About the Mercatus Center at George Mason University
For over 40 years, the Mercatus Center at George Mason University has been the world’s premier university source for market-oriented ideas—bridging the gap between academic ideas and real-world problems. A university-based research center, Mercatus works to advance knowledge about how markets work to improve our lives by training graduate students, conducting research, and applying sound economics to offer solutions to society’s most pressing problems.
Role Overview
We are seeking a highly organized motivated Outreach Associate to engage in outreach activities on the state and federal level. This individual would be a proactive self-starter who possesses an intellectually curious mindset, and is eager to delve into and quickly grasp new policy topics as required. A firm believer in free market principles as effective solutions to societal issues, you should have a passion for reading policy papers and identifying valuable research and ideas that can contribute to the policy-making process. If you thrive in a dynamic environment and are committed to excellence in public policy, we encourage you to apply.
Key Responsibilities
- Design and develop outreach strategies to disseminate Mercatus research on construction and zoning, labor practices, and artificial intelligence policy
- Track and monitor federal and state legislation on topics related to construction and zoning, labor practices, and artificial intelligence policy
- Manage and build relationships with staffers, legislators, and executive office officials
- Create email marketing campaigns to promote Mercatus research
- Manage relationships with outside groups, including think tanks, trade associations, and advocacy organizations
- Facilitate formal opportunities for scholars to share their research with policymakers (e.g. testimony)
- Help plan and support scholars during conferences and state capital visits
- Manage relationships with contract consultants and maximize outreach efforts based on those conversations
- Attend relevant policy workshops and events around DC to promote Mercatus program visibility
- Stay up-to-date with Mercatus scholarly research
- Create biweekly updates of state legislation for teams when necessary
- Help transform technical and scholarly research into work products that are understandable by lay audiences
- Keep up-to-date internal records of significant outside activities
Qualifications
- 3+ years of experience relevant to the role preferred; internships may be considered experience (if you read through this job description and felt you were a fit, you are encouraged to apply)
- Commitment to and excitement for the mission of the Mercatus Center
- Entrepreneurial spirit with the ability to work independently
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- Exceptional time management skills and ability to meet deadlines
- Bachelor’s degree
- Ability to travel 15-20% domestically and holds a driver’s license
- Experience with legislative, government relations or public policy research settings is a plus
EEO Statement: We are an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law. Mercatus complies with federal, state, and university rules as they relate to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Employee Benefits: Salary is competitive and will be commensurate with experience. In addition, Mercatus provides excellent benefits to all individual employees, including full health and dental coverage, flexible spending accounts, long-term disability and life insurance, a 403(b) retirement savings program, parking/travel benefits, and twelve free credits per year at George Mason University.
To Apply
Qualified candidates should submit the following application materials (in order) in one PDF document:
- Cover letter explaining why you are qualified for this position, why you believe in the mission of Mercatus, what distinguishes you from others and your salary requirements
- Resume
Applications should be submitted to Talent Market via this link: talentmarket.org/apply-for-your-dream-job/.
Questions can be directed to Katy Gambella, Director of Outreach at Talent Market, who is managing the search process: [email protected].
There is no application deadline for this position. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.This job will remain posted on our site until it is filled.
While we thank all applicants in advance for their interest in this position, we are only able to contact those to whom we can offer an interview. Only direct applications will be considered. No phone calls, please.
Talent Market is a nonprofit entity dedicated to promoting liberty by helping free-market nonprofits identify talent for critical roles. We provide consulting and recruiting services at no cost to 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations that clearly and directly focus on advancing the principles of economic freedom, free enterprise, free trade, free speech, property rights, rule of law, and limited regulation.