The Civic Council of Greater Kansas City Public Policy & Communications Manager Kansas City, MO · Full time

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The Civic Council of Greater Kansas City is a 501(c) (4) nonprofit organization made up of leaders from the largest private employers in the Kansas City region. The organization is funded primarily through members' annual dues. The Civic Council’s Mission is to accelerate growth in the region’s prosperity and quality of life by strategically deploying the personal and corporate resources, influence, and expertise of the region’s business and civic leaders.

Role Summary

The Public Policy, Communications & Grants Manager bridges macroeconomic research, legislative advocacy, proactive resource development, and multi-channel marketing execution. Reporting directly to the President of the Civic Council, this manager serves as a vital operator responsible for managing day-to-day public affairs operations, tracking regional datasets, conducting research, drafting strategic policy summaries, and scaling the digital presence for the Civic Council's initiatives.

This role demands a unique combination of political acumen, grant-writing expertise, and storytelling capability. The position focuses on advancing the Civic Council's legislative agenda—coordinating with contract lobbyists, analyzing policy impact, and tracking bills across local, state, regional, and federal government sectors. Crucially, this manager leads efforts to identify state and federal public funding opportunities and author competitive grant proposals to advance the Civic Council's top priorities. Additionally, the role oversees public-facing communications, including multi-platform social media architecture, web presence, and strategic media outreach.

The ideal candidate smoothly interfaces with corporate Civic Council member CEOs, Office Managing Partners, university presidents, philanthropy executives, external lobbying teams, and lawmakers. They excel at translating dense econometric data and complex legislative text into clear, persuasive narratives that secure funding, protect regional interests, and advance the economic vitality of the Greater Kansas City region.

Core Responsibilities

Public Policy, Legislation & Government Relations (60% of the Role)

• Legislative Agenda Tracking & Strategy: Track and evaluate local, state (Missouri and Kansas), and federal legislative bills, regulatory rules, and policy proposals to advance the Civic Council's top priorities.
• Draft Advocacy Materials: Produce high-quality, clear, and concise advisory white papers, policy memos, legislative testimonies, and economic impact analyses.
• Coordinate Contract Lobbyists: Serve as the day-to-day point of contact for external and internal contract lobbyists, ensuring strategic priorities are effectively communicated to legislative bodies.
• Support Lawmaker Engagement: Organize and prepare data-driven materials for targeted briefings, legislative receptions, and direct discussions with elected officials.
• Synthesize Lobbyist Intelligence: Gather and interpret real-time updates and political intelligence from lobbyists to dynamically adjust the organization’s advocacy approach.
• Committee Administration: Serve as the staff lead and administrative coordinator for Civic Council committees, public policy task forces, and regional coalitions.
• Attend Hearings: Monitor and report on public meetings, legislative committee hearings, and civic task force briefings pertaining to priority issues.
• Synthesize Macroeconomic Trends: Source and monitor statistical data and regional policy trends across economic development, national security, energy, bioscience & healthcare, workforce, innovation, education, housing, and public safety.

Resource Development & Grant Writing (20% of the Role)

• Identify Funding Opportunities: Actively source, track, and evaluate state and federal public funding opportunities aligned with the Civic Council's top priorities.
• Grant Writing: Lead the end-to-end development, structural drafting, budget alignment, and submission of highly competitive public and private grant proposals.
• Compliance & Reporting Tracking: Monitor post-award guidelines and coordinate with operations to ensure data collection and metrics satisfy public funding compliance frameworks.

Integrated Communications & Media Management (20% of the Role)

• Manage Digital Platforms: Direct social media channels (like LinkedIn, X/Twitter, Vimeo, etc.), scheduling and creating content streams using tools like Metricool and Trello.
• Trend Alignment: Maintain a comprehensive understanding of current social media formats and platform features to optimize digital reach and community engagement.
• Content Production: Write monthly blog posts, draft quarterly newsletters, and coordinate media asset design for both print and digital regional marketing collateral to amplify the Civic Council’s work.
• Web Architecture Support: Manage web presence architectures across owned and operated platforms,
• reviewing site traffic metrics via analytics tools and curating the online video library.
• Media Outreach: Identify regional progress milestones, guide volunteer leaders on visual timing/newsworthiness, and pitch compelling story frameworks to media outlets to secure active press coverage.

Role Requirements & Qualifications

Education

• Required: Bachelor’s degree in Public Policy, Economics, Political Science, Communications, Business Administration, Urban Planning, or a closely related discipline.

Experience Required

• Professional Track Record: Minimum of 3 to 5 years of progressive, hands-on experience in public policy research, public affairs, legislative advocacy, or corporate/civic communications.
• System & Platform Literacy: Documented expertise managing multi-platform social systems, publishing via tools like WordPress CMS, and utilizing analytics tools like Google Analytics or dashboard tracking models.
• Data Presentation Mastery: Advanced competency in using software tools like Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint to translate granular quantitative data sets into accessible visual narratives.

Desired Professional Attributes & Characteristics

• Connective & Story-Driven Thinker: Exceptional capacity to step back from technical econometric data and parse it into an inspiring, persuasive visual or written story.
• Independent Project Execution: A self-starter who sets internal direction, handles cross-functional timelines easily, and remains accurate under high-pressure deadlines.
• Mission-Driven Collaboration: Exceptional interpersonal skills to work effectively with community leaders, corporate executives, elected officials, and external vendors while prioritizing team goals.
• Absolute Discretion: Proven commitment to professional integrity, handling proprietary civic strategies and sensitive legislative interactions with complete confidentiality.