Manager of Government Relations

Manager of Government Relations

Deadline: August 2, 2026

District/Organization: Michigan Association of Administrators of Special Education

Position/Type: Other, full time

Salary: Salary: $56,000 to $109,000, commensurate with experience.

Position Details

Position Summary

The Michigan Association of Administrators of Special Education (MAASE) is seeking a collaborative, mission-driven Manager of Government Relations to support and advance the organization's state and federal advocacy efforts on behalf of special education leaders and students. This is a new position.

This position works closely with the Executive Director, association leadership, volunteer committees, members, contract lobbyists, and advocacy partners to coordinate legislative strategy, policy analysis, communications, relationship-building, and member engagement.

The Manager of Government Relations will help expand MAASE's advocacy capacity by monitoring policy developments, translating complex information into clear and useful resources, coordinating advocacy activities, and strengthening relationships with policymakers and education partners.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Policy and Legislative Support

• Monitor state and federal legislation, regulations, budgets, and education policy developments.
• Analyze proposed legislation and policy changes and communicate their implications for special education leaders.
• Draft legislative summaries, policy briefs, testimony, position statements, and advocacy materials.
• Support legislative hearings, advocacy campaigns, and meetings with policymakers.
• Attend legislative committee meetings, hearings, State Board of Education meetings, and other public meetings.
• Monitor national policy developments and communicate relevant updates to association leadership and members.

Advocacy Coordination

• Coordinate and support MAASE's Advocacy Committee and related workgroups.
• Prepare meeting agendas, materials, notes, and follow-up action items.
• Coordinate legislative visits, advocacy events, coalition activities, and the Special Education Legislative Summit in Washington, D.C. (annually)
• Support the implementation of advocacy campaigns and grassroots engagement opportunities.
• Develop systems and processes that strengthen MAASE's ongoing advocacy efforts.

Member and Board Communications

• Develop legislative updates and advocacy communications for members, board members, and staff.
• Translate complex legislative information into clear, actionable summaries.
• Assist with conference sessions, presentations, webinars, newsletters, and advocacy resources.
• Prepare talking points, presentations, and briefing materials for organizational leaders.
• Collaborate with communications staff to ensure advocacy messaging is timely, accurate, and consistent across platforms.

Relationship Management

• Collaborate closely with MAASE's contract lobbyist and advocacy partners.
• Build and maintain positive relationships with legislators, legislative staff, education organizations, coalition partners, and state agencies.
• Represent MAASE professionally in meetings, hearings, coalition activities, and public events.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen partnerships and expand MAASE's advocacy influence.

Strategic and Organizational Support

• Support implementation of MAASE's legislative platform and annual advocacy priorities.
• Track progress toward advocacy goals and prepare reports for leadership and the Board of Directors.
• Manage multiple projects, deadlines, and priorities using Asana and other organizational tools.
• Participate in staff meetings, planning sessions, professional development, conferences, and organizational events.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in public policy, political science, education, communications, public administration, nonprofit management, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
• Two or more years of experience in education policy, government relations, public affairs, nonprofit advocacy, legislative work, or association management.
• Strong written, verbal, research, and analytical skills.
• Ability to synthesize complex policy information into clear, accessible communications.
• Experience coordinating committees, stakeholder groups, meetings, or advocacy initiatives.
• Strong organizational and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities independently.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to build productive professional relationships.
• Ability to travel throughout Michigan and occasionally nationally.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with legislative bodies, government agencies, or elected officials.
• Familiarity with Michigan education policy and special education.
• Experience drafting testimony, legislative analyses, policy briefs, or advocacy communications.
• Experience with grassroots advocacy, coalition work, or member engagement.
• Experience working for a nonprofit association, education organization, or government relations office.
• Experience using Asana, Google Workspace, and advocacy or legislative tracking platforms.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

The successful candidate will demonstrate:

• A passion for public education and improving outcomes for students with disabilities.
• The ability to remain nonpartisan while effectively advancing organizational priorities.
• Strong critical thinking, diplomacy, and relationship-building skills.
• Confidence communicating with policymakers, members, partners, and organizational leaders.
• Initiative, professionalism, and sound judgment.
• The ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment with changing priorities.

Work Environment

• Hybrid position with a primary work location at MAASE's Lansing office during the Michigan legislative session.
• When the Legislature is in session, regular in-person attendance in Lansing is expected to support legislative meetings, hearings, coalition activities, and relationship-building opportunities.
• During periods when the Legislature is not in session, the position may work remotely with periodic in-person meetings and travel as organizational needs require.
• Regular travel throughout Michigan and occasional national travel are required.

Compensation

Salary: $56,000 to $109,000, commensurate with experience.

Employment Type: Full-time, 40 hours per week (W-2)

Work Schedule

• This position generally follows an eight-hour workday; however, work hours are driven by the legislative calendar and organizational priorities rather than a fixed daily schedule.
• While many legislative meetings begin around 9:00 a.m., some internal MAASE meetings may begin as early as 8:00 a.m.
• Evening committee meetings, legislative receptions, networking events, and occasional dinners are a regular part of the advocacy process and require schedule flexibility.
• The position is expected to adjust work hours as needed to accommodate legislative hearings, meetings, travel, and advocacy events while maintaining a full-time work schedule.

Benefits Package

MAASE offers a competitive and supportive benefits package, including:

Paid Time Off

• 27 vacation days annually
• 11 paid holidays
• 12 sick days
• 2 personal days

Retirement

• Access to a 401(k) with an employer contribution

Insurance Benefits

• Access to health, dental, and vision insurance

Professional Development

• Annual professional development funds to support staff learning, training, and growth.
• Opportunities to attend state and national conferences, policy events, and leadership development activities.

Technology & Remote Work Support

• MAASE-provided technology for home office use (laptop and peripherals)
• Remote work setup support
• Access to Google Workspace, Asana, Zoom, and other organizational tools

Mileage & Travel Reimbursement

• Federal mileage reimbursement for approved travel.
• Lansing parking fees covered.
• Reimbursement for approved in-state and national travel in accordance with MAASE policies.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

MAASE is an equal opportunity employer committed to building a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and experiences, including those historically underrepresented in nonprofit, association, education, and public policy leadership.

Application Process

Apply to Angel Davis at angeldavis@maase.org and include:

• Cover letter
• Resume
• 3 professional references
• One professional writing sample (policy brief, legislative summary, testimony, advocacy communication, or similar work product)

All applications must be submitted by August 1st at 11:59 p.m.

Reasonable Accommodation Statement

If you require reasonable accommodation to complete a job application, pre-employment testing, or a job interview, or to otherwise participate in the hiring process, please contact Angel Davis at angeldavis@maase.org or 517-618-9593.

E-mail: angeldavis@maase.org

Website: Link

Attachments: Job-Description_-Manager-of-Government-Relations-3.pdf

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