Director of Government Affairs and Senior Strategist

Reports to: Executive Director, Groundwork Action

Status: Full-time; exempt

Location: Washington DC

Are you passionate about creating an economy that prioritizes workers and families over corporate interests? Do you enjoy engaging with members of Congress and staff in support of economic narrative change and advocacy campaigns? Are you an experienced and strategic policy professional with relationships on Capitol Hill, with a particular focus on economic issues?

If this sounds like you, you might be the person we’re searching for to serve as the Director of Government Affairs and Senior Strategist for Groundwork Collaborative, a 501(c)(3) organization, and Groundwork Action, a 501(c)(4). 

Groundwork Collaborative fights to change economic policy and narratives in order to build public power, break up concentrations of private power, and deliver true opportunity and prosperity for all. Groundwork Action develops strategic and timely advocacy campaigns that beat back the neoliberal economic agenda and advance progressive economic priorities to improve the lives of working families. 

Position Summary

This position will lead in crafting the federal advocacy strategy for both organizations and serve as our chief liaison to Congress and the Administration. 

As Director of Government Affairs and Senior Strategist, you will…

• Build and drive an agenda for Groundwork Collaborative and Groundwork Action on all direct federal advocacy work, including macroeconomic monetary and fiscal policy, tax policy, IRS modernization, appropriations, and other priorities.
• Leverage relationships with policymakers to amplify Groundwork’s core messages and drive earned media.
• Develop written deliverables, including talking points, one-pagers, letters, testimony, and other materials for policymakers and staff.
• Lead and support lobbying visits, Congressional, White House, and agency staff briefings, hearings, and other engagement.
• Provide regular legislative updates summarizing Hill, Agency, and Administration activity.
• Develop deep dives on Congressional committees relevant to key issues.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

About You

• Committed to creating a just, inclusive, and robust economy that delivers opportunity and dignity to all.
• Relevant experience in government relations, including doing policy work on the Hill, in the Administration, or at other like-minded non-profits.
• Deep knowledge of federal economic policymaking institutions (including Congress, executive branch agencies, the White House, and the Federal Reserve).
• Proven strategic skills and experience setting organizational agendas. 
• Existing Congressional and Administration relationships and policy coalition networks.
• Strong written/verbal communication and presentation skills.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to drive work under tight deadlines in a dynamic and fast-paced environment.
• Ability to develop and drive work with minimal supervision.
• Excitement about thinking creatively and developing new strategies in order to secure advocacy wins.
• Experience interfacing directly and managing relationships with Executive Directors, senior staffers, and various principals in and out of government. 

The starting salary for this position is $150,000 with flexibility to offer a higher salary for highly-qualified candidates. We offer a generous benefits package, including three weeks of vacation, two weeks of personal leave, two week-long office closures, and additional time off for floating and federal holidays, zero-premium health insurance, a generous HRA, a retirement match of up to 6%, a minimum of 12 weeks paid parental leave, health club and cell-phone reimbursements, among other benefits.

We are a hybrid workplace, with two days a week in the office near Dupont Circle, and three days remote, as well as the occasional need to work in person for events and special projects. This role likely requires in-person meetings with external partners on days on which the rest of the office is remote.

The individual holding this position will work part-time for a coordinated project, Groundwork Action, in Sixteen Thirty Fund, a 501(c)(4) organization, under a resource sharing agreement between New Venture Fund and Sixteen Thirty Fund. The responsibilities of this position will be overseen by Sixteen Thirty Fund. 

How to apply

To begin the application process, please submit an application on our career page, including your resume and a cover letter detailing your interest in this role. 

This announcement will remain posted until the position is filled. 

E-Verify 

NVF participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with employees’ Form I-9 information to confirm authorization to work in the United States. Job candidates and employees authorized to work may not be discriminated against on the basis of national origin or citizenship status. 

New Venture Fund Careers

Groundwork Collaborative is a project of the New Venture Fund, a 501(c)(3) public charity that incubates new and innovative public-interest projects and grant-making programs. The New Venture Fund is committed to attracting, developing and retaining exceptional people, and to creating a work environment that is dynamic, rewarding, and enables each of us to realize our potential. The New Venture Fund’s work environment is safe and open to all employees and partners, respecting the full spectrum of race, color, religious creed, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, political affiliation, ancestry, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, and all other classifications protected by law in the locality and/or state in which you are working.