Government Affairs Manager Jobs for OPT Students
Government Affairs Manager roles are open to F-1 OPT students with degrees in political science, public policy, law, or related fields. Your 12-month OPT window (or 24-month STEM extension if eligible) gives you enough runway to demonstrate value and secure H-1B sponsorship from employers who regularly engage with federal or state policy.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
At Vanta, our mission is to help businesses earn and prove trust. We believe that security should be monitored and verified continuously, and we empower companies to practice better security and prove it with ease. Vanta has a kind and talented team, and while some have prior security experience, many have been successful at Vanta without it.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
As Vanta’s US Government Affairs Manager, you will help drive the development and execution of Vanta’s Federal, State, and Local government relations agenda. In this role, you will engage with Vanta’s internal teams to support the development and implementation of a government affairs strategy around Vanta’s commercial and public sector business, including direct lobbying efforts and strategic coalition building. You will communicate what Vanta is and does, Vanta’s key mission and policy priorities, and the value we bring to our commercial and public sector customers. This includes collaborating with Vanta’s Chief Legal Officer & Head of Public Sector on strategic issues to advance public discourse on key debates related to cybersecurity, AI and automation, compliance, and risk management. Internally, this person will know how to articulate and discuss the implications and impact of relevant legislative, regulatory, and political events to Vanta’s business.
What you’ll do as Vanta’s US Government Affairs Manager:
- Develop, maintain, and build-upon a network of relationships with Congressional staff, Administration officials, and regulatory decision-makers, along with external consultants and third parties engaged in government affairs matters.
- Work closely with internal cross-functional counterparts to shape external outreach and engagements, raise awareness about Vanta’s impact on its customers, and inform strategic debates in Washington, DC.
- Anticipate and identify key legislation, budgetary items, and regulation salient to Vanta, and communicate the implications of those policies on the business with a variety of important internal decision-makers.
- Collaborate with business and engineering leads to develop policy positions on key issues and draft legislative language.
- Perform research and generate communications or collateral materials as needed.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Have meaningful (4+ years) prior experience working for or with US Congress or Federal agencies
- Have strong policy expertise and analytical skills related to cybersecurity, AI and automation, and regulatory compliance
- Have a demonstrated ability to expand your and your employer’s network across various aspects of the US Federal government in a non-partisan manner
- Have a keen interest in understanding the technology that drives Vanta’s products
- Have a demonstrated ability to work closely with cross-functional GTM and engineering stakeholders
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Established participant in trade associations, or experience working directly with trade associations
- A portfolio of written policy work related to cybersecurity, AI and automation, and/or risk management
- Open to using AI to amplify their skills and strengthen their work - demonstrating curiosity, a willingness to learn, and sound judgment in applying AI responsibly to improve efficiency and impact
What you can expect as a Vanta'n:
- Industry-competitive compensation
- 100% covered medical, dental, and vision benefits with dependents coverage
- 16 weeks fully-paid parental Leave for all new parents
- Health & wellness and remote workplace stipends
- Family planning benefits
- 401(k) matching
- Flexible work hours and location
- Open PTO policy
- 11 paid holidays in the US
- Offices in SF, NYC, London, Dublin, and Sydney
To provide greater transparency to candidates, we share base pay ranges for all US-based job postings regardless of state. We set standard base pay ranges for all roles based on function, level, and country location, benchmarked against similar-stage growth companies. Final offer amounts are determined by multiple factors and may vary based on candidate location, skills, depth of work experience, and relevant licenses/credentials.
At Vanta, we are committed to hiring diverse talent of different backgrounds and as such, it is important to us to provide an inclusive work environment for all. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, gender identity, age, religion, sexual orientation, veteran or disability status, or any other protected class. As an equal opportunity employer, we encourage and welcome people of all backgrounds to apply.
