OpsWatch Grants Consulting Senior Associate

OPSWATCH GRANTS CONSULTING SENIOR ASSOCIATE

WASHINGTON, D.C. OFFICE

ABOUT THE FIRM

Cornerstone Government Affairs, Inc. (Cornerstone) is a full-service, bipartisan consulting firm specializing in federal and state government relations, public affairs and strategic communications, and advisory services. Utilizing a shared vision, philosophy, and complete team approach, Cornerstone - with offices in 15 states and Washington DC and over 200 professionals - stands as one of the industry's most effective and respected consulting firms. We are proud of our professional standards and team culture that provide clients with the full depth and breadth of our expertise, experience, and relationships, resulting in meaningful and highly valuable partnerships.

Cornerstone's OpsWatch offering is a strategic grant consulting and advisory service. The goal of the OpsWatch team is to help clients understand, adapt to, and position themselves within the complex and evolving landscape of federal agency funding activities. The team continuously monitors grant opportunities, meeting notices, and agency activities with an eye towards client priorities. Additionally, the OpsWatch team works closely with the federal government relations team to analyze legislative measures and appropriations bills to inform recommendations for clients' holistic federal funding strategy. The team also performs a wide variety of grant-related services as requested by clients and Cornerstone staff, including reviewing grant applications, analyzing funding opportunities, and monitoring the distribution of funding from federal programs.

SUMMARY/OBJECTIVE

Cornerstone seeks a full-time Senior Associate to support our OpsWatch team. This position is based in Washington, DC and responsible for several client service tasks including, but not limited to:

• Preparing weekly reports of relevant federal opportunities for clients.
• Assisting the OpsWatch team in advising clients on their federal funding strategies.
• Responding to inquiries from Cornerstone staff related to federal funding.
• Analyzing legislative measures and policy developments.
• Conducting research, policy analysis and drafting related memos or other written products.
• Reviewing grant applications and aligning them with applicable Notice(s) of Funding Opportunity requirements and Administration priorities.
• Assisting with other grants-related tasks as assigned.

COMPETENCIES

The ideal candidate for this position is reliable, a skilled multi-tasker and committed to consistently meeting deadlines. Key qualities for candidates in this position include:

• Proactiveness: Works independently in a busy environment;
• Willingness to learn: While serving as a resource for the firm on grants-related questions, delves into individual client questions with a detail-oriented mindset;
• Dependability: Arrives to work on time, follows instructions, high attention to detail, responds promptly, and solicits feedback to improve performance;
• Adaptability: Able to adapt to changes in the work environment on a day-to-day basis, comfortable with ambiguity, and manages relationships with multiple client service professionals in the office;
• Time Management: Thrives in a fast-paced environment and is able to manage competing priorities;
• Communication: Possesses strong written and verbal communication skills;
• Teamwork: Able to work within a small team, is approachable, and willing to help others.

KEY REQUIREMENTS

The ideal candidate for this position is someone who has:

• A bachelor's degree and 1-3 years of full time or internship experience relating to the monitoring, implementation, or pursuit of grant funding in either the public, private, or non-profit sectors.
• A familiarity with executive branch agency activity, especially related to federal grants and the implementation of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, appropriations bills, or the CHIPS and Science Act.
• A familiarity with legislative branch activity, especially related to appropriations.
• Excellent writing, organizational, and communication skills.
• A basic understanding of government relations and a bachelor's degree or relevant work experience in a related field.
• Ability to prioritize competing tasks, work with minimal supervision, work well under pressure, and anticipate schedule demands to meet deadlines.

BENEFITS

Base salary for this position shall be based on experience and level of education and range from $70,000 to $90,000. Employees are eligible for annual performance-based bonuses as well as full coverage of medical, dental, vision, life, and long-term disability insurance premiums. In addition, employees are eligible to receive a 401(k) employer match and shares in the firm's employee stock ownership plan upon entering the plan. Employees are eligible for paid time off and additional fringe benefits to perform their job duties (e.g., parking, cell phone coverage).