Government Affairs Manager

The Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) is seeking a full-time Government Affairs Manager. The Government Affairs Manager plays an important role in advancing the organization's legislative and regulatory advocacy priorities while helping shape the policy landscape for roadway safety. The Government Affairs Manager supports the activities of the Government Affairs Team across federal policy, regulatory, and industry engagement efforts. Responsibilities include direct engagement with federal policymakers, conducting policy and legislative research, developing advocacy materials and strategic communications, monitoring policy developments, supporting member engagement activities and contributing to the execution of GHSA’s advocacy strategy.

Position Summary

The Government Affairs Manager is a key member of the GHSA Government Affairs Team, reporting to and directly supporting the Chief Government Affairs Officer. This position plays an important role in advancing the organization's legislative and regulatory advocacy priorities while helping shape the policy landscape for roadway safety.

The Government Affairs Manager supports the activities of the Government Affairs Team across federal policy, regulatory, and industry engagement efforts. Responsibilities include direct engagement with federal policymakers, conducting policy and legislative research, developing advocacy materials and strategic communications, monitoring policy developments, supporting member engagement activities and contributing to the execution of GHSA’s advocacy strategy.

Ideal candidates will have 3+ years of professional experience working in policy, advocacy, public affairs, government relations, communication, or related work. A bachelor’s degree is required. Experience conducting research and tracking/monitoring policy developments, required. The position requires up to 10% travel.

• Federal Advocacy (35%)  
• Policy Research (30%)
• Policy Communication (15%)
• Government Affairs Team Support (15%)
• CEO Partnership Support (5%)

Primary Responsibilities

FEDERAL ADVOCACY (35%)

• Support the GHSA’s government affairs efforts including working with GHSA members to assist in the development of policy priorities at the federal level and coordinating advocacy activities internally.
• Assist in drafting communications and collateral materials for Congress, the Administration, regulatory agencies, GHSA members, and other stakeholders.
• Draft high-quality one-pagers, memos, and fact sheets to support advocacy efforts.
• Research and draft responses to regulatory actions and requests for information.
• Communicate regularly with members and internal staff to coordinate policy development and legislative and regulatory activities.
• Support member priorities through Congressional advocacy, including preparation for and participation in Congressional staff meetings.
• Help build and strengthen coalitions around policy priorities.
• Attend and report on hearings, webinars, and other policy events.

POLICY RESEARCH (30%)

• Conduct legislative, regulatory, and other policy tracking and research particularly related to legislative and regulatory developments from the relevant Congressional Committees, the U.S. Department of Transportation, and other relevant Federal agencies.
• Research State Highway Safety Office activities and relevant policy issues and provide background information to inform policy development, regulatory response, and advocacy activities with Congress and federal agencies.

POLICY COMMUNICATIONS (15%)

• Draft social media content, press releases, and other communications materials to support the advancement of GHSA’s policy priorities.
• Compile and share timely policy updates with GHSA members to keep them informed of relevant legislative, regulatory, and advocacy developments.

GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS TEAM SUPPORT (15%)

• Support policy and government affairs activities with GHSA Executive Board engagements and external events through presentation creation and other preparation materials.
• Support management of relevant GHSA committees and working groups.
• Coordinate meetings with external stakeholders on policy matters.

CEO PARTNERSHIP SUPPORT (5%)

• Work with the CEO on special projects.
• Organize partner meetings and prepare meeting materials.

Position Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent.
• Minimum of 3 years of professional experience working in policy, advocacy, public affairs, government affairs, communications, or related work.
• Experience writing fact sheets, memos, one-page documents, and other materials for external audiences in plain language, with the ability to provide a writing sample upon request.
• Experience conducting policy, legislative, or regulatory research.
• Experience supporting projects, programs, events, committees, working groups, or stakeholder engagement activities.
• Experience tracking and monitoring legislative, regulatory, or public policy developments.
• Demonstrated ability to take initiative, quickly learn a new subject matter, and solve problems independently. 

Additional Information

GHSA represents the state and territorial highway safety offices that implement programs to address behavioral and highway safety issues, including occupant protection, impaired driving and speeding. GHSA provides leadership and advocacy for the States and Territories to improve traffic safety, influence national policy, enhance program management, and promote best practices. GHSA is located on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. For more information about the Governors Highway Safety Association, see ghsa.org.

GHSA is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. GHSA believes in the fundamental principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion and is committed to actively fostering varying experiences and perspectives.

Starting salary is $75,000 – $85,000 + Benefits. GHSA offers telecommuting up to 2 days per week dependent on business needs. Interested candidates should send their resume and salary expectations to Elizabeth Richards.