Government Affairs & Access Manager

Position Description

The Government Affairs & Access Manager will strengthen relationships with Congress and other local, state, and federal government institutions to support the organization's theory of change and to ensure the progressive movement’s priorities are clearly understood and effectively advanced within the policymaking ecosystem. As a key collaborator and participant in the development and execution of organizational policy and programs, the Government Affairs and Access Manager will promote access, education, and strategic coordination, helping lawmakers, advocates, and movement partners understand what is happening in Congress, how key policy changes impact communities, and how to most effectively influence the public policymaking process in alignment with approved organizational priorities.

The ideal candidate brings deep experience in the Congressional process and political strategy, a strong commitment to progressive policy priorities, and managerial competency. You understand that advancing people-first priorities requires not only good policy ideas but shared strategy, aligned actors, and timely information. You are comfortable operating across issue areas and programs and translating legislative and executive branch developments into actionable insights for a wide range of audiences. Using independent judgment, you can develop recommendations and manage their implementation from development through execution to meet emerging movement needs.

This management-level role works across We Build Progress (501(c)(3)) and Progressive Caucus Action Fund (501(c)(4)) programs, with responsibility for managing designated workstreams and projects, supervising staff, owning external relationships, and coordinating execution in support of strategy. The role maintains strong relationships on the Hill and serves as a key connector between internal teams, Congressional offices, state and local governments, and the broader progressive movement, ensuring that the organization’s work effectively informs, educates, and influences lawmakers and the broader policy ecosystem.

The Government Affairs & Access Manager exercises independent judgment in collaboration with senior leadership to determine and implement day-to-day and external engagement and outreach priorities and tactics. Responsibilities may include supervising, assigning, and responsibly directing the work of employees and other personnel in furtherance of program goals.

Primary Responsibilities

In close collaboration with senior leadership and program leads, the Government Affairs & Access Manager's areas of responsibility include, but are not limited to, the following:

Government & Congressional Affairs

• Build and maintain relationships with Congressional offices, committee staff, caucuses, and task forces to support understanding of and commitment to progressive priorities.
• Lead and coordinate Hill meetings, including solo meetings and meetings alongside senior leadership.
• Serve as a knowledgeable and responsive point of contact for Congressional staff seeking information, analysis, appropriate staff within the organization, or connection to movement expertise.
• Strengthen relationships with state and local elected officials and agency staff, particularly where alignment with federal priorities can reinforce impact.
• Engage with executive branch staff, as appropriate, in coordination with program teams.
• Recommend adaptations to the organization’s engagement strategy across branches and levels of government to maximize impact in response to political conditions, windows of opportunity, or shifts in movement priorities.

Movement Education, Strategy, and Alignment 

• Educate movement partners, issue organizations, and advocates on Congressional process, political dynamics, and current legislative and governing activity.
• Help ensure the progressive movement is informed, aligned, and positioned to engage effectively by sharing analysis, context, and strategic insights on policymaking.
• Advise and support the development and implementation of government affairs and advocacy work for the organization's program teams, helping translate their priorities into effective tactics.
• Support cross-organization government affairs coordination by convening partners, sharing timely information, and facilitating strategic alignment.
• Develop new resources, tools, or briefings to address emerging needs based on identified organizational priorities.
• Translate and summarize complex policy and political developments into clear, accessible guidance for non-Hill audiences.

Briefings, Convenings, & Events

• Plan, organize, and execute Hill-facing briefings for members and staff.
• Organize public briefings focused on Congressional process, legislative developments, and policy priorities.
• Manage and support key organizational events, including town halls, summits, and convenings, by developing and executing agendas and staffing.
• Oversee event logistics and budget for briefings, convenings, and events, including vendor, consultant, and partner selection, contract management, and cost tracking.
• Coordinate meetings and roundtables between lawmakers, staff, and movement stakeholders to support education, relationship-building, and strategic alignment.
• Serve as a representative of the organization in meetings, briefings, and convenings, independently or alongside senior leadership, including frequent in-person engagement.

