Sr. Associate, Policy and Government Affairs

Background

Since 1987, the NC Rural Center has worked to improve the quality of life for the state’s rural people and places. We operate with the core belief that our rural communities have inherent cultural value and are vital to the overall economic health of our state. We recognize that the changing landscape of rural North Carolina brings with it significant challenges, but we also believe in the resiliency of our state’s rural people and their dedicated stewardship of the communities they call home.

The Mission

The mission of the NC Rural Center is to develop, promote, and implement sound economic strategies to improve the quality of life of rural North Carolinians. We serve the state’s 78 rural counties, with a special focus on individuals with low-to-moderate incomes and communities with limited resources.

Position Overview

The Rural Center seeks an experienced Sr. Associate, Policy and Government Affairs who is passionate about rural communities and committed to collaboratively developing policies that will create stronger economies and a higher quality of life for all in North Carolina.

The position will report to the Senior Director of Policy, Advocacy and Innovation and will be responsible for working with diverse networks of state and federal policymakers, local leaders, and rural champions to research, develop, and advocate for innovative nonpartisan policy solutions to rural North Carolina’s biggest economic development challenges.

The ideal candidate is comfortable with a variety of economic development policy areas and would be ready and willing to learn about new issues as they arise. Strong research and communication skills are required, as well as an ability to collaborate effectively with stakeholders holding a broad spectrum of political views. In a fast-paced work environment with competing deadlines, strong time management skills are second only to good humor and enthusiasm for the work of the Rural Center.

Duties and Responsibilities

Policy Research and Development

•  In conjunction with the research team, conduct policy research and development efforts for the Rural Center’s advocacy program
• Track and analyze state and federal policy developments and legislation related to Rural Center’s legislative priorities
• Collaborate with Rural Center research team on original research and analysis of relevant policy proposals from other states, think tanks, and advocacy organizations
• Convene state policy experts and advocacy leaders for the purpose of collaborative policy development

Team Management

• Provide coordination and supervision to government relations consultants, freelancers, and contractors, as appropriate
• Provide coordination and supervision to advocacy interns and other policy and research team members as assigned

Government Affairs

• Develop and maintain strong, trusted working relationships with legislative and executive staff and leadership at the state and federal levels; inform and advise policymakers on preferred courses of legislative and regulatory advocacy and action
•  Attend relevant state government meetings, including but not limited to NC General Assembly committee meetings, state regulatory board meetings, public information sessions, and press conferences
• Represent the Rural Center on various policy-related task forces, committees, and coalitions (as appropriate)

Communication & Membership Engagement

• Share regular policy updates with Rural Center advocates via email newsletters and presentations
• Manage the development of policy-related communications materials for distribution to external audiences (toolkits, videos, social media messages, factsheets, issue briefs, talking points, etc.)
• Manage online advocacy tools (action alert system, legislative tracker, etc.)
• In collaboration with other advocacy team members, manage network engagement activities, including trainings and events
• Collaborate with Rural Center communications staff to share policy proposals and best practices through whitepapers, issue briefs, and other creative media strategies
• Coordinate engagement opportunities between Rural Counts advocates and state and federal policymakers
• Respond to policy inquiries from Rural Center staff members and partners
• Support planning and execution of Rural Center policy-advocacy events, including but not limited to Rural Summit, advocacy days, legislative visits, webinars, and regional forums

Hiring Requirements and Attributes

•  Bachelor’s degree and three to five years of work experience, preferably in a government relations, policy development setting, community engagement, communications, or other related field
•  Strong understanding of and interest in broad-based economic development policy, including education, healthcare, digital and physical infrastructure, manufacturing, agriculture, and small-business development
• Ability to quickly learn about other policy issues and legislation, as well as broader economic and demographic trends
•  Outstanding written and oral communication skills
• A dynamic understanding of the rural narrative and how best to foster its assets to inform policy change at the state and federal levels
•  Discretion, tact, professionalism, and the ability to act independently with good judgment in representing the Rural Center to the general public and policymakers, and the ability to function as part of a team working toward a common objective
•  Experience managing multiple competing priorities and complex assignments
•  Ability to relate easily to diverse individuals and groups, form and lead coalitions, and foster consensus
•  Willingness to work nontraditional hours during legislative sessions and to occasionally travel across North Carolina
• Other duties as assigned

The NC Rural Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer