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Director of Government Affairs – Washington, D.C.
Full-Time Staff Writer – Washington, D.C.
Online Consultant – Washington, D.C., NYC, or Boston
Online Associate – Washington, D.C., NYC, or Boston
Intern, Government Affairs – Washington, D.C.

 
M+R Strategic Services provides quality, results-oriented public relations, grassroots, and governmental affairs services to national and international nonprofits. Our reputation for combining passion for the issues we’re involved in, a genuine commitment to our clients, and a professional ability to get results has put M+R Strategic Services at the top of our field.

M+R Strategic Services, an advocacy firm specializing in progressive nonprofit clients, seeks a Director of Government Affairs. At M+R, we’re dedicated to helping nonprofits and corporations whose concerns place them on the side of the broad public interest.

Position Summary
The Director of Government Affairs leads our Government Affairs team in designing and implementing successful campaigns created to move public policy on behalf of our clients. You’ll work on some of the most important issues of the day, with leading nonprofit organizations such as the Save Darfur Coalition, AARP, SEIU, Easter Seals, Oxfam America and Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following:

• Legislative and political analysis. Conduct analysis of specific legislation, executive orders, state and federal budgets and other policies as needed.
• Develop government relations strategies.
• Work with M+R clients at federal and state levels to develop their overarching government relations strategies.
• Build and maintain relationships. Create and maintain strong relationships with congressional offices, staff and other relevant decision makers.
• Monitor policy. Monitor, analyze and report on the federal budget and appropriations activities, as well as other legislative and political developments.
• Develop policy papers or testimony. As needed, draft congressional testimony or other supporting documents on behalf of our clients.
• Staff and contractor supervision. Oversee the operations of the Government Affairs Division, including senior project team members, junior staff and contractors.
• Build coalitions. Work closely with our clients to identify potential coalition partners, conduct or supervise outreach to potential coalition members and secure their support.
• Manage interdisciplinary campaigns. Develop and manage issue-specific campaigns designed to move public policy using a mix of strategies ranging from lobbying to grassroots to online advocacy, working in close coordination with other M+R divisions.
• Account oversight. Serve as a strategic director for 3-5 individual clients, providing strategic direction to the client and overseeing M+R’s account team on each client.
• New client acquisition. Contribute to firm marketing and business development, including identifying and securing new clients.

• Strong track record of direct legislative experience at both the state and federal levels.
  
• First-hand knowledge and a strong understanding of the intersections among issue campaigns, policy development, lobbying and campaigns, as well as previous experience building and working with coalitions.
  
• Exceptional skills in writing, researching and editing are vital, as is a strong commitment to and demonstrated interest in political and social change.
  
• An interest and understanding of health, education, environment, human rights, and/or other important public interest causes is important.
  
• Excellent project and people management skills.
  
• Experience in marketing and business development.
  

• Salary based upon experience
  
• Professional development opportunities
  
• 3 weeks paid vacation
  
• Medical, dental and vision benefits
  
• 401K plan
  

M+R Strategic Services is looking for an energetic, self-motivated full-time writer to join the firm in Washington, DC. You’ll become an integral part of the team at M+R, working closely with all of our campaign departments to produce concise, compelling copy in a short amount of time and put your creativity to use on behalf of M+R and our nonprofit clients.

Job Responsibilities

• Work with M+R’s division directors to write top-notch proposals for prospective clients, ensuring the highest level of creativity and quality!
  
• Steer the proposal process, often working with multiple staff from around M+R to meet tight deadlines.
  
• Write and/or edit other written materials as needed, paying close attention to clarity, grammar and style.
  
• Write M+R’s bi-monthly e-Newsletter, as well as draft copy for M+R’s website and Facebook page.
  
• Serve as M+R’s go-to-writer, drafting compelling emails, media materials, and other written goods for various M+R clients.
  

• Minimum 1-2 years professional experience.
  
• Prior professional writing experience a must.
  
• Eye for detail and comprehensive knowledge of A.P. Stylebook.
  
• Able to work independently and coordinate multiple projects simultaneously.
  
• Interest in public policy; experience in advocacy or activism preferred.
  
• Deadline driven.
  
• Good communication skills and follow through.
  
• Excellent time management skills.
  
• Degree in journalism, communications, public policy, related fields.
  
• Good eye for design and formatting.
  

Online Consultant

M+R Strategic Services is looking for a Consultant to join our team of Internet experts to work on successful, cutting-edge online campaigns. You’ll be an integral part of the eCampaigns Team at M+R, working with progressive, public-interest nonprofit organizations to recruit online activists, influence public policy, raise money online, and deepen relationships with online supporters. You’ll work with some of the best nonprofit causes of the day – protecting the environment with The Wilderness Society, establishing equality with Human Rights Campaign, fighting global poverty with Oxfam America and ending breast cancer with Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

Job Responsibilities

• Strategy & Planning: Develop overall online strategies for clients and write long and short-term plans for the implementation.
  
• Client Management: Serve as a point of contact for 3-4 nonprofit clients, managing the day-to-day relationship with those clients and managing the internal team serving those clients.
  
