Job Details
Level: Experienced
Job Location: RFF – WASHINGTON, DC
Remote Type: N/A
Position Type: Full Time
Education Level: 4 Year Degree
Salary Range: $115,000.00 – $150,000.00 Salary/year
Travel Percentage: Negligible
Job Shift: Day
Job Category: Government
Description
Position Summary:
The Director, Government Affairs is responsible for growing RFF’s impact by developing and executing on a multi-year engagement strategy to identify, cultivate, and steward RFF’s relationships with policymakers and staff in the US Congress, within the Executive Office of the President, and key agencies and departments that are not potential funders. The Director will additionally manage RFF’s situational awareness of federal policy developments, including by proactively identifying opportunities for impact that can inform RFF’s research strategy. The salary range for this role will be $115,000-$150,000 or more depending on experience and candidate qualifications.
Position Responsibilities:
- Build and maintain effective relationships with the Hill (both parties and chambers, both staff and members), the Executive Office of the President, and key agencies and departments that are not potential funders, through regular contact, including personal visits and compelling written information that helps to deepen their awareness of RFF’s capabilities and interest in RFF’s expertise
- Track ongoing policy developments relevant RFF’s areas of research, with an eye toward future opportunities for RFF impact (either new research or contributions to conversations)
- Communicate information about ongoing policy developments to the Research and Policy Engagement (RPE) team, including through the development of summary materials of new policy developments
- Play a leadership role in coordinating RFF response to policy developments
- Lead the development of Government Affairs strategies for RFF programs and initiatives, working closely with Director, FCPI; Manager/Senior Manager, Government Engagement; and Program and Initiative Directors
- Lead the operations of the Government Affairs team as well as maintain comprehensive internal communications about RFF’s government activities.
- Work collaboratively with RPE team to achieve fluency and remain up to date on RFF research, priorities, and impact
- Ensure the most effective team is assembled and fully prepared for each significant Hill/EOP/non-funding agency interaction, including leading strategy and prep meetings, preparing briefing materials, and ensuring follow-up
- Review relevant documents produced within RFF designed to go to the Hill or EOP, as described in RFF’s publication review process
- Ensure that engagements between RFF staff and policymakers are tracked and documented as appropriate
- Other duties as assigned
Education:
- Bachelor’s degree in Communication, Public Relations, Business, or related field is required, Master’s degree preferred
- Any equivalent combination of training, education, and experience that demonstrates the ability to perform the essential functions of the position
Experience:
- 5+ years of related professional experience in government affairs, or equivalent combination of education and experience
- Experience developing relationships and designing high-touch stewardship strategies for government engagement, ideally in a research or policy context
- Experience managing teams and completing multiple projects with competing deadlines
- Experience writing reports, summaries, and other research-related materials for print and digital platforms for targeted internal and external audiences
Technical Requirements:
Proficiency in the following software programs is necessary for this role:
- Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook
- Internet Browsers (Firefox, Chrome, Internet Explorer)
- Internal communications platforms such as Microsoft Teams, Zoom, etc.
Compensation and Benefits:
- $115,000-$150,000
- 35-hour work week
- Flexible summer hours (4-day work week June-Sept)
- Flexible work arrangement policy (hybrid work)
- 11 paid holidays
- 4 weeks PTO to start, increases to 5 weeks after 5 years, in addition to 15 paid sick days per year
- Gym on site
- Deli on site
- Parking on site
- RFF contributes up to 15% of your salary to a 403(b)-retirement account, depending on employee age in addition to a 401(a)
- Commuter benefit plans (pre-tax metro and parking)
Physical Requirements
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, some standing, walking, sitting, bending, and carrying of light items such as books and papers is required.
Working Conditions
The work may involve everyday light risks and discomforts, which may require normal safety precautions typical of such places as offices, meetings, and training rooms, etc. The work area is adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
This position description may not describe all duties, responsibilities and skills associated with this position. It is intended to portray the major aspects of the job and is not meant to be all inclusive. Other duties or skills may be required.
Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
RFF (Resources for the Future) is committed to the letter and spirit of diversity, equity, and inclusion. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or national and ethnic origin in hiring and employment, nor in the administration and other programs. RFF’s Vision for a Diverse, Equitable, and Inclusive Future.
RFF has made the safety of our staff and community a top priority. As a part of that commitment, all staff and visitors are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, as defined by the CDC. RFF will require all staff and visitors to submit proof of complete vaccination against COVID-19 to work in our office.
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