About Vanta
We started in 2018, in the wake of several high-profile data breaches. Online security was only becoming more important, but we knew firsthand how hard it could be for fast-growing companies to invest the time and manpower it takes to build a solid security foundation. Vanta was inspired by a vision to restore trust in internet businesses by enabling companies to improve and prove their security. From our early days automating security monitoring for compliance standards like SOC 2, HIPAA and ISO 27001 to creating the world's leading Trust Management Platform, our vision remains unchanged. Now more than ever, making security continuous—not just a point-in-time check—is essential. Thousands of companies rely on Vanta to build, maintain and demonstrate their trust—all in a way that's real-time and transparent.
Referral Instructions
If you are being referred for the role, please contact that person to apply on your behalf.
INTRODUCTION
At Vanta, our mission is to help businesses earn and prove trust. We believe that security should be monitored and verified continuously, and we empower companies to practice better security and prove it with ease. Vanta has a kind and talented team, and while some have prior security experience, many have been successful at Vanta without it.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
As Vanta’s US Government Affairs Manager, you will help drive the development and execution of Vanta’s Federal, State, and Local government relations agenda. In this role, you will engage with Vanta’s internal teams to support the development and implementation of a government affairs strategy around Vanta’s commercial and public sector business, including direct lobbying efforts and strategic coalition building. You will communicate what Vanta is and does, Vanta’s key mission and policy priorities, and the value we bring to our commercial and public sector customers. This includes collaborating with Vanta’s Chief Legal Officer & Head of Public Sector on strategic issues to advance public discourse on key debates related to cybersecurity, AI and automation, compliance, and risk management. Internally, this person will know how to articulate and discuss the implications and impact of relevant legislative, regulatory, and political events to Vanta’s business.
What you’ll do as Vanta’s US Government Affairs Manager:
- Develop, maintain, and build-upon a network of relationships with Congressional staff, Administration officials, and regulatory decision-makers, along with external consultants and third parties engaged in government affairs matters.
- Work closely with internal cross-functional counterparts to shape external outreach and engagements, raise awareness about Vanta’s impact on its customers, and inform strategic debates in Washington, DC.
- Anticipate and identify key legislation, budgetary items, and regulation salient to Vanta, and communicate the implications of those policies on the business with a variety of important internal decision-makers.
- Collaborate with business and engineering leads to develop policy positions on key issues and draft legislative language.
- Perform research and generate communications or collateral materials as needed.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Have meaningful (4+ years) prior experience working for or with US Congress or Federal agencies
- Have strong policy expertise and analytical skills related to cybersecurity, AI and automation, and regulatory compliance
- Have a demonstrated ability to expand your and your employer’s network across various aspects of the US Federal government in a non-partisan manner
- Have a keen interest in understanding the technology that drives Vanta’s products
- Have a demonstrated ability to work closely with cross-functional GTM and engineering stakeholders
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Established participant in trade associations, or experience working directly with trade associations
- A portfolio of written policy work related to cybersecurity, AI and automation, and/or risk management
- Open to using AI to amplify their skills and strengthen their work - demonstrating curiosity, a willingness to learn, and sound judgment in applying AI responsibly to improve efficiency and impact
What you can expect as a Vanta'n:
- Industry-competitive compensation
- 100% covered medical, dental, and vision benefits with dependents coverage
- 16 weeks fully-paid parental Leave for all new parents
- Health & wellness and remote workplace stipends
- Family planning benefits
- 401(k) matching
- Flexible work hours and location
- Open PTO policy
- 11 paid holidays in the US
- Offices in SF, NYC, London, Dublin, and Sydney
To provide greater transparency to candidates, we share base pay ranges for all US-based job postings regardless of state. We set standard base pay ranges for all roles based on function, level, and country location, benchmarked against similar-stage growth companies. Final offer amounts are determined by multiple factors and may vary based on candidate location, skills, depth of work experience, and relevant licenses/credentials.
At Vanta, we are committed to hiring diverse talent of different backgrounds and as such, it is important to us to provide an inclusive work environment for all. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, gender identity, age, religion, sexual orientation, veteran or disability status, or any other protected class. As an equal opportunity employer, we encourage and welcome people of all backgrounds to apply.
