Government Relations Manager

Our culture isn’t just something we talk about—it’s something we live every day. We call it #TheWilsonvilleWay.

At the core of #TheWilsonvilleWay is a simple belief: great work starts with great people. We’re a team driven by purpose, fueled by passion, and grounded in a deep respect for one another. Whether you're leading from the front or keeping things running behind the scenes, your work has meaning—and your impact is real.

We show up for our community, and just as importantly, we show up for each other. We work hard, celebrate big, and create space for people to grow, lead, and thrive. Ours is a culture where collaboration beats competition, curiosity is encouraged, and success is shared.

Joining our team means becoming part of something bigger. It means bringing your whole self to work, knowing you’ll be supported, challenged, and celebrated along the way.

This is what sets us apart. This is #TheWilsonvilleWay.

Be the bridge. Drive impact. Shape the future.

At the City of Wilsonville, we believe great communities are built on great connections—between people, places, and policy. We’re looking for a seasoned, strategic, and passionate Government Relations Manager to lead our intergovernmental efforts and ensure Wilsonville’s voice is heard at every level.

This isn’t just a job—it’s an opportunity to lead with purpose, collaborate across boundaries, and play a central role in shaping policy that serves a thriving community.

About the Role

As our Government Relations Manager, you’ll serve as the City’s primary advocate and strategist on legislative and policy matters. Reporting directly to the City Manager, you’ll build strong relationships with elected officials, regional coalitions, and public agencies to ensure Wilsonville’s priorities are represented and advanced.

You’ll monitor emerging legislation, shape proactive policy agendas, and advise City leadership with clarity, confidence, and credibility. In short, you’ll be at the forefront, driving change where it matters most.

What You’ll Do

• Lead the development and execution of the City’s legislative and intergovernmental strategy.
• Build and sustain productive relationships with legislators, public agencies, and partner organizations.
• Monitor and analyze local, state, and federal policy trends with potential impact on city operations.
• Advise the City Manager, executive leadership team, and City Council on legislative matters.
• Represent Wilsonville at hearings, workgroups, and intergovernmental forums.
• Collaborate across departments to align advocacy efforts with City goals and community needs.

What You Bring

• Proven experience in government relations, public policy, legislative affairs, or a related field.
• Deep understanding of the legislative process at the state and federal levels.
• Exceptional communication and relationship-building skills.
• Strategic thinking with a proactive, solution-oriented approach.
• A collaborative spirit and passion for public service.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

The following tasks are representative and not to be considered all inclusive.

• Develop and implement comprehensive government relations strategies across federal, state, regional, and local levels to advance City priorities and initiatives.

• Maintain high visibility and effective communication with elected and appointed officials, City staff, and both internal and external stakeholders.

• Create and execute communication strategies to clearly and persuasively convey the City’s policy positions to various audiences.

• Analyze proposed legislation and regulatory changes, assessing their impact on the City and providing strategic guidance and recommendations to the City Manager, City Council, and City departments.

• Interpret complex legislative and policy documents and respond to requests for high-level information related to City positions.

• Represent the City’s interests at public forums, summits, and in meetings with associations, delegations, and advocacy groups; serve on external policy committees as needed.

• Prepare and review formal correspondence including letters of support or opposition, testimony, position statements, speeches, and talking points.

• Testify before legislative committees and advocate on behalf of the City’s interests and priorities.

• Establish and maintain relationships with legislators, congressional staff, consultants, lobbyists, intergovernmental partners, industry groups, and community organizations.

• Coordinate lobbying efforts in close collaboration the City Manager, City Council, and executive leadership.

• Attend and represent the City at work groups, task forces, stakeholder meetings, tours, and other related events.

• Plan and manage logistics for special events and tours involving state and federal delegation members, City officials, and stakeholders.

• Collaborate and meet with external partners, including regional, statewide, federal, tribal, and international stakeholders to build coalitions advance shared legislative or policy objectives.

• Support City departments in identifying and securing funding, including assistance with grant applications, letters of support, and advocacy for state and federal funding requests.

