Federal Affairs Manager

Title: Federal Affairs Manager

Reports to: Federal Affairs Director

Direct Reports: None

Hours: Full-time, exempt

Location: Washington, DC Metro Area

Led by former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, GIFFORDS is a nonprofit organization whose team is on a mission to save lives from gun violence. GIFFORDS is proud to be an equal opportunity employer committed to creating an environment that celebrates diversity, equity and inclusion. People of color, trans individuals, gender non-conforming individuals, women, people with differing abilities, and veterans are strongly encouraged to apply.

GIFFORDS is seeking a Federal Affairs Manager to join our team. The Federal Affairs Manager serves as a member of the Government Affairs team, executing GIFFORDS’ federal legislative strategy and promoting the GIFFORDS policy agenda with Congress, the Administration, and partner organizations. This is a wonderful opportunity to get involved in the work to address America’s epidemic of gun violence and join a growing and high-profile national political movement.

This is a full-time position based in our Washington, DC office. This position will be expected to work in a hybrid model, with some days a week in the office, spending considerably time on Capitol Hill and the rest of the time working remotely. This position will sometimes require work outside a standard 9 to 5 work day, to include evenings and weekends as needed.

GIFFORDS employees are required to be vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus with limited exemptions as required by federal and state law. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Due to the high volume of applicants, no phone calls or emails, please.

Duties + Responsibilities

• Execute work plans for advancing the organization’s gun violence prevention policy priorities at the federal level.
• Manage relationships with congressional offices through frequent contact with a designated portfolio of legislators and their staff to communicate GIFFORDS’ mission and goals; provide feedback on legislation, letters, and other Member-led gun safety initiatives, provide education regarding gun safety issues and proactively recommend strategies to advance shared goals.
• Working with the Federal Affairs Director to help manage GIFFORDS’ federal appropriations advocacy by coordinating with internal stakeholders and external partners, as well as monitoring the annual appropriations process.
• Monitor legislative developments on an ongoing basis, both electronically and via formed relationships with key Hill staffers to provide analysis of new information, and support the federal affairs agenda by drafting talking points, fact sheets, testimony, letters, and memos.
• Coordinate across the organization with the teams necessary to identify, and provide, opportunities for grasstops leaders to participate in advocacy events at the federal level (press conferences, briefings, etc.) and train and assist GIFFORDS supporters participating in advocacy events.
• Develop and maintain working relationships with national allied organizations and partners.
• Register as a lobbyist and meet all compliance regulations and requirements related to federal lobbying work.
• Staff and prep principal or leadership for meetings with elected officials.
• Staff occasional evening or weekend events.
• Support GIFFORDS’ internal inclusion, diversity, equity, and anti-racism (IDEA) work.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required knowledge, skills + experience:

• At least 2-5 years of relevant work experience in federal legislative advocacy.
• Prior Capitol Hill experience.
• Demonstrated knowledge of congressional procedure, the appropriations process, and the general legislative process, including committee consideration, amendments, and House and Senate floor procedure.
• Ability to coordinate effectively with allied organizations, build new relationships, and create partnerships.
• Ability to independently manage multiple projects in a fast-paced environment.
• Expectation to spend the majority of your time in communication or meeting with Hill staff.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Shares GIFFORDS’ commitment to inclusion, diversity, equity and anti-racism (IDEA).
• Comfort working in a moderate political environment with bi-partisan and centrist constituencies.

Valued non-essential knowledge, skills, + experience

• Prior experience in nonprofit advocacy
• Familiarity with federal firearms regulations

Salary + benefits

The salary range for this position is $69,000 - $77,000 annually, with the exact salary depending on equivalent experience. Competitive benefits include employer-funded health, dental, and vision insurance; health, transit, and parking flexible spending accounts; 401k plan with 4% employer match; reimbursement for cell phone and monthly wifi stipend, 25 days of PTO annually plus paid week closure at the end of the calendar year; and ten paid federal holidays.

Applying + the interview process

Submit your resume and a brief cover letter (400 words maximum) that outlines three specific ways that you would be a good fit for this position—bullet points are great. Our interview process for this position consists of a phone interview, a panel video interview, a final interview, reference checks, and a background check.