy Manager to help bring ITIF’s research and policy ideas directly to policymakers in Washington, DC.

This is a highly hands‑on role for someone who enjoys working directly with people and turning research into policy impact. The Public Policy Manager will spend substantial time meeting with members of Congress and congressional staff, executive branch officials, and other policymakers; organizing briefings and other events; and connecting ITIF researchers with the policymakers who can use their work.

This is not a lobbying position. Rather, the Public Policy Manager will help policymakers understand and engage with ITIF’s independent research and policy recommendations across a range of technology and economic policy issues.

Reporting to ITIF’s Executive Vice President for Strategic Partnerships, the Public Policy Manager will work closely with ITIF’s research and communications teams to identify opportunities to put our research in front of the right audiences and build lasting relationships with policymakers.

This is a full‑time position in Washington, DC. The salary for this position is $75,000 - $115,000, depending on experience.

ITIF also provides a health and retirement benefits package, generous paid vacation, an annual performance-based bonus, and a public transportation benefit.

• health and retirement benefits package
• generous paid vacation
• annual performance-based bonus
• public transportation benefit

Essential Responsibilities

• Build and maintain strong working relationships with members of Congress, congressional staff, executive branch officials, and other policymakers.
• Spend substantial time in face‑to‑face meetings with policymakers and their staff to discuss ITIF research and identify opportunities for engagement.
• Work closely with ITIF researchers to identify relevant policymakers and arrange meetings, briefings, and other opportunities to present their work.
• Organize and execute congressional staff trips, briefings, roundtables, salon dinners, policy retreats, and other public and private events.
• Recruit policymakers and other relevant stakeholders to participate in ITIF events and engage with ITIF research.
• Monitor congressional and executive branch activity and identify timely opportunities for ITIF researchers to engage with policymakers.
• Help coordinate ITIF responses to legislative and regulatory developments by connecting researchers with relevant policymakers and stakeholders.
• Promote ITIF publications, events, and other research directly to relevant policymakers and their staff.
• Maintain accurate and timely records of contacts, meetings, and other engagement activities in ITIF’s CRM.
• Follow up consistently with policymakers and stakeholders to develop relationships and turn individual meetings and events into sustained engagement.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in political science, public affairs, communications, public policy, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
• At least five years of relevant professional experience in government, politics, public policy, government affairs, external affairs, nonprofit organizations, or a similar field.
• Strong understanding of how Congress, the executive branch, and the policymaking process work. Demonstrated ability to build and maintain professional relationships with policymakers and other stakeholders.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to communicate complex ideas clearly and credibly in person.
• Highly organized, resourceful, and able to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Comfortable taking initiative and working independently, including identifying opportunities and following through without extensive direction.
• Ability to quickly understand and discuss research on complex policy issues.
• Strong interest in technology, innovation, economic policy, science policy, or related issues.
• Willingness to spend substantial time meeting with policymakers and working in and around the Capitol.
• Willingness to work occasional irregular hours, including early mornings and evenings, and to travel occasionally for ITIF events and other engagements.
• Ability to work collaboratively with researchers, communications staff, and other colleagues.