Associate Director of Congressional Affairs

Reports to: Director of Government Affairs and Senior Strategist

Status: Full-time; exempt

Location: Washington DC

Launched in 2018, the Groundwork Collaborative is driven by the idea that We Are The Economy: when all of us are doing well, that is when our economy thrives. We fight for progressive economic policy and narrative change that builds accountable public power, breaks up concentrations of private power, and affirmatively centers people too long left out of prosperity. We understand that taken together, these actions will lead to a stronger and more resilient economy.  

Groundwork’s unique structure – part strategic communications, part think tank, and part issue advocacy organization – allows us to drive narrative and policy change with credibility, expertise, and impact. We work across four core audiences – the media, policymakers, economic experts, and grasstops leaders – and use targeted policy campaigns and timely research and messaging to advance a truly inclusive economic worldview. 

We’re savvy, strategic thinkers who know how to spot an opportunity to advance our worldview and influence national economic policy debates, identify new audiences for Groundwork’s resources, and support and amplify the great work our partners are already doing so we’re all better aligned to achieve our common goals. We’re fearless in our approach to narrative change and are focused more on how to make the right economic messages popular tomorrow than we are on the poll-tested messages of today.

We are seeking an Associate Director of Congressional Affairs for Groundwork Collaborative, a 501(c)(3) organization, and Groundwork Action, a 501(c)(4). 

Position Summary

The Associate Director of Congressional Affairs will be a member and leading advisor on Groundwork’s Policy, Advocacy, and Research team, directly reporting to the Director of Government Affairs and Senior Strategist. The Associate Director will engage in direct and substantive outreach to Congress, develop strategies for congressional engagement, and disseminate Groundwork materials to congressional stakeholders. The Associate Director will serve as a lead advisor to the Director of Government Affairs and Senior Strategist, the Chief of Policy and Advocacy, and Groundwork senior leadership. The Associate Director will work closely with other members of Groundwork's Policy, Advocacy, and Research team, staff across the organization, and external partners to shape a congressional engagement agenda and represent Groundwork and its work on Capitol Hill.

As Associate Director of Congressional Affairs, you will…

• Work closely with the Director of Government Affairs and Senior Strategist to carry out a strategy for Groundwork Collaborative and Groundwork Action on congressional advocacy work on ongoing and long-term economic policy priorities.
• Broaden and deepen relationships with Congressional committees and offices to amplify Groundwork’s core messages.
• Serve as liaison between Congress and Groundwork to identify and execute opportunities for strategic engagement.
• Develop written deliverables, including talking points, emails, fact sheets, letters, testimony, and other materials for policymakers and staff.
• Support lobbying visits, briefings, hearings, and other engagement with the Hill.
• Track and update Groundwork staff on legislative and executive branch activity.
• Proactively communicate across internal and external stakeholders.
• Support and mentor staff members, especially those on the policy and research team
• Serve as a thought partner and provide technical assistance for the Director of Government Affairs and Senior Strategist, Chief of Policy and Advocacy, and Executive Director on all things related to Congress.
• Demonstrate rapid response capacity by quickly analyzing and reacting to breaking congressional developments or news events. 
• Perform other duties as assigned.

About You

• Relevant experience in congressional relations, including 3+ years of policy or communications work on the Hill and/or congressional affairs work in the executive branch.
• Committed to creating a just, inclusive, and robust economy that delivers opportunity and dignity to all.
• Strong familiarity with federal economic policymaking institutions (including Congress, executive branch agencies, and the White House).
• Existing Congressional staff relationships and policy coalition networks.
• Creative and entrepreneurial attitude. 
• Strong written/verbal communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to drive work under tight deadlines in a dynamic and fast-paced environment.
• Excitement about thinking creatively and developing new strategies in order to secure advocacy wins.
• Experience interfacing directly and managing relationships with senior Hill staffers and Congressional committee staff. 

 The salary range for this position is $97,000 - $134,000.

We offer a generous benefits package, including five weeks of vacation and personal leave, two week-long office closures, additional time off for floating and federal holidays, zero-premium health insurance, a generous HRA, a retirement match of up to 6%, 12 weeks of paid parental leave with an option to take an additional 4 weeks unpaid, 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.

Groundwork is a unionized workplace and is represented by the Nonprofit Professional Employees Union (NPEU). This position is in the bargaining unit and is covered under the terms of the collective bargaining agreement.

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. 

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.

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.