Government Relations Specialist

The Manufacturers Association of Central New York (MACNY) seeks a Government Relations Specialist. This position is for a government, legislative, policy, or advocacy professional ready to take the next step – moving beyond supporting individual issues to developing expertise, building relationships, and helping shape a comprehensive advocacy program on behalf of New York manufacturers. The Government Relations Specialist will monitor and analyze public policy, develop written advocacy materials, build relationships with elected officials and their staff, and engage MACNY members in the policymaking process.

• Monitor and analyze New York State legislation, regulations, budget proposals, agency actions, and emerging policy issues to assess their potential impact on manufacturers, their employees, investment, and economic growth.
• Use economic, workforce, tax, energy, healthcare, regulatory, and other data to inform MACNY’s policy positions and strengthen its advocacy efforts.
• Draft support and opposition memoranda, policy briefs, comment letters, testimony, legislative correspondence, talking points, and other advocacy materials.
• Support grassroots advocacy efforts, including action alerts, member letters, testimony, and direct engagement with policymakers.
• Develop and maintain strong working relationships with New York State elected officials, legislative staff, state agencies, and other government stakeholders.
• Help expand MACNY’s presence in Albany through legislative meetings, hearings, advocacy activities, and other opportunities.
• Engage regularly with MACNY members to identify policy concerns and understand how government decisions affect their businesses and employees.
• Build a network of manufacturers willing to participate in meetings, provide testimony and data, share their stories, and advocate on priority issues.
• Create timely policy content for MACNY’s website, social media pages, newsletters, advocacy platform, and other member communications.
• Develop fact sheets, FAQs, talking points, and other resources that make public policy accessible and actionable for MACNY members.
• Use data and member stories to demonstrate the real-world impact of public policy on manufacturers and their employees.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Skills/Abilities:

• Strong research, analytical, and writing skills.
• Comfort working with data and using it to support policy analyses and advocacy.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with an interest in building relationships with policymakers, legislative staff, business leaders, and MACNY members.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-moving environment.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in political science, public policy, or a similar field of study.
• Two to five years of experience in government, public policy, advocacy, government relations, a legislative office, an association, a political campaign, or a related environment.
• Strong state experience working with New York State government and the legislative processes.

Physical Requirements:

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times.
• Up to 15% of travel with the ability to travel to Albany and other regional locations as needed.
• Must have a valid driver’s license with reliable transportation for frequent community outreach and engagements within New York State.
• Completion of a satisfactory background check will be required.

https://www.macny.org/

The Manufacturers Association of Central New York (MACNY) is a not-for-profit 501(c)(6) association representing over 300 businesses and organizations across Central and Upstate New York. About three-quarters of MACNY’s members are industrial companies with the remaining members consisting of accounting firms, insurance agencies, law firms, financial institutions, and other service providers that support manufacturers.

MACNY members supply the region, nation, and world with a variety of products and services. Distributed across 26 counties in Central and Upstate New York, MACNY’s member companies employ over 50,000 workers.

For members and the community, MACNY’s staff provides a wide range of services, including training and leadership development, networking events, workforce development, human resources services, advocacy, energy and purchasing solutions, and organizational growth services and consulting. This portfolio is designed to provide members with the tools, information, people, and resources they need to compete in the global market.

MACNY employment practices and procedures and conditions of employment are administered without discrimination on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, marital status, national origin, ancestry, genetic characteristics, medical conditions, status as a victim of domestic violence, veteran status, special disabled veteran or disability, or non-job-related felony conviction record (or any other legally protected status) including, but not limited to, recruiting, hiring, promotion, training, compensation, benefits, retention and termination in accordance with applicable federal laws.