EXTERNAL RELATIONS ASSOCIATE

Position Summary:

The External Relations Associate reports to the Director of External Relations as part of the Strategic Engagement Team at the Mercatus Center at George Mason University.  The External Relations Associate will gain a solid understanding of Mercatus research and work to amplify the impact of Mercatus research and analysis.  The Associate will represent Mercatus at events, meetings, briefings, and conferences at the federal and state levels, as well as support communication efforts by fielding incoming interview requests.

This role is ideal for someone who is interested in public policy, free market research, strategic communication, and relationship-building. This is an in-office role based in Arlington, VA.

Key Responsibilities:

• Coalition Engagement: Represent Mercatus at regular coalition meetings, relevant events, and other D.C gatherings in order to communicate organizational priorities and identify opportunities for collaboration.  Attend state policy conferences and support scholars in state visits as needed.
• Partnership Development: Assist in cultivating and maintaining relationships with federal and state policy organizations, think tanks, and other external partners.
• Public Relations Strategy: Assist in managing incoming media inquiries, placement in digital channels, coordinating podcast interviews with scholars as needed, and occasionally distributing press releases.
• Scholar Promotion: Support efforts to connect Mercatus scholars with government officials, policy organizations, and media opportunities at both the federal and state levels.
• Internal Communication: Coordinate with Mercatus scholars and staff to ensure timely dissemination of policy-relevant research and alignment on engagement opportunities.
• Research Fluency: Maintain a strong understanding of Mercatus research—particularly in core policy areas—and communicate its relevance effectively to external stakeholders.
• Event and Briefing Support: Help organize and execute events, conferences, briefings, and meetings, and manage follow-up communication with attendees and collaborators.

• 1-2+ years of experience in government affairs or public policy.
• Ability to travel on occasion, up to 5%.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Interest in and alignment with public policy, free market ideas, and the mission of the Mercatus Center.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, work collaboratively, and communicate effectively across teams.
• Bachelor’s degree in public policy, political science, communications, or a related field.

HOW TO APPLY:

Applications should be submitted to Talent Market via this link: talentmarket.org/apply-for-your-dream-job/

Questions can be directed to Bailey Drouant, Outreach Manager at Talent Market, who is managing the search: bailey@talentmarket.org

EEO Statement: We are an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.

Employee Benefits: Salary is competitive and will be commensurate with experience. In addition, Mercatus provides excellent benefits to all individual employees, including full health and dental coverage, flexible spending accounts, long-term disability and life insurance, a 403(b) retirement savings program, parking/travel benefits, and twelve free credits per year at George Mason University.

About the Mercatus Center at George Mason University: For over 40 years, the Mercatus Center at George Mason University has been the world’s premier university source for market-oriented ideas—bridging the gap between academic ideas and real-world problems. A university-based research center, Mercatus works to advance knowledge about how markets work to improve our lives by training graduate students, conducting research, and applying sound economics to offer solutions to society’s most pressing problems.