Government Relations Manager

Association of American Medical Colleges • Washington, DC

1d • $140,250 - $165,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Government Relations Manager serves as a recognized subject-matter expert within Government Relations, independently advancing AAMC's federal advocacy priorities related to the federal budget/appropriations, medical research, public health, Veterans Affairs, and higher education. The role leads legislative analysis, advocacy strategy implementation, and major coalition initiatives within the portfolio; represents AAMC before Congress, federal agencies, and national coalitions; and serves as the primary lead for significant advocacy partnerships and policy initiatives. The position exercises significant judgment in complex, evolving policy environments, provides strategic recommendations to senior leadership, and leads cross-functional efforts that advance organizational priorities.

Requirements

• A bachelor’s degree is required for this position, along with a minimum of 8 years of progressively responsible experience in federal government relations, legislative affairs, public policy, health policy, higher education policy, scientific research advocacy, or related fields, including demonstrated experience leading major advocacy initiatives, legislative portfolios, coalition activities, or policy programs.
• Recognized subject matter expertise in federal legislative and regulatory processes, advocacy strategy, coalition engagement, and policy analysis.
• Demonstrated experience leading significant advocacy initiatives, coalitions, programs, or cross-functional projects.
• 8+ years of progressively responsible experience in federal government relations, legislative affairs, public policy, health policy, higher education policy, scientific research advocacy, or related fields, including demonstrated experience leading major advocacy initiatives, legislative portfolios, coalition activities, or policy programs, including experience:
• Developing legislative strategy recommendations and advising organizational leadership regarding policy opportunities, risks, and engagement approaches.
• Working with elected officials at local, state, and federal level.
• Covering hearings, briefings, and related events.
• Handling advocacy and constituency coalitions communications and inquiries.
• Tracking and analyzing federal legislative and regulatory issues.
• Experience working on federal budget, appropriations, medical research, public health, health care, higher education, Veterans Affairs, or related policy issues.
• Strong analytical, verbal, and written communication skills (with particular emphasis on writing) required.
• Strong interpersonal and organizational skills.
• Ability to utilize AAMC software to work with the team to post approved content online.
• Presenting on and communicating analyses and positions on key legislative and policy issues to various audiences.
• Drafting and disseminating policy documents and related materials.
• Facilitating working groups, leading collaborative initiatives, and driving consensus among internal and external stakeholders.
• Experience working on federal budget, appropriations, medical research, public health, health care, higher education, Veterans Affairs, or related policy issues.
• Strong analytical, verbal, and written communication skills (with particular emphasis on writing) required.
• Strong interpersonal and organizational skills.
• Ability to utilize AAMC software to work with the team to post approved content online.

Nice To Haves

• Working knowledge of policy areas important to medical schools and teaching hospitals.
• Experience running and writing government affairs newsletter.

Responsibilities

• Lead advocacy planning and implementation efforts for assigned policy priorities and legislative initiatives.
• Serve as subject matter expert for designated legislative and regulatory issue areas.
• Develop strategic recommendations for leadership regarding emerging legislative opportunities, risks, and stakeholder engagement approaches.
• Build relationships with, and educate Congress, Federal Executive Branch, AAMC constituents, and advocacy partners on AAMC policy priorities.
• Develop advocacy materials and implement advocacy messaging and strategy.
• Lead Congressional advocacy meetings and educate Members of Congress and their staff.
• Develop and maintain professional relationships with congressional staff and advocacy partners.
• Organize Congressional briefings on AAMC priorities.
• Increase Congressional support for AAMC-supported legislation.
• Staff and lead the Friends of VA Medical Care and Health Research Coalition and related higher education coalitions.
• Represent the AAMC and related policy priorities at Congressional hearings, briefings, and stakeholder meetings with fellow health care organizations.
• Lead and facilitate working groups for government relations representatives on key issues as advocacy needs emerge.
• Coordinate cross-functional advocacy efforts involving policy, communications, research, and constituent engagement teams throughout the organization.
• Inform AAMC constituents of important legislative and regulatory activity and communicate the AAMC’s views to the medical and scientific research, physician, hospital, health, and higher education communities.
• Serve as AAMC legislative issue lead to track, analyze, and summarize for internal and external audiences legislation and regulations at various stages of the policymaking process, including issue briefs and one- pagers.
• Monitor and respond to fast-moving legislative and regulatory developments, providing rapid analysis, strategic recommendations, and messaging guidance during time-sensitive or high-impact situations affecting AAMC priorities.
• Serve as Deputy Director for the AAMC-led Ad Hoc Group for Medical Research, managing day-to-day coalition operations and helping to shape advocacy strategies, priorities, and engagement activities in partnership with the Senior Director, Government Relations/coalition Executive Director.
• Draft correspondence on behalf of the coalition.
• Lead working groups.
• Develop and disseminate materials to the coalition.
• Manage content on the coalition’s website.
• Shape the development of the coalition agenda.
• Lead and participate in strategy and advocacy meetings.
• Serve as Washington Highlights co-editor and assist in creating and updating materials for the advocacy section of the AAMC website.
• Manage Washington Highlights contributors across the organization to secure, review, and publish content for the newsletter.
• Work directly with Chief Public Policy Officer and others across the association to manage several high priority projects and organizational strategy issues.
• Lead project teams and workgroups established to address emerging legislative and policy priorities.
• Participate in selected meetings on behalf of the Department or the organization, deliver presentations on topics within portfolio.
• Provide guidance, coaching, mentorship, and review of work products for legislative analysts, specialists, and other staff across the association supporting advocacy initiatives.

Benefits

• Comprehensive Health & Wellness – Medical, dental, and vision coverage; wellness programs; and fitness reimbursement
• Generous Time Away – Paid time off, holidays, personal days, sick leave, paid parental leave and short‑ and long‑term disability benefits.
• Retirement & Financial Well-Being – 403(b) retirement plan with generous employer contributions and financial planning resources
• Family & Care Support – Backup care for children, elders, and pets, plus resources for families with specialized needs
• Learning & Purpose: Tuition reimbursement, professional learning and development opportunities and the chance to advance a meaningful mission.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior