Job Description
Government Affairs Manager Location Buffalo, NY (Kaisertown area) : Description:
SUMMARY OF DUTIES: Responsible for the management and implementation of the organization's government affairs and advocacy program including the establishment and maintenance of effective working relationships with new and existing federal, state, county and municipal government officials; issues management and policy development; as well as serving as an ambassador to key community organizations and initiatives.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Develops and maintains annual government affairs plan to include frequent touch points with municipal, county, state and federal government officials; tracks interactions and outcomes of meetings and correspondence with elected officials and staff;
- Maintains deep understanding of all aspects of organization's operations, finances and programs, as well as evolving trends in the larger hunger-relief landscape;
- Proactively seeks funding from all levels of government to support organization's programs and initiatives;
- Works with Chief Communications Officer, Executive Vice President of External Affairs, President and CEO and management team to identify legislative priorities for organization;
- Communicates and advocates organization's legislative priorities to elected officials and staff;
- Monitors legislation and policy activities, updates and advises organizational leadership on relevant policy proposals and actions;
- Works with Communications team and relevant staff to develop materials in support of government affairs plan, including but not limited to fact sheets, presentations, legislative summaries and talking points;
- Manages all government affairs events including key events in partnership with state and national trade associations and elected officials;
- Serves as an advocacy resource and coach to community partners as needed, directed and requested;
- Engages staff, organizational stakeholders (including but not limited to Boards and Community; Ambassador Council members) and community partners in support of the organization's government affairs strategy and cultivates grassroot and grasstop advocates;
- Leverages Feeding America, Meals on Wheels America, Feeding New York State, Meals on Wheels New York State, NANASP and related resources and actively seeks and uses information related to public policy and hunger advocacy;
- Serves as organizational liaison on relevant committees, reports back to Chief Communications Officer and relevant staff;
- Meal delivery to clients and other mission oriented work as needed; and
- Other duties as assigned.
Requirements:
- Bachelor's degree or higher with a minimum of two years of experience in government relations, communications or related field. Nonprofit experience preferred;
- Excellent communication skills, both written and oral;
- Strong interpersonal and customer service skills as well as experience with effective networking;
- Detail-oriented;
- Knowledge of local, county, state and federal legislative and executive processes;
- Innovative, self-starter who is able to work both independently and as part of a team;
- Ability to organize and prioritize work, be proactive, take initiative, resolve problems, follow through and simultaneously manage multiple priorities to ensure goals are met;
- Knowledge of Microsoft Office, Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook;
- Must have a high level of professional, ethical behavior and an ability to work well with multiple constituencies;
- Ability to travel as necessary to support FeedMore WNY initiatives, including valid NYS Driver's License;
- Ability to work evenings and weekends as necessary; and
- Capable of lifting 35 lbs.
Job Tags
Full time, Relief, Local area, Weekend work, Afternoon shift,