• Oversee government relations contracts and consultant work, ensuring deliverables align with City goals.

• Complete other tasks as assigned.

Customer Service Standards for Employees

These standards are to ensure the organization is focused on providing high quality service to the public and other employees. Employees are expected to meet these standards as part of their job responsibilities.

Communication

• Acknowledge customers when they enter a city facility by greeting them with a smile and positive tone of voice whether in person, on the phone or in email. Gather necessary information to assist the customer. Where possible, handle issues/questions/requests without transferring customer to someone else.

• Seek out answers to questions first; if unsuccessful provide name/contact information of someone who can assist.

• Listen, understand, and clarify to gain in depth understanding of the needs to ensure they are being met.

• Address difficult or contentious issues in a constructive manner. Be positive and enthusiastic when speaking with customers.

Respect

• Be courteous and polite.

• Treat customers with dignity and respect.

• Understand customer's expectations and treat them as a priority. Actively listen and give customer undivided attention.

• Appreciate differing perspectives, opinions, and needs.

• Demonstrate integrity and build trust through credibility, reliability, commitment, and ethical behavior.

Responsiveness

• Provide prompt and reliable service. Respond to phone/email as soon as possible.

• Follow through in a timely manner on commitments made to customers and provide estimated timeline for completion.

• Change voicemail and email when out of office/unavailable and provide alternate contact person for customers.

• Demonstrate a "can-do" approach.

• Exhibit problem-solving skills leading to sound judgment and quality decisions.

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, Communications, Political Science, or a closely related field.

Experience: Six (6) years of increasingly responsible experience in researching, analyzing, and advising on public policy or legislative developments.

- OR -

Any combination of lived and educational experience that would provide the desired knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform the job.

Required Certifications/Licenses: Valid driver license with ability to adhere to City driving standards

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of public policy development, legislative processes, and government relations.
• Local, regional, state, and federal legislative systems and procedures.
• Policy issues affecting municipalities, including legal, environmental, economic, and social trends.
• Local, state, and federal legislation, particularly as it relates to city governance and municipal priorities.
• Principles of effective communication, including the use of traditional and digital media platforms.
• Applicable laws, codes, regulations, and administrative procedures.

Skilled in:

• Conducting thorough research and analysis of legislative and regulatory issues.
• Interpreting and applying complex laws, policies, and procedures.
• Building and maintaining strong working relationships across government and community organizations.
• Navigating sensitive or confidential political issues with discretion and professionalism.
• Communicating persuasively and clearly in both written and verbal formats.
• Strategic thinking and managing competing priorities in a dynamic environment.
• Using office technologies and digital tools effectively to manage communication and workflow.

Ability to:

• Analyze complex problems, evaluate alternatives, and recommend effective solutions.
• Exercise sound judgment in high-stakes or politically sensitive situations.
• Represent the City in a professional manner before elected bodies, agencies, organizations, and the public.
• Lead cross-departmental efforts related to policy and legislative priorities.
• Prepare clear, concise, and compelling reports, briefings, and presentations.
• Travel as required and work flexible hours to attend legislative sessions, meetings, and events.

Work Environment: This position typically works in an office environment with moderate noise levels and controlled temperature conditions.  Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives. Work outside of normal business hours such as evenings, early mornings, and/or weekends, is required.

Physical Requirements: Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer, to operate a motor vehicle, and to visit various sites; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person, before groups, and over the telephone.  This is primarily a sedentary office classification, although standing in work areas and walking between work areas may be required.  Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment.  Positions in this classification occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push, and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information.  Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects weighing up to 20 pounds.

Cognitive Functions: The position operates in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment with frequent interruptions, and requires high-level decision-making and independent judgement. The role involves working with individuals who may hold diverse or opposing views on complex City issues. Most problems encountered are complex, with limited precedent or established solutions. The incumbent must demonstrate initiative, adaptability, and strong problem-solving skills, along with a high degree of professionalism and discretion.

Tools/Equipment Used: computer, including applicable software and hardware, printer, photocopier, telephone, city vehicle, and audiovisual equipment.