Government Relations Manager

Description

About Us:

• If you’re looking for an opportunity to transform the lives of poor and homeless men, women, and children in your community, we may have a job for you.
• Since 1972, Metropolitan Ministries has been providing life-changing solutions for those who are homeless and at risk of becoming homeless in Tampa Bay.
• We are a grassroots, donor, and volunteer-fueled community nonprofit. At Metropolitan Ministries, we serve families in Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, Polk and Hernando counties with compassion, practical help, and a willingness to make a huge difference. 

What we offer: 

· Salary:  $58,000 - $60,000 

· Group health, vision, and dental coverage at affordable rates, along with family coverage if you choose to purchase it.

· Preventative care is 100% covered (free) on all plans.

· PTO is offered to full-time and part-time employees. 

· 11 days of PTO and 10 paid holidays annually. 

· Option to participate in the 401K plan with employer match. 

· $15,000 in employee Life Insurance paid for by Metropolitan Ministries.

· Employee Assistance Program

· Option to participate in supplemental group insurance plans at affordable rates.

· Tuition reimbursement program

· Training and career development.

· Discounted membership at the YMCA.

Work Schedule & Location: While some flexibility may be available, this is not a remote-only position. A successful candidate must be able to work from Metropolitan Ministries offices and attend meetings, events, site visits, and community engagements in person as business needs require.

Job Functions: The Government Relations Manager supports Metropolitan Ministries’ mission by coordinating day-to-day government relations and public affairs activity at the municipal, county, state, and federal levels. Working under the direction of the VP, Program Innovation, this position tracks legislative and budget developments, maintains records and relationships with government contacts, coordinates logistics for meetings and site visits with public officials, and prepares briefing materials that support the work of executive leadership and the organization’s contracted lobbyist(s). This is an entry-level management position: the Government Relations Manager owns the organization’s government relations calendar, records, and event coordination, and may supervise interns or volunteers assigned to the function. 

Essential Responsibilities:

Legislative and Policy Tracking

• Track legislative sessions, regulatory changes, budget priorities, and funding developments across municipalities, counties, and state and federal governments relevant to Metropolitan Ministries’ core program areas, including homelessness and poverty alleviation.
• Maintain a current calendar of legislative sessions, committee meetings, budget deadlines, and advocacy events, and alert leadership to items requiring attention.
• Summarize policy and budget developments into clear, timely written updates for the VP, Program Innovation and internal teams.
• Own and maintain the government relations tracking system, ensuring information is accurate, current, and accessible to leadership.
• Provide staff support to the organization’s contracted government relations lobbyist(s), including scheduling, information gathering, follow-up, and documentation.

Relationship Coordination and Stewardship

• Maintain and steward working relationships with government staff, agency contacts, and the offices of elected officials.
• Facilitate stewardship touchpoints to ensure consistent, thoughtful engagement beyond transactional funding requests.
• Responsible for the logistics of site visits, program tours, briefings, and one-on-one meetings between government sector leaders and Metropolitan Ministries leadership.
• Accompany and staff executive leadership at meetings with public officials, ensuring that notes, action items, and follow-up commitments are captured. 
• Attend and staff assigned events, coalition meetings, and legislative activities, including advocacy days and delegation meetings, representing Metropolitan Ministries.
• Coordinate invitations, RSVPs, and follow-up stewardship for elected officials and VIPs attending Metropolitan Ministries events, including groundbreakings, grand openings, campaign launches, board events, and program milestones.

Partnership with Community Engagement and Philanthropy, Marketing, and Donor Services

• Work in partnership with the Community Engagement and Philanthropy, Marketing, and Donor Services departments to align government relations activity with donor cultivation, volunteer engagement, community partnership, and communications efforts.
• Provide Marketing with accurate information on public policy, government partnerships, and public investment to support messaging and collateral developed and approved by that team.
• Work with Donor Services to ensure government contacts, engagements, and outreach activity are accurately entered in the donor database, and to coordinate acknowledgment and stewardship touchpoints for public-sector stakeholders.
• Participate in cross-departmental planning meetings for signature events, campaigns, and community initiatives to support appropriate public-sector participation.
• Share legislative and policy updates that inform community engagement messaging and philanthropic support.

Funding and Public Investment Support

• Support the Grants team in aligning government relations activity with government grants and appropriations, municipal, county, and state budget priorities, and federal funding opportunities.
• Assist the Grants team in identifying and tracking public funding opportunities at all levels of government.
• Draft and assemble briefing memos, talking points, legislative updates, and funding request materials for review and use by executive leadership.
• Prepare and route letters of support, endorsement requests, and budget submission materials for leadership signature and approval.

Compliance

• Support compliance with applicable lobbying, reporting, and ethical standards, including timely submission of required registrations and disclosures.

Requirements

Education and Experience:

Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration, Political Science, Communications, Nonprofit Management, or a related field required. Three years of experience in public affairs, government relations, legislative or agency staff work, nonprofit advocacy, or a related field required. Working knowledge of municipal, county, and/or state budget and funding processes preferred. Experience supporting or staffing relationships with public officials preferred.

Skills Requirements:

Strong written communication skills, with the ability to summarize policy and budget information clearly and accurately. Highly organized and detail-oriented, with demonstrated ability to manage calendars, records, and follow-up across multiple stakeholders. Proficiency with Microsoft Office and comfort working in a donor or contact database. Proactive, dependable, and comfortable operating in relationship-driven environments. Ability to coordinate across Community Engagement and Philanthropy, Marketing, Donor Services, Grants, executive leadership, lobbyists, and government staff. Sound judgment and discretion, including a clear understanding of when to escalate matters to the VP, Program Innovation or executive leadership. Commitment to Metropolitan Ministries’ mission, values, culture, and service model, including respect for the organization’s faith-based heritage and commitment to serving all families with dignity.

Physical Requirements:

Regular local travel throughout Hillsborough, Pasco, and Pinellas counties, with occasional travel to Tallahassee. Availability for occasional early morning, evening, and weekend events and meetings.

Other:

Ability to work evenings and weekends as needed for donor engagement and events. Must pass applicable pre-employment screening and demonstrate legal authorization to work in the United States.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

We are committed to creating a diverse and welcoming workplace that includes partners with diverse backgrounds and experiences. We believe that enables us to better meet our mission and values while serving individuals throughout our local communities. People of color, women, LGBTQIA+, Veterans and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Qualified applicants with criminal histories will be considered for employment in a manner consistent with all federal state and local ordinances. 

Metropolitan Ministries is committed to offering reasonable accommodation to job applicants with disabilities. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please contact us at 813-209-1083 or via email at [email protected]