Manager, Congressional Affairs
Association of American Railroads
Washington, DC
General Business
The Association of American Railroads (AAR), the world’s leading railroad policy, research, standard-setting, and technology organization, is focused on enhancing the safety and productivity of the U.S. freight rail industry.
The position works closely with the entire Government Affairs team, as well as with the Washington representatives of member companies. They will work to influence congressional consideration of legislation, consistent with the objectives of the Association, assist in Congressional hearing preparation, participate in political fundraisers, and will be a Registered lobbyist. They must possess an understanding of the inner workings of Congress and relevant federal agencies. The incumbent will also manage AAR’s participation across various coalitions with the aim of heading off harmful initiatives and supporting beneficial ones.
PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES
Lobbying:
- Building and maintaining relationships with Members of Congress, congressional staff, and relevant committees, including serving as a primary point of contact for certain legislative offices.
- Keep abreast of current and pending legislative issues as they relate to industry and provide strategic input on such issues.
- Attend and report on congressional hearings and briefings.
- Attend and participate in industry fundraisers.
- Develop and maintain relations with strategic partners and industry coalitions.
- Coordinate cross-functional input for advocacy campaigns, policy positions, and communications.
- Actively pursue expansion of job-related responsibilities, skills and knowledge, and demonstrate initiative whenever possible.
- Other duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS
Previous Capitol Hill, experience required; must possess an understanding of the inner workings of Congress and relevant federal agencies.
Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain close working relationships with congressional staff.
An equivalent combination of formal education, training, and experience is required:
- Bachelor's degree in Political Science or related discipline,
- Three years of legislative experience or specialized experience in managing and/or lobbying on issues at the highest level of the government.
Requires effective oral and written communication skills.
Analytical, organizational and time management skills.
Aptitude with Microsoft Office suite.
The ability to exercise professional judgment and maintain confidentiality..
About the company
Company website•Non-profit Organizations and Transportation/Trucking/Railroad
America's freight railroads operate the safest, most efficient, cost-effective and environmentally sound freight transportation system in the world — and at the Association of American Railroads (AAR) we are committed to keeping it that way.
Operating over a private, 140,000 mile network stretching across the far reaches of North America, AAR members include the major freight railroads in the United States, Canada and Mexico, as well as Amtrak. Working with elected officials and leaders in Washington, D.C. on critical transportation and related issues, AAR ensures that the freight rail industry will continue to meet America’s transportation needs today and tomorrow.
As the standard setting organization for North America's railroads, AAR is also focused on improving the safety and productivity of rail transportation. AAR helps advance these goals through its two subsidiaries, the Transportation Technology Center Inc.(TTCI) and the Railinc Corp. TTCI is the world's leading research, development and testing facility, and develops next-generation advancements in safety and operation efficiency. Railinc serves as the rail industry’s leading resource for rail data, information technology and information services, and uses one of the world's largest data networks to track customer shipments.
AAR also supports the Railroad Research Foundation (RRF), a world-class policy research organization dedicated to sustaining a safe, secure and technologically advanced rail network.