Associate​/Senior Associate, Government Affairs

Chief Government Affairs Officer, Combined Arms | McCain Institute Global Leader, Cohort 2025

Reports to: Chief Government Affairs Officer

Pay Range: $75,000-$85,000

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Associate/Senior Associate of Government Affairs provides essential operational, logistical, administrative, writing, and research support to the Chief Government Affairs Officer (CGAO) and Government Affairs team. This role ensures that state and federal engagement efforts run smoothly by managing background work, preparing materials, coordinating schedules, tracking legislative activity, and supporting external relationships.

While the CGAO focuses on strategy execution and high-level engagement, the Associate/Senior Associate plays a critical enabling role—ensuring meetings are prepared, follow‑through happens, research is completed, and the entire operation stays organized and on track.

This position offers meaningful opportunities for growth, including attending events, meetings, and policy briefings; representing Combined Arms in supportive capacities; and developing a deeper understanding of state and federal government affairs. It is not a purely desk‑bound role—there is room to get out, build relationships, and gain hands‑on experience while still handling key operational responsibilities.

This is an ideal role for an emerging government affairs professional with Hill or legislative experience who is detail‑oriented, eager to learn, and excited to support a mission‑driven national organization.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Administrative & Operational Support (35%)

• Manage scheduling, calendars, meeting logistics, and travel arrangements.
• Prepare briefing books, prep packets, agendas, and follow‑up documents.
• Maintain trackers, dashboards, databases, and legislative intelligence tools.
• Coordinate internal communications, task management, and deadline follow‑through.
• Draft summaries, notes, and reports to ensure organizational alignment.

Writing, Research & Policy Support (25%)

• Conduct research on legislation, state/federal programs, and policy issues.
• Draft memos, one‑pagers, talking points, and briefing materials.
• Prepare first‑draft policy analyses, legislative summaries, and internal reports.
• Assist with written materials for external stakeholders and partners.
• Support planning and logistics for meetings with state legislators, congressional offices, agency staff, and partner organizations.
• Attend hearings, briefings, and events for note‑taking, networking, and intelligence gathering (as delegated).
• Track legislative developments and prepare timely summaries.
• Assist with relationship management, including follow‑up communications and scheduling outreach.

Government Contracts, Grants & Partnerships Support (10%)

• Assist with research, document preparation, and coordination for government contracts, MOUs, and funding opportunities.
• Support cross‑functional collaboration with Growth, Technology, Development, and Programs teams.

Cross‑Functional Coordination & Internal Support (10%)

• Prepare the CGAO and Director for meetings through briefings, materials creation, and logistic coordination.
• Surface issues, opportunities, and risks proactively.
• Ensure alignment between internal teams and government affairs priorities.

GROWTH & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES

This role is intentionally designed to grow with the right candidate.

• Opportunities to travel for state and federal meetings, conferences, and events.
• Exposure to a broad network of government officials, coalitions, VSOs, and policy leaders.
• Increasing responsibility for external representation as competence and confidence grow.
• Mentorship from the Director and CGAO, with a pathway to mid‑level GA roles.
• Hands‑on participation in shaping initiatives that impact veterans, service members, and military families.

The intent is to provide a mix of substantive policy experience and foundational execution work to build a strong government affairs career.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

• 1–4 years (Associate) or 4+ (Senior Associate) of experience in government affairs, legislative work, public policy, or intergovernmental affairs.
• Strong organizational and administrative skills with excellent attention…