About Vanta
We started in 2018, in the wake of several high-profile data breaches. Online security was only becoming more important, but we knew firsthand how hard it could be for fast-growing companies to invest the time and manpower it takes to build a solid security foundation. Vanta was inspired by a vision to restore trust in internet businesses by enabling companies to improve and prove their security. From our early days automating security monitoring for compliance standards like SOC 2, HIPAA and ISO 27001 to creating the world's leading Trust Management Platform, our vision remains unchanged. Now more than ever, making security continuous—not just a point-in-time check—is essential. Thousands of companies rely on Vanta to build, maintain and demonstrate their trust—all in a way that's real-time and transparent.
Referral Instructions
If you are being referred for the role, please contact that person to apply on your behalf.
How to Get Visa Sponsorship as a Government Affairs Manager
Target organizations with federal lobbying footprints
Employers who file federal lobbying disclosures, maintain Washington offices, or hold government contracts are more accustomed to visa sponsorship. These organizations have legal infrastructure in place and are more likely to sponsor H-1B petitions for strong performers.
Frame your international background as a policy asset
Experience navigating foreign regulatory environments or multilateral institutions is genuinely useful in government affairs. Positioning this background in your resume and interviews makes you a differentiated candidate, not just a sponsorship liability that needs justification.
Prioritize trade associations, think tanks, and advocacy organizations
These employers hire government affairs professionals regularly and are more likely to retain strong analysts long-term. Many have prior experience sponsoring international staff, which shortens the internal approval process compared to employers encountering sponsorship for the first time.
Build Hill connections while on OPT
Congressional relationships are the core currency of government affairs. Use your OPT period to attend hearings, agency briefings, and policy events where you can build a professional network that will support your value proposition to current and future employers during sponsorship discussions.
Get your E-Verify status confirmed early
Government affairs roles often sit inside organizations that are federal contractors and therefore required to use E-Verify. Confirm your employer is enrolled before accepting an offer, and ensure your DSO has authorized your OPT so your I-9 documentation is complete from day one.
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Get Access To All JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Can F-1 OPT students legally work as Government Affairs Managers in the United States?
Yes. F-1 students authorized for OPT can work as Government Affairs Managers without any additional visa petition from the employer. Your OPT Employment Authorization Document (EAD) permits full-time employment in a role directly related to your field of study. Political science, public policy, international relations, and law degrees all map cleanly to this role for OPT eligibility purposes.
Does the government affairs field have specific restrictions for OPT workers?
There are no government-affairs-specific restrictions on OPT employment. However, if a role involves access to classified information or requires a federal security clearance, OPT students may be ineligible since clearances generally require U.S. citizenship or permanent residency. Roles at trade associations, corporate government affairs departments, and advocacy nonprofits typically have no such restrictions.
Which employers commonly sponsor Government Affairs Managers for H-1B visas?
Large corporations with dedicated public affairs teams, major trade associations, consulting firms specializing in regulatory affairs, and lobbying shops with significant client rosters are the most active H-1B sponsors in this space. You can browse Government Affairs Manager roles at sponsorship-open employers on Migrate Mate, which filters specifically for positions accessible to OPT and visa-sponsored candidates.
Does a STEM OPT extension apply to Government Affairs Manager roles?
It depends on your degree. If you hold a STEM-designated degree, such as a B.S. in a qualifying field, the 24-month STEM extension applies regardless of the job title, provided the role relates to your degree. Government affairs roles supported by economics, data analytics, or certain social science degrees may qualify. Confirm your degree's CIP code with your DSO before assuming eligibility.
How should I handle OPT authorization gaps when transitioning between government affairs employers?
OPT is tied to you, not your employer, so switching jobs is permitted as long as the new role relates to your degree and you report the change to your DSO within 10 days. However, USCIS considers more than 90 days of cumulative unemployment during your OPT period a violation of status. Minimize gaps and document your job search activity in case your DSO needs to verify compliance.
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