Government Affairs Manager

For a full job description and instructions on how to apply using another platform, go to the Careers page on MFHC.org. Resume and cover letter, that addresses specific points, are required. Deadline to apply is Monday, June 30, 2025, 5PM.

Missouri Family Health Council champions the freedom to access sexual and reproductive healthcare—no matter who you are or where you live. Through programs like Title X, Free EC, and The Right Time, we partner with providers, support communities, and advocate for policies that protect care and expand rights. We ensure that everyone can get the care they need, without shame, judgment, or obstacles. Simply put, we do hard work and we do it well.

POSITION SUMMARY

As a member of the Programs team, the Government Affairs Manager is responsible for ensuring a functional connection between MFHC’s policy priorities and relevant local, state, and, occasionally, national policy and regulatory work, legislative advocacy, and lobbying, serving as a trustworthy resource to elected officials and their staff on issues related to sexual and reproductive health, rights, and justice. They work in close collaboration with other members of the MFHC team and other health- and equity-focused coalition members and community partners in order to defend against legislative attacks to sexual and reproductive health, rights, and justice, and pave the way toward implementation of proactive policies that move us closer to the vision that everyone has access to healthcare without shame, judgement, or obstacles.

WHAT YOU DO

The core of this role is developing and implementing legislative strategies to achieve MFHC’s policy priorities on the local, state, and federal levels. This includes a focus on:

Policy and Legislative Strategies

● Establish MFHC’s priorities in conjunction with MFHC’s Policy and Advocacy workgroup.

● In conjunction with the Advocacy Manager, design power-building strategies that activate MFHC’s base to effectively influence policymakers, including incorporating story-telling and person-level impact into the policy process.

● Effectively lobby policymakers to build support for MFHC’s policy priorities, provide written and verbal testimony, and prepare other advocates to testify on behalf of MFHC.

● Maintain an effective in-Capitol presence in order to support MFHC’s policy priorities.

● Inform strategies for institutional and local municipal changes to policy and practice to support MFHC’s mission in collaboration with the broader Programs department.

Relationship Building

● Build bipartisan champions to support MFHC’s proactive policy agenda.

● Serve as a trusted resource for accurate, clear, relevant information related to sexual and reproductive healthcare and provision to policymakers, state department leaders, and their staff.

● Create and maintain effective, supportive relationships with coalition partners and other stakeholders, focusing on finding common ground on which to advance policy priorities.

Analyze and Communicate Policy Details

● Supported by the Policy Analyst, read, understand, and monitor key policies moving through the legislative process and effectively communicate the impact (or potential impact) to relevant stakeholders, including MFHC staff and board, clinics, volunteers, and community partners.

● Draft suggested policy language and priorities for proactive bills and effectively share with relevant stakeholders.

● Provide clear, concise, and actionable summaries of legislative happenings with the goal of strategically mobilizing appropriate stakeholders toward power-building and legislative efficacy.

Power Building

● In conjunction with the Advocacy Manager and other key stakeholders, support in-Capitol activities like lobby days, legislative visits, and other actions to build and demonstrate community power.

● Facilitate an effective and compelling connection between policymakers and their constituents within the MFHC network, including through in-district visits and clinic tours.

● Occasionally conduct outreach and/or presentations to build MFHC’s stakeholder network to better achieve our shared policy priorities.

WHO YOU ARE AND KEYS TO SUCCESS (the must-haves)

To be successful in this job, the following are crucial skills and abilities:

Demonstrated organizing and power-building ability, ideally in a hostile political/policy environment: At least three years of experience implementing organizing and power-building strategies to move stakeholders to action. Understands how to organize power to influence decision-makers.

Creative, resourceful, resilient, and responsive: Proposes solutions to issues without much guidance (but isn’t afraid to ask questions). Proactively asks for help, anticipates problems, plans, and course-corrects where needed to get to the finish line. Must be able to thrive in an ever-changing environment, shifting priorities due to external factors, and make sound decisions in the face of ambiguity.

Relationship builder: Enthusiasm for meeting and engaging with new and existing partners, community members and our network of providers. Listens closely to understand needs or concerns and takes steps based on that input. Responds to people in a timely manner. Provides clear, helpful, accurate information.

Clear and motivating communicator: Speaks clearly on behalf of the organization. Ability to take complex policy issues and, through various mediums, distill the information into compelling and motivational communications that mobilize people into action.

Additional Duties/Responsibilities

● Attend events, conferences, trainings, and meetings on behalf of MFHC, including tabling/outreach, as needed.

● Promote MFHC’s programs with passion and appropriate knowledge with partners/stakeholders.

● Other duties as assigned that support MFHC in meeting its mission.

The following are plusses, but are not requirements:

Experience in healthcare and/or family planning policy and/or administration.

● Legislative experience in a hostile policy environment.

● Experience applying health equity principles and values throughout work.

● Strong technical, policy, legislative, and/or legal writer.

● Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite, Google Drive, and related software.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $75,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Professional development assistance
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Evenings as needed
• Monday to Friday
• Weekends as needed

People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Jefferson City, MO 65109