Legislative Affairs Manager

About the role

NRECA is a unique national trade association providing advocacy, financial services and business support services to over 900 consumer‑owned electric cooperatives across the country. Employees are united by the mission, inclusive culture, collaborative workplace and commitment to service excellence. As a “best place to work” employer, NRECA operates with integrity, transparency and a spirit of innovation. As a member of the Government Relations department, you will join a team that advocates on behalf of NRECA members on federal legislative and regulatory matters and in national policy forums, and develops and trains grassroots to impact policies at the federal, state and local levels. NRECA holds the top policy brand reputation among trade associations in Washington, D.C. for the last four consecutive years. The person in this role oversees government relations activities across a portfolio of legislative issues relevant to NRECA members, develops a deep understanding of assigned issue areas and the advocacy toolkit, and promotes and influences federal policies, legislation, and actions favorable to rural electric cooperatives and related programs. This position requires five full days in the office, with flexibility offered at the discretion of management.

Responsibilities

• Establishes and maintains relationships with Members of Congress and their staff.
• Presents electric cooperative positions and priorities to inform and persuade stakeholders.
• Uses knowledge of various advocacy strategies and tools, including grassroots, grass tops, and leveraging member involvement, to advance legislation and policy goals related to the issue portfolio.
• Develops subject matter expertise of policy and legislative issues and works closely with professionals across the association to advance legislative priorities that benefit the NRECA membership.
• Uses understanding of issues to engage, influence and inform lawmakers and NRECA stakeholders.
• Reviews, analyzes and summarizes pending legislation which may impact electric cooperative members on assigned policy areas.
• Prepares and hones messages to assist lawmakers and staff to understand NRECA’s policy priorities.
• Presents lawmakers and Directors with timely and concise updates related to pending legislation.
• Works with Directors to draft legislation in accordance with policy resolutions of the Association.
• Conducts advocacy efforts in support of policy resolutions and assists in the formulation of policy resolutions that guide strategies on assigned legislative issues.
• Prepares and hones messages to assist Members of Congress and their staffs to understand the policy priorities of NRECA and the impact of policy on electric cooperative members.
• Develops a deep understanding of co‑op landscape and issues to leverage issue‑area knowledge and advocacy skillset on behalf of NRECA members.
• Creates and cultivates relationships with member cooperatives, including statewide managers, G&T managers and distribution managers, providing legislative updates and guidance while channeling their active participation in NRECA’s advocacy efforts.

Qualifications

Required: 3 or more years of experience with congressional offices, political campaigns, or federal and/or state agency or industry relating to the assigned area of responsibility; Bachelor