The Cato Institute is seeking applications for a full-time position located in Washington, D.C., to serve as a Manager of Government Affairs. The Manager will work to maintain Cato as a prime source for objective analysis for federal policymakers and to ensure that Cato scholars have access to and the proper tools needed to help Congress and the executive branch develop and advance principled policy solutions. Reporting to Cato’s Director of Government Affairs, the Manager will work closely with the existing federal affairs team and appropriate policy scholars to devise and execute engagement strategies for a portfolio of domestic policy issues. This portfolio will include, but is not limited to, policy areas such as criminal justice reform, civil liberties, civil asset forfeiture, technology, education, and immigration.

This is a hybrid position in Washington, DC.

The projected salary range for this role is $65,000 - $100,000 per year. Compensation is based on the successful candidate's educational background, experience, and skills.

About Cato

The Cato Institute is a public policy research organization – a think tank – dedicated to the principles of individual liberty, limited government, free markets, and peace. Its scholars and analysts conduct independent, nonpartisan research on a wide range of policy issues.

Founded in 1977, Cato owes its name to Cato’s Letters, a series of essays published in 18th-century England that presented a vision of a society free from excessive government power. Those essays inspired the architects of the American Revolution. And the simple, timeless principles of that revolution – individual liberty, limited government, and free markets – turn out to be even more powerful in today’s world of global markets and unprecedented access to information than Jefferson or Madison could have imagined. Social and economic freedom is not just the best policy for a free people, it is the indispensable framework for the future. 

The Cato Institute is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Responsibilities

• Build and maintain relationships with policymakers in Congress and the executive branch
• Identify, create, and assist with opportunities for Cato scholars to provide congressional testimony, statements for the record, and other high-impact opportunities for Cato scholars
• Track and advise Cato scholars and staff on ongoing and emerging dynamics in Congress and the executive branch to ensure Cato’s maximum impact on the policy debate
• Devise, recommend, and execute engagement strategies for the issue portfolio with the goal of positively influencing the policy debate
• Oversee distribution of Cato scholarship to an audience in Congress and the executive branch
• Work with existing federal affairs staff to ensure Cato-wide coordination of the Institute’s efforts
• Exercise exceptional judgment to ensure the protection and enhancement of Cato’s reputation for excellence, integrity, and dedication to principle

Education/ Experience

• A bachelor’s degree in political science, economics, or a related field
• Three to six years of issue-management experience in Congress or the executive branch, or similar experience with a think tank, association, or in the for-profit sector 
• Demonstrated experience with policy analysis and communicating policy positions to external audiences
• A demonstrated appreciation for Cato’s mission and principles
• Comprehensive understanding of congressional rules, procedures, and operations

Skills

• Excellent project management skills with the ability to carry a project from conception to completion
• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Innovative, creative thinking with knowledge of creating events of various sizes and target audiences
• Detail-oriented with strong administration and execution skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills and an outgoing personality
• Strong work ethic with an enthusiastic, positive attitude

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with domestic policy areas with specific emphasis on immigration or legal/judiciary issues 

To Apply

Please submit the following materials:

• Cover letter 
• Résumé.

Benefits 

All Cato employees are provided with: 

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance 
• Employer contribution to a Health Savings Account (HSA) 
• Generous vacation and sick days 
• Paid parental leave 
• Employer-provided life and disability insurance  
• 401(k) employer match 
• Transit/ Parking benefits  
• Pet discount plan 

Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. This position does not offer visa sponsorship.