Assistant, Government Relations

The American Enterprise Institute (AEI) seeks a full-time, in-person government relations assistant to provide operational support to its Government Relations team. The Government Relations team promotes AEI’s scholarship among key audiences, including government officials on Capitol Hill and executive branch staff. The anticipated start date for this position is as soon as possible. Soon-to-be graduates are welcome to apply.

The assistant’s primary responsibility is to assist the AEI Government Relations team in maximizing the impact of AEI’s ideas in federal policymaking by organizing and supporting the team’s operations. Other responsibilities include maintaining and expanding congressional and executive branch contacts through Salesforce and other database tools; organizing internal and external meetings, briefings, and events; and providing operational support to the vice president of Government Relations.

Successful candidates will be self-starters with strong oral and written communication skills, be detail oriented and organized, have a keen interest in public policy and research, and have the ability to inform and persuade diverse audiences, meet tight deadlines, multitask, and prioritize.

Qualified candidates should submit a resume, a cover letter demonstrating their interest in AEI’s mission and scholarly work, an academic transcript, and a 500-word writing sample.

• Schedule and manage projects in support of the vice president of Government Relations.
• Coordinate directly with AEI’s Government Relations team and internal departments on Institute-wide projects.
• Provide general support to the Government Relations team.
• Organize and schedule meetings, briefings, and events on a variety of policy issues.
• Support the Government Relations team to maximize the impact of AEI’s ideas in federal policymaking by tailoring mass marketing products and researching relevant issues.
• Maintain and expand congressional and executive branch contacts through Salesforce and other database tools.

Physical requirements and working conditions at AEI:

• The employee is regularly expected to stand, sit, talk, hear, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer, telephone, and keyboard. This job requires close vision abilities due to computer work.
• The employee must be able to lift up to 30 pounds at times.
• The employee must be able to work in a confined area.
• Moderate noise (e.g., from computers, phone, printers, and light traffic) is expected.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential responsibilities associated with this position.

• A bachelor’s degree is required.
• 0–2 years of previous, applicable full-time work experience are required; previous internship experience is strongly preferred.
• A strong familiarity with US public policy issues and experience working on Capitol Hill, in the executive branch, or in government relations are preferred.
• Familiarity with the work of AEI scholars and a strong interest in public policy are preferred.
• The candidate must be a self-starter with strong oral and written communication skills.
• The ability to inform and persuade diverse audiences is required.
• The candidate must be able to meet tight deadlines, multitask, and prioritize.

Benefits

AEI offers generous benefits, including 18 days of paid leave (15 days of paid annual leave and 3 personal days or floating holidays); 12 days of paid sick leave; paid family leave; medical and dental coverage, in addition to a health savings account; a medical and dependent care flexible spending account; a tuition assistance program of up to $5,200; life and disability insurance at no cost to employees; and a 403(b) retirement plan with a 12 percent contribution from AEI, among other benefits. For more information, you can see a full summary of our benefits at https://www.aei.org/jobs/benefits/.

Compensation is based on a number of factors, including the position’s scope and responsibilities; a candidate's full-time, applicable work experience; key skills and qualifications; and internal and external market considerations. The salary range for this full-time, exempt position is $48,000–$52,000. Salary is just one component of AEI’s total compensation package for employees.