Masse

Senior Manager of External Affairs

Masse • $90K — $120K *
Boston, MA 02115In-Person
Education, Government & Non-Profit
5 - 7 years of experience
Today
Be an Early Applicant
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Experience with Massachusetts Legislature and its processes.
  • Significant experience in reviewing and drafting legislation.
  • Proven track record in developing communications strategies and materials.
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills for diverse audiences.
  • Professional support experience for high-level officials or legislators.
  • Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
  • Subject matter knowledge in children’s policy and services preferred.

Responsibilities

  • Develop and implement the OCA's legislative advocacy strategy.
  • Manage relationships with legislators and advocacy organizations.
  • Oversee legislative affairs including drafting legislation and testimony.
  • Develop external communication strategies and oversee all public materials.
  • Manage media relations and prepare staff for interviews.
  • Cultivate relationships with key organizations relevant to OCA’s mission.
  • Supervise the Legislative and Communications Manager and other staff.

Benefits

  • Flexible work scheduling, including potential evenings as needed.
  • Occasional travel across Massachusetts to attend meetings and events.
  • Opportunity to influence child advocacy policies and initiatives in Massachusetts.
Full Job Description
The role of the Senior Manager for External Affairs is to promote the work of the Office of the Child Advocate with key external organizations and constituencies -- including legislators, members of the press, and advocacy and community-based organizations whose mission and work intersect with the OCA -- as well as the general public. Under the direction of the Sr Director of Policy & Implementation, the Senior Manager leads development and implementation of the agency's legislative, communications, and external affairs strategies. The Senior Manager supervises a Legislative and Communications Manager.

The right candidate for this position has a track record of successfully advancing a legislative agenda and promoting the work of an organization among key constituencies. While you do not need to be a subject matter expert on every topic area the OCA covers, you should have enough background in child and family policy and services to ask the right questions, understand the answers, communicate effectively with OCA experts and external stakeholders, and as needed translate technical information into clear and compelling messages for a variety of audiences. You areacritical thinker, a strong writer, andyou areopen to listening and learning from a range of perspectives.You aredetail oriented and able to work independently, while also working collaboratively on projects with peers, managers,and OCA leadership to advance projects.You areflexible and can work quickly and efficiently on multiple projects.You are actively interested in supervising staff and promoting a collaborative team environment. Most of all, you have a passion for improving the lives of the children and youth of the Commonwealth and want to be part of an innovative, growing team of public servants who share that passion.

Application Instructions

Applications are to be submitted on the Mass Careers website: MassCareers Create a Profile guide | Mass.gov . A cover letter and resume are required parts of the application.Please do not contact the OCA via phone to inquire about the status of your application. If you need any support with submitting your application, please refer to MassCareers Resources | Mass.gov . Review of applicants will start immediately and continue while the position is posted, with first consideration given to those received on or before August 7th, 2026.

