Senior Director, Government Affairs

Summary

Join Jobs for the Future (JFF) as their Senior Director, Government Affairs! This newly created role is crucial in advancing JFF's policy agenda by driving legislative and executive engagement, developing policy proposals, and strengthening relationships with federal policymakers. You will lead JFF's government relations and legislative advocacy strategy, drafting legislative language and policy proposals. The ideal candidate possesses deep expertise in legislative and regulatory processes, strong relationships with federal policymakers, and exceptional communication skills. This position offers a competitive salary, comprehensive benefits, and the opportunity to contribute to JFF's mission of equitable economic advancement for all. JFF offers flexible work arrangements, including remote work options and an annual home office stipend.

Requirements

• You bring prior experience developing and executing complex advocacy strategies within the federal education and workforce policy space, with 8+ years of direct experience on Capitol Hill (New hires at the Senior Director level at JFF typically bring 15 years of prior professional experience through a combination of full-time, part-time, internship, and/or freelance positions)
• You have a track record of success with federal government relations, ideally representing and advocating for priorities on behalf of a nonprofit, advocacy organization, think tank, and/or membership association
• You bring a deep understanding of legislative and regulatory processes, federal budgeting, and appropriations, with experience drafting legislation, amendments, policy proposals, and other Congressional or federal agency-facing correspondence related to education, workforce, and poverty alleviation policy
• You have, and know how to effectively leverage, strong relationships with federal policymakers, including Congress and federal agencies
• You are collaborative and thrive on working directly with others in support of policy development and implementation
• You are skilled at convening stakeholders as a collation to advance joint legislative and policy priorities, with the ability to influence diverse stakeholders
• You have exceptional organizational skills and a keen attention to detail, with the judgment to manage competing priorities, and an ability to track and drive policy priorities
• You are a strong writer, with the ability to synthesize and communicate complex issues in clear and actionable ways to a multitude of audiences, and know how to draft high-quality legislative language, policy briefs, and comment letters
• You thrive in a fast-paced environment and can seamlessly pivot between being an individual contributor and working in close collaboration with others
• You model inclusive leadership, working effectively with diverse staff, and building and stewarding an organizational culture that embraces diversity, equity, and inclusion
• You possess high energy and passion for JFF’s mission and North Star, and the ability to apply JFF’s core values to all areas of your work

Responsibilities

• Lead JFF’s government relations and legislative advocacy strategy
• Develop and implement JFF’s federal government relations strategy to influence legislative and regulatory policy outcomes
• Draft legislative language, draft amendments, and prepare detailed policy proposals to advance JFF’s priorities
• Establish and maintain relationships with Congressional staff, administrative staff, and other policymakers
• Monitor and analyze federal legislation, regulatory developments, and appropriations processes, identifying opportunities to shape outcomes aligned with JFF’s mission
• Provide rapid response analysis of bills and policy proposals
• Model JFF’s commitment to DEI both internally and externally, including identifying opportunities to influence local and national policy priorities that increase equitable advancement for learners and workers
• Bring an entrepreneurial mindset to JFF’s policy work, pushing innovation and impact in support of JFF’s strategic priorities, while identifying new opportunities, technologies, and markets
• Contribute strategic leadership to JFF’s overall policy agenda and strategy
• Lead the creation of innovative policy solutions and advocacy strategies that reflect JFF’s mission and vision
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to design proposals that address emerging issues in workforce development, education, and poverty alleviation
• Provide expert advice to JFF’s leadership and Policy and Advocacy team on legislative processes, timelines, and strategies
• Serve as a key thought partner to JFF’s Policy and Advocacy team, providing legislative expertise and insights
• Mentor team members to strengthen their understanding of legislative processes and advocacy strategies
• Partner with cross-functional teams to ensure alignment of advocacy strategies with organizational goals
• Work closely with others across the Policy & Advocacy Unit, leveraging your specific content expertise and cross-sector perspective to connect the dots between different bodies of policy work and JFF’s priorities
• Help shape and contribute to a fundraising strategy for the Policy & Advocacy Unit in close collaboration with teammates
• Lead through times of change with adaptability, flexibility, curiosity, and asset-based thinking

Benefits

• Competitive salaries
• Comprehensive benefits program
• Flexibility
• Choice
• JFF has offices in Boston, Oakland, and Washington, DC; employees are welcome to use JFF office space to work in-person or hybrid, or completely remote
• To improve the employee experience and promote productivity while working remotely, JFF offers an annual home office stipend to all regular full-time and part-time employees
• In addition, new employees receive office equipment as needed
• The hiring range for this role is $140,000 - $175,000 annually, in alignment to JFF’s Senior Director salary band and our compensation philosophy