Government Relations Specialist in Mills River, North Carolina at MANNA FoodBank

Mission: MANNA’s mission is to involve, educate, and unite people in the work of ending hunger in Western North Carolina

Vision: A hunger-free Western North Carolina

MANNA embraces a philosophy that recognizes and values diversity by creating an environment of mutual respect, transparency, and sharing of different opinions and ideas. MANNA’s goal is to attract, develop, retain, and promote a talented and diverse workforce in a culture where all employees will contribute to their fullest potential. The celebration of inclusivity and diversity is essential to helping MANNA achieve its mission to involve, educate, and unite all people in the work of ending hunger in Western North Carolina.

Compensation: Salaried, Exempt. $71,585 - $79,539, based on experience, credentials, and education.

Schedule: Flexible schedule required, including some evenings and weekends as needed. Typical schedule is Mon. – Fri. 8a – 4p with evening and weekend hours as needed. In instances of a federal, state or locally declared emergency or order, MANNA FoodBank is typically considered an essential service and emergency responder; all employees may be called upon to perform regular or emergent duties.

Position Summary: MANNA FoodBank is seeking an experienced Government Relations Specialist to serve as the organization's primary liaison with local, state, and federal policymakers and government officials.

This is a highly relational position focused on building and sustaining strong, bipartisan relationships with elected officials and their staff, serving as a trusted resource on hunger and food security, and fostering meaningful partnerships that advance MANNA's mission. Through regular engagement, thoughtful communication, and firsthand experiences, the Government Relations Specialist will connect policymakers with MANNA's work, our partner agencies, and the lived experiences of our neighbors, building relationships that strengthen understanding and support for hunger relief across Western North Carolina.

The position also monitors legislative and regulatory developments affecting hunger relief and food security and ensures MANNA's priorities, expertise, and community impact are effectively communicated to government stakeholders. The Government Relations Specialist will represent MANNA in policy discussions; coordinate facility visits and community engagement opportunities for government officials and work closely with leadership to develop advocacy strategies that support the organization's mission.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Develop and maintain strong, bipartisan relationships with county commissioners, municipal officials, state legislators, congressional offices, and other government partners across the 16 counties served by MANNA.

• Serve as MANNA’s primary ambassador to elected officials and government agencies building long-term relationships rooted in trust, education, and collaboration.

• Develop and execute a year-round engagement strategy that keeps policymakers connected to MANNA’s mission through meetings, community events, and firsthand experiences, including warehouse tours, mobile distributions, partner agency visits, and volunteer opportunities.

• Brief leadership team regularly on legislative developments, potential impacts, and recommended organizational responses when appropriate

• Monitor and analyze the federal, state, and local legislative, regulatory, funding developments relevant to food security, hunger relief, assessing potential impact on MANNA, our partners and the communities we serve.

• Maintain a comprehensive policy engagement calendar tracking legislative sessions, key meetings, lobbying days, and critical policy-related events.

• Create and maintain systems to track advocacy, messaging and interactions with local, state, and federal officials.

• Prepare briefing materials, position papers, and talking points for leadership and board members on policy issues.

• Work with internal teams to gather and present compelling data, stories, and evidence that illustrate MANNA's role in fighting hunger and neighbor stories and data that effectively communicate the impact of policy decisions on food security.

• Collaborate with the Director of Marketing and Communications to develop clear messaging and materials for outreach to policymakers.

• Serve as a spokesperson for MANNA in policy-related inquiries and forums, in close coordination with the Communications team.

• Represent MANNA at government meetings, hearings, and policy discussions as needed.

• Actively participate in Feeding the Carolinas and Feeding America government relations initiatives to align MANNA’s effort with broader state and national advocacy strategies.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in political science, Public Administration, Communications, or related field (or equivalent experience).
• Minimum of 3-5 years proven experience in government relations, public administration, community engagement, or related field involving relationship management with public stakeholders.
• Working knowledge of community and government resources, structures and processes
• Ability to forge strong relationships.
• Willingness to travel within Western North Carolina and occasionally to state and national events.

· Strong communication and relationship-building skills and experience listening to and communicating with diverse groups of people.

· Deep understanding of complex issues and root causes that affect food security and ability to translate complex issues into clear, compelling messages to educate the community.

· Comfortable serving as a public representative of an organization with elected officials, community leaders, and partner organizations.

· Excellent organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities.

· Exceptional interpersonal skills with the ability to connect data, storytelling, and experience to inspire action. Familiarity with hunger relief efforts, nonprofit organizations, or food security issue

Additional Skills:

· Ability to maintain a flexible schedule and adapt in a dynamic, fast-paced environment

· Desire to educate and inspire others in the mission of MANNA FoodBank

· Training or familiarity with principles of project management

· Food bank experience, a plus

Working Conditions: Work will be performed in a typical office environment with exposure to local travel in a personal vehicle

Physical Demands: The physical demands required are representative of those that must be met by the employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job.

The physical demands of this position are considered medium work. While performing job duties, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to sit, stand; walk; and stoop, kneel, or crouch. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance. The employee must regularly lift and move objects up to 25lbs. Specific vision abilities require the visual acuity to operate motor vehicles; close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus close visual acuity to perform activities including but not limited to preparing and analyzing data and figures, transcribing, viewing a computer terminal, extensive reading.

Functions also require the ability to operate office equipment requiring repetitive hand movement and fine coordination including use of a computer keyboard, and to verbally communicate to exchange information.