Associate/Manager, Government Relations

The American Enterprise Institute (AEI) seeks a full-time, in-person government relations associate or manager to join the Government Relations team in promoting AEI’s scholarship among key audiences, including government officials on Capitol Hill, in the executive branch, and with key audiences around Washington. The anticipated start date for this position is as soon as possible.

The position’s primary responsibility is to maximize the impact of AEI’s ideas in federal policymaking by helping AEI scholars educate policymakers on key policy issues—particularly foreign and defense policy. Reporting to the director of government relations for foreign and defense policy, this associate or manager will be specifically responsible for managing AEI’s engagement with federal policymakers and their staffs, key government officials, and outside policy organizations. Other responsibilities include organizing and managing meetings, briefings, and events; maintaining and expanding contacts through Salesforce and other database tools; and tailoring mass-marketing products.

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 can inform and persuade diverse audiences, meet tight deadlines, multitask, and prioritize.

A bachelor’s degree is required, and two to four years of experience are desired. Experience in foreign policy, and experience working on Capitol Hill or in government relations, is strongly preferred. The associate or manager will interface directly with the members of AEI’s Government Relations team and AEI scholars and will represent AEI before a range of key audiences. 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. The final title and salary are commensurate with experience and expected capabilities. Please outline in your cover letter which title you feel your qualifications most accurately represent.

• Associate
  
  • Contribute to 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, update, and expand congressional and executive branch contacts through Salesforce and other database tools.
  • Coordinate AEI’s government relations initiatives with a focus on foreign and defense policy, including helping develop and implement a long-term strategic plan to promote AEI’s work and scholars to federal officials.
  • Coordinate engagement and outreach on specific areas of foreign and defense policy work, including defense acquisition, space policy, and technology and national security.
  • Identify and monitor legislative issues of concern to AEI scholars and fellows.
  • Communicate internally with AEI’s scholars, marketing team, and executive team regarding effective government-relations strategy efforts.
  • Draft and distribute, in conjunction with the communications team and Government Relations staff, written communications to government officials to explain and promote AEI materials and products.
  • Develop and maintain relationships among congressional staff and members on behalf of AEI.
  • Construct outreach plans for engaging national security–related coalition and association groups in Washington to further promote AEI research and similarly maintain relationships with relevant coalitions and caucuses in Congress.
• Manager
  
  • Manage AEI’s governmental relations initiatives with a focus on foreign and defense policy, including the development and implementation of a long-term strategic plan to promote AEI’s work and scholars to federal officials
  • Lead engagement and outreach on specific areas of foreign and defense policy work, including defense acquisition, space policy, and technology and national security.
  • Identify, monitor, and proactively communicate legislative issues of concern to AEI scholars and fellows
  • Create and communicate effective government-relations strategy efforts internally with AEI’s scholars, marketing team, and executive team.
  • Devise, market, and distribute, in conjunction with the communications team and Government Relations staff, outreach plans and written communications to government officials to explain and promote AEI materials and products.
  • Develop and maintain relationships among congressional staff and members on behalf of AEI.
    Construct outreach plans for engaging national security–related coalition and association groups in Washington to further promote AEI research and similarly maintain relationships with relevant coalitions and caucuses in Congress.

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-up vision for
• computer work.
• The employee must be able to lift up to 30 pounds.
• The employee must be able to work in a confined area.
• Moderate noise (e.g., from computers, phones, 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.
• Associate: Two to four years of previous, applicable full-time work experience is desired.
• Manager: Three to five years of previous, applicable full-time work experience is desired.
• Previous Capitol Hill or government relations experience is strongly preferred.
• A strong familiarity with foreign policy issues and experience working on Capitol Hill, in the executive branch, or in government relations is preferred.
• Familiarity with AEI scholars’ work and a strong interest in public policy are required.
• 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.
• Manager qualifications:
  
  • Demonstrated subject matter expertise in foreign and defense policy and a professional network within relevant government and policy circles
  • Ability to independently manage complex stakeholder relationships and influence audiences
  • Ability to operate with minimal supervision and meet demanding deadlines

Benefits

AEI offers generous benefits, including 18 days of paid leave (15 days of paid annual leave and 3 personal/floating holidays); 12 days of paid sick leave; paid family leave; medical and dental coverage, in addition to a health savings account; medical and dependent care FSA; a tuition assistance program of up to $5,200; life and disability insurance at no cost to employees; and a 403b retirement plan with a 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 $53,000–$65,000. Salary is just one component of AEI’s total compensation package for employees.