Manager, Legislative Affairs, Feeding America

The Opportunity

This position will use a wide range of analytic, written, and communications skills to increase bipartisan support at the federal level for Feeding America’s policy priorities. Responsibilities include influencing Congressional and Administration stakeholders to support legislation and actions that increase resources for households facing food insecurity and the Feeding America network, implementing a wide range of strategic, analytic, and legislative skills to increase support among federal lawmakers and officials (special emphasis on Farm Bill, food and agriculture issues, and the appropriations process), and positioning Feeding America as the leading authority on hunger and hunger-related issues.

Salary Range: $66,000 to $85,000+ Based on Experience

Responsibilities

• Work with the Vice President, Government Relations, Agriculture & Nutrition to lobby committees of jurisdiction in Congress and the Administration to gain support for Feeding America’s mission and legislative policy priorities to end hunger.
• Support the crafting of strategy and lead legislative outreach across the political spectrum to increase bipartisan support for Feeding America’s policy priorities in Congress.
• Contribute to building support among food industry, agriculture, and business organizations to support increased education and awareness about hunger, including increased support for legislative policy priorities to end hunger.
• Manage legislative and regulatory meetings with members of Congress, Administration officials, coalition partners, and stakeholders to advocate for Feeding America’s legislative policy priorities to end hunger.
• Support development and execution of Feeding America’s legislative campaigns to strengthen nutrition programs, with a specific emphasis on building bipartisan support for Feeding America’s policy priorities in the Farm Bill and/or appropriations legislation.
• Plan and execute Congress and Administration briefings, webinars, hearings, and roundtables, with the goal of increasing bipartisan support for, knowledge and awareness of the issues of food insecurity, federal nutrition programs and Feeding America’s policy priorities to address food insecurity.
• Develop food bank network and external coalition partner policy one pagers, factsheets, talking points, and additional legislative analysis resources to educate members of Congress, Administration officials, and stakeholders on Feeding America’s mission and legislative policy priorities to end hunger.
• Leverage a broad understanding of federal nutrition programs and food and agriculture policy to provide legislative, policy, and technical support to Feeding America National Office, key partners, policymakers, and the network.
• Monitor media and research outlets, listservs, and other communication sources for information of relevance to nutrition assistance programs, food and agriculture policy, and food insecurity to track legislative trends.

Foundational Requirements:

• Mission Focused – Demonstrates a commitment to Feeding America’s mission through word and action. Is committed to keeping people facing hunger at the center of our work and strives to translate this commitment into action on a daily basis. Willing to advocate for people facing hunger and serve as an ambassador for Feeding America inside and outside of work.
• Embraces Equity, Diversity and Inclusion – Demonstrates a personal commitment to valuing different backgrounds and life experiences through word and action. Takes personal actions to build an inclusive culture that ensures everyone can fully contribute based on their unique talents, skills and perspectives and feels welcomed and valued. Commits to driving equitable solutions to address root cause issues by incorporating an equity framework in their daily work. Committed to continuous personal EDI development.

Required Leadership Competencies:

• Translates Strategy to Operational Goals: Constructs project plans aligned with organization and department strategies and priorities. Makes data- and fact-based decisions aligned with department and organizational strategy. Translates project goals into SMART team and/or individual goals consistent with overall department strategy.
• Drives Change: Offers suggestions for improving processes or change plans. Discusses concerns with leadership in a productive manner, then regardless of outcome, embraces changes. Reaches out to key stakeholders to understand their perspectives, overcome resistance, and gain buy-in. Speaks positively about changes and helps others understand how to be successful during times of change.
• Continuously Improves: Analyzes current practices, policies, and procedures to find areas for improvement and incorporate best practices. Leverages continuous improvement tools and mindset when designing and implementing projects and processes. Committed to team and personal learning.
• Inspires, Motivates and Influences Others: Creates an environment where people feel positive about the organization, colleagues, and the mission. Identifies and recognizes good performance. Shares credit for team accomplishments and sincerely thanks others for their contributions. Influences decisions by presenting a logical and compelling case.
• Operates with Integrity: Builds trust by consistently operating with honesty, openness, and authenticity. Anchors actions and decisions in our mission. Consistently treats others with fairness, dignity, compassion, and respect. Demonstrates courage of convictions while respecting the views of others. Supports organization/department decisions in words and actions. Openly takes responsibility for mistakes, corrects them, and apologizes when appropriate and necessary.

Required Technical Competencies, Experience and Education:

• 5+ years of legislative or government relations experience
• BA/BS in Political Science, Government Affairs, Public Policy, Advocacy or other related experience.
• Must have Capitol Hill, political campaign, federal government, or issue advocacy experience.
• Strong understanding of the federal legislative and regulatory process and congressional committee structure.
• Ability to interact and manage relationships with broad groups of stakeholders.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Committed to organizational mission of ending hunger.
• Proficient in MS Office applications