Government Affairs and Strategic Partnerships Liaison

GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Serves as agency Government Affairs Liaison, including establishing and maintaining collegial relationships with Massachusetts elected officials at the state, federal, and municipal levels. Monitors proposed legislation that affects libraries and provides information to necessary stakeholders. Works closely with advocacy groups in the library community, creative and cultural sector, and with nonprofits. Ensures information is shared with the Library Legislative Caucus, agency staff, and Commissioners.

As the Strategic Partnerships Liaison, seeks partnerships, sponsorships, and collaborations with organizations whose missions align with the MBLC’s mission. Identifies and cultivates high-level partnerships that can help advance the work of libraries and of the agency. Works closely with the Director, Communications Director, and Grants Manager on programs within their purviews.

This is a hybrid role, with partial in-office and partial offsite work.

DETAILED STATEMENT OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Works closely with the Director and Communications Director on governmental issues, including legislative and budget strategies.
• Creates, maintains, and strengthens relationships with state and federal elected officials.
• Cultivates strategic partnerships with agencies and organizations within state government and externally.
• Performs legislative-related duties including but not limited to:

• Addressing members of the legislature, municipal officials, and library officials about agency programs and policies; preparing reports.
• Establishing and maintaining relationships and frequent communication with the Library Legislative Caucus.
• Maintaining collegial relationships with representatives of other state agencies and organizations.
• Establishing and maintaining relationships with other legislative liaisons in federal, state, and local agencies and offices and at other state library administrative agencies.
• Researching and drafting communications to legislators, stakeholders, and other groups on matters of interest.
• Attending State House events, hearings, and legislative sessions as needed.
• Tracking proposed legislation that affects libraries and preparing updates for agency staff, board, and the library community.
• Monitoring the Commonwealth’s fiscal outlook, revenue collections, and other data points that inform agency and library budget forecasts.
• Working closely with the Communications Director to draft the annual Legislative Agenda/budget request materials, news stories that have political interest, and other similar communications.
• Serving as liaison to the Massachusetts Library Association’s Legislative Committee and library advocacy groups across the Commonwealth.
• Scheduling, planning, and organizing legislative events. Communicating and coordinating staff and Commissioner representation at legislative breakfasts and other events.

5. Closely monitors legislative activity relating to libraries and to the specific programs of the Board of Library Commissioners. Presents a monthly written report on legislative and state fiscal issues to the Director and Board of Library Commissioners.

6. Recommends legislative policies to the Director by analyzing all pertinent issues and information regarding the impact of proposed legislation and policy on agency operations. Determines the resources necessary to implement such policy in order to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of agency operations.

7. Represents the Director or agency on various committees, executive working groups, at meetings, and at public events.

8. Coordinates requests for Governor and legislator citations for Commissioners, library staff, and others.

9. Performs strategic partnership duties, including but not limited to:

• Seeking partnerships, sponsorships, and collaborations with nonprofits and businesses whose missions align with MBLC’s mission.
• Identifying high-level partnerships that can help advance the work of libraries and the agency.
• Establishing, nurturing, and expanding relationships with other organizations for mutual benefit.
• Evaluating potential partners for alignment on mutual goals and the benefits of entering a collaboration.
• Creating, updating, and revising an internal Strategic Partnerships Policy.
• Maintaining clear and transparent communication with partners on topics and issues relevant to libraries.
• Working closely with the Grants Manager to seek grants or funding from new or existing partners to support agency goals.

10. In partnership with the Director, meets with stakeholder groups including, but not limited to, library groups, public and elected officials, nonprofit groups, cultural sector representatives, vendors, and others.

11. Confers with agency colleagues regarding existing partnerships and collaborations, and provides support as needed.

12. Assists the Director with strategic planning, including management and implementation of the agency’s strategic plan.

13. Contributes annual updates to the agency’s Internal Control Plan.

14. Performs other duties as needed.

Qualifications Required at Hire

1. Knowledge of:

• The theory, principles, and practices of public libraries.
• Massachusetts state government structure, budgetary procedures and systems/functions.
• Municipal library structure in Massachusetts, especially regarding the relationships between libraries, their boards of trustees, and their municipalities.
• Principles, practices, and techniques of professional employees in a hybrid work environment.
• Budgeting, as it relates to program management.

