AT&T Hiring for Government Affairs & Policy Advisor (Education) (FirstNet) Job at Washington, DC Full Time

Government Affairs & Policy Advisor Position Overview:

AT&T Public Sector, on the FirstNet & Education Market Development team, has an immediate job opening for a government affairs & policy advisor to support government affairs projects and business development. Past experience working on telecom public policy is required, with a minimum of 3 – 5 years working on Capitol Hill in the U.S. Senate or U.S. House of Representatives as a congressional staff member or in a federal government relations/liaison role.

Government Affairs & Policy Advisor Responsibilities:

• The policy advisor is responsible for establishing and executing a strategic and well-organized government relations approach to address the policy and programmatic priorities of the AT&T Public Sector organization, with a focus on the FirstNet and Education business units.
• The policy advisor will lead efforts to protect, promote, and advance the strategic objectives of the AT&T Public Sector organization within Congress, the White House, Federal Communications Commission, other Executive Branch Agencies, and with Tribal, State, and Local governments.
• Projects are developed in close coordination with the AT&T FirstNet and AT&T Education leadership team, client executives, and marketing and technology/product teams
• Projects are executed in close coordination and with the support of the AT&T external and legislative affairs organization
• The policy advisor will expand government stakeholders’ (i.e. Congress, White House, Federal agencies, and Tribal/State/Local governments) understanding of FirstNet as the nationwide public safety broadband network and AT&T’s connectivity solutions for K-12 and Higher Education
• Build thought leader/subject matter expert (SME) relationships with policymakers and other decisionmakers
• Cultivate the internal processes, culture, and skills within client leadership and business development teams to increase user adoption and advance policy priorities.

Position Duties:

• Identify opportunities for Capitol Hill, Executive Branch, and Tribal/State/Local government engagement.
• Support AT&T external and legislative affairs organization to prepare for meetings with elected leaders and work with the FirstNet and Education business units to highlight use cases from the elected member’s state or district.
• This position has the primary coordination responsibility for congressional, state/tribal/local government, and federal agency meetings related to FirstNet and Education, including interface with the internal AT&T external and legislative affairs team, logistics for prep sessions and Capitol Hill visits, materials development and securing necessary leadership/legal approval. In addition, coordinate internal meetings and events to utilize and develop that capacity.
• Primary drafting responsibility for issue/program strategies, Capitol Hill-facing briefings, issue papers, talking points, and other writing assignments related to legislative hearings, with support from the sales, technology, marketing, legal, and external and legislative affairs team.
• Serve as a subject matter expert (SME) on federal grant programs, broadband stimulus programs, and the federal budget/appropriations process.
• Carefully monitor the evolving political, appropriations, and legislative landscapes and identify opportunities for business development to drive new sales adoption.
• Ensure monitoring, tracking, and information distribution of pertinent federal legislative and policy activities, including: relevant elements of President’s annual budget request; OMB activities and Executive Orders associated with Federal government technology modernization; Agency budget justification documents; Federal Agency rulemaking and policy proceedings; State and Tribal activities related to broadband stimulus programs; Congressional appropriation and authorization funding/provisions; and congressional hearings.
• Work collaboratively with cross-functional teams in the AT&T Public Sector organization on business development strategy and execution plans for federal, tribal, state, and local sales activities.
• Assist the FirstNet Tribal Affairs team with its outreach and engagement with Tribal public safety stakeholders, Tribal elected leaders, and Tribal associations.
• In coordination with AT&T Public Sector and the AT&T external and legislative affairs team, represent AT&T FirstNet and AT&T Education before industry groups and coalitions, where AT&T has membership, and work towards finding synergies and opportunities to collaborate, advance policy and programmatic priorities, and provide thought leadership.

Required Experience:

• Extensive experience working with Capitol Hill (3-5 Years Minimum)
• Knowledge of telecom and tech industry and telecom policy and regulatory matters
• Past experience managing stakeholder relationships with senior leadership and supporting meetings and briefing materials for elected officials and other leaders
• Strong written and oral communication skills and past public speaking experience
• Proven track-record executing on goals/strategy to advance legislative and policy priorities
• Bachelor’s Degree

Desired Experience:

• Past experience working with State Governors and Tribal Leaders, as well as the groups and associations that represent State, Tribal, and Local government interests
• Knowledge and past professional experience related to public safety communications and FirstNet, the Nationwide Public Safety Broadband Network
• Past experience working on Education technology-related policy, programs, funding, with a track-record of engagement with K-12 and Higher Education stakeholders
• Master’s Degree in Public Policy, Public Administration, Masters in Business Administration, or a related field