Senior Government Relations Specialist

ACLU of Massachusetts • Boston, MA

3d • $100,000 - $120,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Senior Government Relations Specialist helps advance the ACLU of Massachusetts’ civil rights and civil liberties agenda in the Massachusetts state legislature and executive branch. The role supports strategic advocacy campaigns and law reform across issue areas including criminal law reform, racial justice, government accountability, freedom of expression, privacy and surveillance, immigrant rights, gender and LGBTQ equality, reproductive rights, and voting rights. The Specialist serves as a primary lobbyist at the Massachusetts State House, working with policymakers and coalitions to advance ACLUM priorities.

Reporting to the Legislative Director, the Specialist collaborates with ACLUM’s advocacy team, including legal, communications, policy, and field program colleagues, as well as National ACLU staff and external partners. The position involves legislative strategy, lobbying, campaign development and implementation, policy analysis, political communications, coalition work, and relationship-building. The role is based in Boston and eligible for a hybrid schedule, with in-person work averaging three days per week. Fully remote work is not considered a reasonable accommodation.

Requirements

• At least five years of experience advancing or managing legislative, policy, or political initiatives.
• Significant experience with political or advocacy campaigns.
• Strong familiarity with local, state, or national political processes involved in policy development and passing legislation.
• Exceptional verbal communication and persuasive writing skills, public-speaking ability, and the ability to explain complex legal concepts in simple terms to varied audiences.
• Experience and skill in analyzing substantive policy and drafting legislative documents.
• Ability to identify substantive policy and political issues in policy and landscape analyses to inform legislative and field campaign work.
• Strong relationship-building skills and ability to cultivate rapport, trust, and support for ACLUM advocacy requests among legislators and their staff.
• Ability to collaborate productively with internal partners and external stakeholders.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to engage people with varied expertise, backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives.
• Strong project-management skills, including prioritizing tasks, managing multiple responsibilities, and meeting tight deadlines.
• Self-starter who can work in a dynamically paced environment, both independently and collaboratively.
• Ability to learn and become proficient in new issue areas as assigned.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Strong belief in the ACLU’s mission and work to defend and strengthen civil rights and civil liberties.
• Commitment to diversity and inclusion and respect for differences in race, ethnicity, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, ability, and socioeconomic background.
• Ability to travel independently to locations across Massachusetts.
• Flexibility to work outside regular business hours when needed, including early mornings, evenings, and weekends.
• Ability to meet the organization’s COVID-19 vaccination requirement before commencing employment; exemptions are considered case by case in accordance with applicable law.

Nice To Haves

• In-depth knowledge of the Massachusetts political ecosystem and legislative process.
• A JD or advanced degree in political science, public policy, government relations, or a related field.

Responsibilities

• Serve as one of ACLUM’s primary lobbyists at the Massachusetts State House.
• Assist the Legislative Director in developing and implementing legislative strategies to achieve ACLUM’s advocacy objectives.
• Develop and nurture relationships with lawmakers in coordination with the Legislative Director, other ACLUM advocates, and lobbying consultants.
• Engage with legislators and their staff at the State House and at political events and fundraisers, under the Legislative Director’s direction.
• Coordinate lobbying activities and write and deliver testimony at legislative hearings with colleagues and partners.
• Represent ACLUM in legislative and advocacy coalitions as assigned.
• Collaborate with community advocates to build and exercise local political influence in support of statewide advocacy goals.
• Work with the communications team to create materials that educate and influence policymakers and the public on ACLUM’s legislative priorities.
• Stay abreast of National ACLU policy and legislative issues to inform ACLUM’s strategic advocacy.
• Collaborate with the policy team to review and track legislation and state budget proposals for civil rights and civil liberties impacts.
• Help coordinate and prepare legislative testimony and other written communications to legislators, including drafting materials, providing feedback, and shaping political tone.
• Work with policy counsel, legal colleagues, and National ACLU experts to answer policymakers’ substantive questions and bring ACLUM expertise to policy negotiations.
• Maintain current knowledge of Massachusetts politics, Beacon Hill dynamics, and the electoral landscape.
• Analyze political connections, conduct power-mapping, and develop strategies to advance ACLUM’s agenda and relationships on Beacon Hill.
• Track and document political relationships and help build political power with the legislative advocacy team.
• Engage with National ACLU political staff on joint initiatives and shared priority issues in Massachusetts.
• Complete special projects and other tasks assigned by the Legislative Director.

Benefits

• 401(k) plan with employer match.
• Medical insurance.
• Dental insurance.
• Generous paid vacation and holidays.
• Mileage reimbursement may be provided in accordance with ACLUM policies, when applicable.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: No Education Listed