External Affairs Manager

External Affairs Manager

The Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF), the world's leading think tank for science and technology policy, is seeking an External Affairs Manager to build and strengthen ITIF's relationships with the broader community of people and organizations engaged in technology and economic policy.

This is a highly hands-on role for someone who enjoys meeting people, building relationships, and turning those relationships into meaningful engagement with ITIF. The External Affairs Manager will spend substantial time identifying and meeting with academics, think tank leaders and experts, business and industry representatives, civil society organizations, policymakers, journalists, and other stakeholders who can engage effectively with ITIF.

The ideal candidate is an energetic, resourceful, and highly organized self-starter who is comfortable reaching out to people they do not know, picking up the phone, arranging meetings, following up consistently, and developing relationships over time. This person should be able to quickly understand ITIF's research and identify the people and organizations who should know about it, engage with it, and potentially work with ITIF to advance shared policy goals.

The External Affairs Manager will also help build and run ITIF initiatives, including coalitions, working groups, and other collaborative projects. This includes recruiting participants, organizing meetings, coordinating with ITIF researchers and leadership, and ensuring that external relationships translate into sustained engagement and useful outcomes for ITIF.

This is not a communications position or a traditional government affairs role. The focus is on building ITIF's broader network of external relationships and creating opportunities for people and organizations to engage meaningfully with ITIF's research, policy ideas, and initiatives. The role works in partnership with the Public Policy team on engagement with government stakeholders, while focusing primarily on relationships beyond ITIF's traditional government affairs work.

Reporting to ITIF's Executive Vice President for Strategic Partnerships, the External Affairs Manager will work closely with ITIF's research, communications, public policy, government affairs, and leadership teams to identify potential partners and audiences, develop relationships, and connect ITIF's work with the people and organizations best positioned to engage with it. This is a full-time position in Washington, DC. The salary for this position is $60,000 - $80,000, depending on experience. ITIF also provides a health and retirement benefits package, generous paid vacation, an annual performance-based bonus, and a public transportation benefit.

Essential Responsibilities

• Build and maintain a broad network of relationships with individuals and organizations across academia, think tanks, business and industry, civil society, government, media, and other relevant communities.
• Identify and prioritize individuals and organizations that should be engaged with ITIF's research, policy agenda, coalitions, and other initiatives, and develop a pipeline of prospective relationships.
• Conduct frequent outreach and meetings with prospective partners and stakeholders, using research, referrals, events, and other channels to initiate relationships and develop them into meaningful engagement with ITIF.
• Follow up consistently with new and existing contacts to deepen relationships, identify opportunities for collaboration, and turn initial interactions into sustained engagement.
• Connect external stakeholders with ITIF researchers and leadership based on areas of shared interest, expertise, or policy engagement.
• Recruit academics, experts, organizations, businesses, policymakers, and other stakeholders to participate in ITIF events, working groups, coalitions, and other initiatives.
• Help build, manage, and expand ITIF coalitions, working groups, and other external initiatives, including identifying prospective participants, organizing meetings, coordinating communications, and maintaining engagement.
• Help develop and execute strategies for turning individual meetings and introductions into sustained relationships, partnerships, and opportunities for collaboration.
• Work with ITIF researchers to identify relevant external audiences and opportunities to put research in front of people who can use, amplify, or engage with it.
• Organize and execute roundtables, working group meetings, salons, briefings, stakeholder meetings, and other public and private events.
• Monitor developments across relevant policy communities and identify people, organizations, and opportunities that could advance ITIF's research and policy objectives.
• Maintain accurate and timely records of contacts, meetings, relationships, follow-up, and next steps in ITIF's CRM.
• Follow up consistently with external contacts and ensure that meetings and introductions lead to continued engagement where appropriate.
• Work collaboratively with ITIF's research, communications, and leadership teams to advance organizational priorities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in public policy, political science, communications, business, economics, international relations, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
• At least three years of relevant professional experience in external affairs, public policy, government affairs, nonprofit organizations, think tanks, business, academia, or a similar field.
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain professional relationships with a diverse range of external stakeholders.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to establish rapport quickly, communicate complex ideas clearly, and represent ITIF credibly with senior external audiences.
• Highly proactive and comfortable initiating contact with people who are not already familiar with ITIF.
• Demonstrated ability to turn initial introductions into sustained professional relationships.
• Highly organized, resourceful, and able to manage multiple relationships, initiatives, and deadlines simultaneously.
• Strong follow-through and attention to detail, including maintaining accurate records and ensuring timely follow-up.
• Ability to work independently, identify opportunities without extensive direction, and take responsibility for moving projects and relationships forward.
• Ability to quickly understand research on complex technology, innovation, economic, and public policy issues and identify relevant external audiences.
• Strong interest in technology, innovation, economic policy, science policy, or related issues.
• Ability to work collaboratively with researchers, communications staff, public policy staff, and senior leadership.
• Willingness to spend substantial time in external meetings and at events.
• Willingness to work occasional irregular hours, including early mornings and evenings, for ITIF events and other engagements.

Application Process

• Cover letter explaining your interest in the position and relevant qualifications (1 page maximum).
• Resume (2 pages maximum).