Duties & Responsibilities
  • Develops and implements the OCA's legislative advocacy strategy. Manages the development of the OCA's legislative agenda. Develops and maintains good relationships with members of the Legislature and oversees all legislative outreach. Develops and maintains good relationships with relevant advocacy organizations and identifies opportunity to partner or align with external groups to advance the OCA's legislative agenda. Advises the Child Advocate and OCA Senior Staff on major legislative issues and developments and their impact on OCA work and strategies. Depending on the subject matter expertise and/or interest of the incumbent, may participate in policy development work with the Child Advocate and/or OCA Senior Staff.
  • Oversees all legislative affairs activities, including:
    • Developing draft legislation, testimony, and bill comments in partnership with the Child Advocate, the OCA Senior Leadership Team, and any assigned Legal Counsel.
    • Hosting or partnering with legislators on legislative briefings or hearings
    • Developing legislative advocacy materials (e.g. fact sheets, fliers)
    • Ensuring submission of final documents from the OCA to legislators and others, including reports to the Legislature.
    • Monitoring of current relevant legislation and legislative reports, particularly legislation impacting the OCA, the annual budget process, and key external initiatives relevant to the work of the OCA.
    • Reporting to the Child Advocate and the OCA Senior Leadership Team on relevant developments.
    • OCA attendance at relevant legislative hearings and events.
    • OCA response to legislative inquiries and constituent relations.
  • Oversees the development and implementation of external communication strategy for the OCA. Works with the Child Advocate and OCA Senior Staff to identify communication priorities and opportunities. Oversees management of OCA communication vehicles, including the OCA newsletter, website, and OCA social media accounts and reviews all communications content prior to public release. Drafts and/or oversees the development of speeches, talking points, statements, and presentations on key OCA initiatives from the Child Advocate and other OCA staff. Ensures the agency speaks with one voice in its public materials.
  • Oversees OCA media relations. Drafts and/or reviews relevant public information materials (i.e. statements, press releases, op-eds, letters to the editor) prior to release. Drafts and/or reviews media talking points and helps prepare Child Advocate and other OCA staff for media interviews as relevant.
  • In partnership with Child Advocate and OCA senior staff, develops and manages OCA's relationship with key organizations and constituencies whose mission and work intersect with the OCA. Prepares briefing materials for the Child Advocate's public events as needed. Attends meetings and events with Child Advocate as assigned and ensures appropriate note-taking and follow-up. As needed, attends external meetings (e.g., advisory boards, conferences, briefings) on behalf of the Child Advocate.
  • Supervises a Legislative and Communications Manager and, from time to time, supervises the work of other staff members on specific deliverables.

This position requires occasional travel across Massachusetts and an ability to work flexible hours Monday - Friday, including evenings from time to time when required to respond to urgent media or legislative concerns. Please note that this job also requires an individual to work in-person at the OCA's Boston office 1-2 days per week, and occasionally more often for in-person meetings (e.g. legislative hearings).

Qualifications:
Required:
  • Experience working in and/or with Massachusetts Legislature, including a working knowledge of the organization of state government, the legislative process, and the budget process.
  • Significant experience reviewing legislation required. Experience drafting legislation and/or amendments preferred.
  • Experience developing and implementing communications strategies, developing communications materials (e.g. newsletters, website content, social media content) and working productively with members of the media.
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills, particularly the ability to digest complex information (including policy, research, and data/statistics) and present thoughts clearly and concisely to a variety of audiences utilizing a variety of formats (e.g., written articles, oral and visual presentations, etc.)
  • Experience providing professional support to a high-level executive or legislator (e.g. drafting talking points, preparing tailored briefing materials)
  • Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
  • Subject matter experience related to children's policy and services (demonstrated through past professional and/or academic experience) and a desire to expand knowledge in this space strongly preferred.
  • Ability to work with high-level state and local officials and other interested parties
  • Ability to work independently and as part of a team
  • Ability to exercise sound judgment and deal effectively and tactfully with others
  • Ability to coordinate competing interests and work under time constraints
  • Ability to establish rapport and work collaboratively with a wide variety of stakeholders, including the ability to see an issue from multiple perspectives, develop empathy even for those you disagree with, and identify and work on issues of common ground
  • Prior supervision experience preferred.
  • Proficient in Microsoft 365 Suite, Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint and other commonly used computer software applications.

Minimum Entrance Requirements:
  • Juris Doctorate or Master's degree in public policy, public administration, education, public health, or a related field
  • At least seven (7) years of professional experience in legislative relations, communications, public policy, or related fields

Preferred Entrance Requirements:
  • Ten (10) years of professional experience in legislative relations, communications, public policy, or related fields

About Masse

Masse is a Japanese manufacturer of personal care and household products. The company's product line includes a range of skin care, hair care, and cleaning products, as well as fragrances and cosmetics. Masse's products are sold through a network of retail stores and online channels in Japan and other Asian markets. The company was founded in 1952 and is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan.
Learn more about Masse
Size
100 employees
Industry
Food & Beverages
Founded
2018
* Ladders Estimates

Similar Jobs

Ad banner background

Get Ready For Your
Next Interview

More Jobs at Masse

More Education, Government & Non-Profit Jobs

Find similar Senior Manager of External Affairs jobs:

NationwideBoston, MA