Associate/Senior Associate, Government Affairs

Position: Associate/Senior Associate - Government Affairs

Reports to: Chief Government Affairs Officer

Location: DC-Metro Area; domestic travel required

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.

State & Federal Engagement Support (20%)

• 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 to detail.
• Experience preparing written materials such as memos, briefs, or summaries.
• Strong writing, research, and communication abilities.
• Understanding of state or federal legislative processes.
• Professionalism, discretion, and sound judgment.
• Willingness to travel occasionally for events, meetings, and conferences.

Preferred

• Hill, committee, agency, or state legislative office experience.
• Familiarity with veterans’ issues, military families, workforce development, or human services.
• Experience supporting advocacy campaigns or coalitions.
• Military service or connection to the military community.

COMPETENCIES

• Highly organized and dependable, with exceptional attention to detail.
• Delivers consistent, high-quality execution with strong follow-through.
• Professional, collaborative, and low-ego in team environments.
• Able to handle both operational and policy-focused work with equal competence.
• Politically aware and confident in government and stakeholder settings.
• Adaptable, resourceful, and steady in fast-paced or shifting situations.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

• Salary: $75,000-$85,000
• Performance bonus potential up to 10% of base salary
• Comprehensive benefits package including:
• Unlimited PTO
• Generous company holiday schedule (28-32 paid days off per year)
• Maternity/Paternity Leave
• Professional development opportunities
• 100% company-paid health benefits for employees and 50% for dependents
• Matching 401k contributions up to 3%
• Flexible work environment with DC office presence required

APPLY: Please submit the following to administrator@combinedarms.us

• Resume
• Responses to any two of the following questions (no more than 5 sentences each):
• Describe a concrete experience engaging with a state or federal government stakeholder. Walk me through how you prepared for the meeting, what you did during and after the engagement, and what the outcome was.
• Share one government affairs accomplishment you directly led or supported that best reflects your skill set. What was your role and what impact did it have?
• Most people have a ‘rule’ they follow at work that isn’t written anywhere. What’s one of yours, and where did it come from?
• Optional: Upload a previously created policy memo, briefing note, talking points, or legislative summary.