External Affairs Budget & Operations Manager

External Affairs Budget & Operations Washington, DC 12 months contract We are seeking a highly organized and detail-oriented professional to support the External Affairs team’s budget and operational processes. The ideal candidate will bring strong experience in budget forecasting, financial compliance, vendor management, and cross-functional coordination within a fast-paced environment. Key Responsibilities • Monitor and manage the External Affairs team budget, including day-to-day budget operations, ensuring accuracy and compliance with company financial policies. • Lead forecasting and budget auditing activities for high-spend programs, using sound judgment to ensure teams remain within approved budgets and compliance guidelines. • Partner with the finance team to forecast quarterly budgets and support accurate financial planning and reporting. • Independently manage budgets, negotiate with vendors, and handle stakeholder communications across internal and external teams. • Onboard vendors and ensure compliance with procurement and operational processes. • Serve as the team’s subject matter expert for budget management, onboarding workflows, and operational processes, providing guidance and support to stakeholders. • Meet regularly with External Affairs leads and collaborate with policy administrators to provide budget visibility, updates, and alignment across teams. • Manage end-of-year (EOY) budget deadlines and drive timely completion of all required activities. • Manage several cross-functional review processes end-to-end, including: • Intaking proposals • Updating trackers and documentation • Soliciting and organizing feedback • Coordinating approvals • Maintaining accurate records and audit trails • Communicate externally with vendors and outside counsel, while partnering internally with legal and compliance teams to ensure adherence to organizational policies and standards. • Support process improvements and operational efficiencies across budgeting and review workflows. Required Qualifications • 5+ years of experience in budget management, program management, operations, or a related field. • Proven experience managing large or high-spend budgets independently. • Strong forecasting, budget auditing, and financial tracking experience. • Experience negotiating with vendors and managing external partner relationships. • Demonstrated ability to work cross-functionally with finance, legal, compliance, policy, and operational teams. • Excellent organizational, analytical, and communication skills. • Strong attention to detail with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously. • Proficiency with productivity, financial management, and tracking tools (Excel, Google Sheets, project tracking systems, etc.). • Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively within cross-functional teams.