• Project Management: Manage a team of specialists and vendors through development and marketing projects from start to finish. Examples include microsite development, viral video development and social media application development.
  
• Message & Content Development: Develop and write email and website copy that will be used to promote our clients online, reinforce the client’s core brand, and also synchronize with the offline campaigning efforts.
  
• Online Marketing: Coordinate advertising campaigns and implement other marketing efforts such as search engine registration, DotCom partnerships, cross promotions etc.
  
• Database Management: Manage databases of online activists to ensure that data is kept current and to maximize return rates from online activism and fundraising appeals.
  
• Campaign Optimization: Develop testing strategies, implement statistical testing and provide strategic insight on results.
  
• Technology Management: Work with clients to manage their technology providers (ASPs,) such as Convio and Kintera, and offer advice on other technology solutions.
  
• Staff Supervision: Manage 1-3 online staff, supervising their day-to-day activities, overall workload, and helping them grow their skill set.
  
• New Client Acquisition: Identify prospective clients, make phone and in-person pitches, participate in pitch meetings with other M+R staff.
  

Qualifications
We’re looking for someone who wants to work in a team and who enjoys the dynamic of a fast-paced organization where we juggle multiple projects on tight deadlines simultaneously without dropping the ball. We need a smart, talented, ambitious individual who can do it all and is committed to making a difference.

Successful applicants must be detail-oriented, possess strong analytical skills, have experience managing multiple projects at once, communicate effectively both on paper and in person, and be comfortable adapting to new technologies.

5+ years of online advocacy and online fundraising experience for non-profits or political candidates is required. Agency experience is preferred.

Location
The position will be based in our New York City, Boston, or Washington, DC offices. The NYC office is located in downtown Manhattan near many subway lines. The DC office is located near the Foggy Bottom Metro Station.

To Apply
Please send your resume and cover letter detailing your work with the responsibilities outlined above to jobs@mrss.com with the subject line “Online Consultant” and your preferred location.

No calls please. Send to: jobs@mrss.com. M+R will only contact candidates to schedule an interview.

M+R Strategic Services is looking for an Associate to join our team of Internet experts to work on successful, cutting-edge online campaigns. You’ll be an integral part of the eCampaigns Team at M+R, working with progressive, public-interest nonprofit organizations to recruit online activists, influence public policy, raise money online, and deepen relationships with online supporters. You’ll work with some of the best nonprofit causes of the day – protecting the environment with The Wilderness Society, establishing equality with Human Rights Campaign, fighting global poverty with Oxfam America and ending breast cancer with Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

Job Responsibilities

• Participate in a team to create and implement effective Internet campaigns for progressive non-profit clients;
  
• Manage technology needed to set up and manage online communications;
  
• Manage online and traditional media communications campaigns;
  
• Draft action alerts, fundraising appeals, and other creative materials;
  
• Run queries and create monthly client reports to track email messaging, advocacy campaigns, membership recruitment, and return on investment;
  
• Manipulate and manage data and help draft memos on campaign results;
  
• Assist in managing online paid marketing campaigns;
  
• Assist in implementation of marketing initiatives; and
  
• Other client management backup as necessary.

• Attention to detail and strong organizational skills;
  
• Ability to manage multiple projects is essential.
  
• A resourceful self-starter who can take initiative and follow through on projects;
  
• Thorough knowledge of web applications and HTML;
  
• Skills in Excel and/or Access;
  
• Excellent oral and written communications skills; and
  
• Demonstrated interest in and passion for important causes.

Intern, Government Affairs

M+R Strategic Services is an advocacy firm specializing in progressive nonprofit clients. At M+R, we’re dedicated to helping nonprofits and corporations whose concerns place them on the side of the broad public interest. Our divisions specialize in campaign planning and execution, online advocacy, online fundraising, government affairs, communications, field organizing, and activist training. We integrate these advocacy tools within a single firm, providing our clients with a pioneering approach to “full service” campaign planning and management.

The Government Affairs division focuses on congressional outreach and grassroots advocacy, working with a variety of organizations that include SEIU and Habitat for Humanity International. Currently, we are looking for a candidate with a strong academic background and a passion for policy to fill the role of Government Affairs Intern for Fall 2010.

• Assist with the planning and execution of advocacy strategy
  
• Conduct legislative analysis and research on pertinent issues
  
• Build and maintain grassroots relations on behalf of clients
  
• Conduct necessary research to assist with the development of new business presentations and strategy
  
• Assist with planning, coordination and implementation of special events
  
• Assist staff with various aspects of day-to-day operation
  
• Complete special projects and/or reports when assigned

• Proficiency in Lexis-Nexis, THOMAS, and/or other research databases
  
• Fluency in basic aspects of policy and an understanding of the legislative process
  
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word and PowerPoint
  
• Excellent verbal and writing skills
  
• Previous internship experience preferred

This part-time, unpaid internship is located in our Washington D.C. office. Credit is available. Interested applicants should submit resumes and cover letters to Ms. Ashley Smith at asmith@mrss.com with the subject line “Government Affairs Intern.”