Analysis and Strategic Response

• Monitor and provide substantive and strategic analysis of Congressional activity (including committee, hearing, and floor action), legislation and legislative developments, executive branch actions, regulatory developments, policy proposals, and implementation across an evolving portfolio of priority issue areas relevant to organizational priorities.
• Analyze the political landscape surrounding priority issues, including stakeholder positioning, timing, process, and decision-maker considerations, to inform engagement pathways and advocacy tactics.
• Brief internal teams and leadership on legislative and political developments and their relevance to ongoing work.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of the organization's strategic response to legislative, regulatory, and/or political developments, including ensuring that internal teams, external partners, and stakeholders receive accurate, appropriately tailored resources to inform effective engagement.

Organizational Leadership & Management

• Oversee relevant government affairs-related projects, workstreams, or budget areas.
• In collaboration with senior leadership, independently execute complex, multi-stakeholder projects from planning through execution, maintaining timelines, mitigating risk, and ensuring high-quality implementation.
• Help establish and maintain systems for tracking engagement with Congress and other government institutions.
• Staff the Executive Director at Hill meetings and public events.
• Ensure coordination and compliance across C3 and C4 programs.
• Oversee program vendors and contractors as needed.
• Perform other duties as assigned; the omission of specific duties does not preclude the assignment of responsibilities logically related to this position.

While this role maintains a consistent focus on Congress, it also requires strategic flexibility to pivot engagement toward the executive branch or state and local government when governing moments, momentum, or movement priorities call for it.

Qualifications

To be successful in this role, you will have at least eight (8) years of progressively responsible work experience, ideally including experience working in Congress or the Executive Branch, though comparable experience in campaigns, federal advocacy, or policy organizations will be considered.

The successful candidate will demonstrate strong political judgment, executive and relationship management skills, and the ability to translate complex governing dynamics into effective approaches and implementation plans aligned with organizational priorities. They demonstrate proficiency in congressional procedure and can skillfully analyze congressional dynamics for diverse audiences. Existing relationships with progressive elected leaders and movement stakeholders are a strong plus.

Core competencies include:

• Strategist’s Mind: You quickly grasp the nuances of complex political and policy landscapes, synthesize information, and identify and recommend actionable pathways forward.
• Ownership & Resilience: You plan ahead, adapt to changing priorities, bounce back from setbacks, and maintain high standards even under pressure.
• Attention to Detail: You produce clear, error-free work products, manage complex information with precision, and turn mistakes into learning opportunities.
• Emotional Intelligence & Feedback Responsiveness: You reflect on your own impact, welcome feedback, demonstrate self-awareness and adaptability, and provide clear, constructive feedback to strengthen collaboration and program performance.
• Resourcefulness: You creatively solve problems, identify opportunities in constrained or shifting contexts, and pivot as needed to achieve objectives.
• Exceptional written communication skills: You write thoughtfully and professionally — and speedily if necessary — without sacrificing accuracy.
• Exceptional verbal communication skills: You adapt your communication to different audiences and are comfortable presenting to stakeholders, ranging from Members of Congress to colleagues and grassroots leaders.
• Commitment to Racial Equity & Social Justice: You bring an equity lens to strategy, relationships, and decision-making.
• Proactive Learning: You seek to develop new skills, stay ahead of evolving tools and technologies, and adapt quickly to new platforms or processes.

Key Relationships

This position will report to the Director of Government Affairs & Access. It will work across both We Build Progress (501(c)(3)) and the Progressive Caucus Action Fund (501(c)(4)).

Salary and Benefits

The salary range for this position is $110,000 to $120,000. Salary is based on experience and is consistent with the organization’s compensation framework.

We offer excellent benefits, including 20 annual paid vacation days, 10 sick days, one (1) personal day per month, and additional paid holiday leave between December 24 and January 1; a 5% 401(k) match, 100% employer-covered health, dental, and vision insurance for the employee, generous paid parental leave, and other benefits consistent with the Employee Handbook.

Term and Classification

This position is currently structured as a two-year term, aligned with anticipated governing and advocacy needs during this period, with the possibility of extension subject to organizational priorities and funding. This position is classified as exempt under the Fair Labor Standards Act.

Location

This position is remote and based in Washington, DC. Candidates must live in or be willing to relocate to the Washington, DC metropolitan area. While regular in-office attendance is not expected, this role requires in-person meetings in the DC area and occasional travel.

Commitment to Diversity

We Build Progress is an equal opportunity, fair chance employer committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, creed, national origin, sex, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, military status, prior history of arrest or conviction, caregiver status, or other categories protected by law.