2. Superior written and verbal communication skills, with strong interpersonal and public speaking skills and the ability to engage diverse audiences, collaborate on agency messaging, and adapt to the evolving needs of the agency.

3. Ability to understand, apply, and interpret the provisions of laws, rules, regulations, policies, and guidelines governing MBLC agency operations and state agencies in general.

4. Clear understanding of state regulations regarding ethics, advocacy, and lobbying.

5. Strong ability and willingness to work collaboratively with library-related groups and establish liaisons and partnerships with other organizations outside of libraries.

• Demonstrated leadership ability to build coalitions and foster productive working relationships across departments, agencies, other governmental units, and with external stakeholders.



• Proven ability to anticipate and prioritize urgent issues, exercise sound judgment, and make data‑driven recommendations in a fast‑paced environment.
• Experience in preparing policy briefs, fact sheets, presentations, or other written materials that distill complex policy issues into clear and actionable information for diverse audiences, including staff, board members, policymakers, institutional leaders, and the public.
• Ability to assist in the development of public policy recommendations aimed at improving the accessibility, affordability, and quality of library services in Massachusetts.
• Interest and ability to participate in efforts to promote policy changes at the state level.
• Ability to work with senior agency staff to support the execution of the agency’s strategy, aligning research and analysis with the agency’s broader goals.
• Demonstrated ability to think strategically, set and meet goals, analyze data, and solve problems.
• Proven organizational, project management, and project execution skills. Outstanding attention to detail.

14. Skill at leading instructional sessions for adults, both in-person and virtually.

15. Ability to organize and set priorities for multiple projects with competing deadlines and varying levels of time pressure.

16. Ability to adapt to changing situations to meet changing requirements.

17. Willingness and ability to work occasional irregular hours (i.e., weekends, holidays, evenings)

18. Willingness and ability to travel in state and occasionally out of state for job-related purposes.

QUALIFICATIONS ACQUIRED ON JOB

1. Knowledge of the policies of the Board of Library Commissioners.

2. Knowledge of the laws, rules, regulations, policies, procedures, guidelines, and operating procedures governing the Board of Library Commissioners, agency programs, and state library agencies.

3. Awareness and understanding of the relationship between state agencies and the state legislature in regard to budgets.

4. Knowledge of the requirements for the administration of federal and state grant programs on the state, city, and municipal levels.

5. Understanding of the basic functions of the MBLC’s affiliated organizations.

6. Awareness of the principles underlying procurement at the state level.

7. Knowledge of state statutes, regulations, and laws relating to libraries.

8. Ability to contribute to strategic planning and initiative development on key issues affecting library services in Massachusetts.

The goals of the MBLC are to:

• maintain and strengthen the Commonwealth's free public libraries,
• provide statewide and regional programs for the improvement of library services provided by libraries of all types,
• support resource sharing, online access, and the utilization of technology by libraries, and
• provide specialized library services to blind and physically handicapped residents.

First consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days.

MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIRMENTS

Applicant must have at least:

a) five years of full-time, or equivalent part-time, professional experience in management consulting, nonprofit leadership, public relations, state government, or a related field.

b) any equivalent combination of the required experience and the substitutions below:

I. A Bachelor’s degree in a related field may be substituted for a maximum of one year of the required (a) experience. *

II. A Master’s degree or higher in a related field may be substituted for a maximum of two years of the required (a) experience. *

• Education toward a degree will be prorated on the basis of the proportion of the proportion of the requirements actually completed. Educational substitutions will only be permitted for a maximum of two years of the required (a) experience

10. Preferred Qualifications

Demonstrated experience in legislative advocacy. Already-established positive relationships with Massachusetts state legislators. Understanding of Massachusetts state legislative structure and how the legislature operates. American Library Association-accredited MLS or MLIS; knowledge of contemporary library services. Flexible, future-focused leader who can keep an eye on details and deadlines. Proven track record of successfully creating and maintaining strategic partnerships. Passionate about working with elected officials and other organizations to amplify and enhance the work of libraries across the Commonwealth. Strong interest in using data to drive messaging. Entrepreneurial, creative, persistent mindset with a sense of humor.

LICENSE AND/OR CERTIFICATION REQUIRMENTS

Requires a valid driver’s license and access to a motor vehicle for work-related travel.

Comprehensive Benefits