Director of Government Affairs

Reports to: Vice President of Government Affairs
Status: Full-time; Exempt
Location: Washington D.C. This is a hybrid workplace, with Mondays and Wednesdays in the office and three days remote, as well as the occasional need to work in person for events and special projects. 
Overtime Status: Exempt 
Salary: $145K-$179K

About Groundwork Collaborative

Launched in 2018, 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.

Position Summary

This is a pivotal moment for economic policymaking. As Groundwork’s Director of Government Affairs, you will lead direct, substantive engagement with Congress and the executive branch, shape the strategy for how we engage with policymakers, and connect Groundwork’s experts, research, and messaging with the lawmakers and staff who need them. Reporting to the Vice President of Government Affairs, you will serve as a senior member of Groundwork’s Partnerships and Influence team.

Groundwork’s impact has grown considerably in recent years, powered by a best-in-class government affairs program that makes our research, policy, and communications work accessible for elected officials and their staff. If you know how to shape a government engagement agenda, build durable relationships across Washington, and represent an organization with credibility and impact, the role was built for you. 
 

As Groundwork’s Director of Government Affairs, you will…

• Partner with the Vice President of Government Affairs and Associate Director of Congressional Affairs to design and drive an outreach strategy that advances both immediate and long-term economic policy priorities.
• Broaden and deepen relationships with congressional committees and offices to amplify Groundwork’s core messages.
• Serve as Groundwork’s liaison to the federal government, spotting and seizing opportunities for strategic engagement.
• Craft sharp, persuasive materials for policymakers and their staff including but not limited to talking points, fact sheets, letters, testimony, and more.
• Lead meetings, briefings, hearing prep, and other high-stakes engagement with government officials and staff.
• Keep colleagues informed on legislative and executive branch activity.
• Proactively communicate across internal and external stakeholders.
• Support and mentor staff members, especially those on the Partnerships and Influence team.
• Serve as a trusted thought partner and technical resource to the team and organizational leadership on all things government.
• Move fast when news breaks, analyzing and responding to Congressional and executive developments in real time. 

Qualifications

• You bring relevant experience in government relations, legislative work on the Hill, congressional affairs work in the executive branch, and/or government affairs work at a nonprofit organization.
• You are experienced in preparing witnesses for congressional committee hearings.
• You have a commitment to creating a just, inclusive, and robust economy that delivers opportunity and dignity to all.
• You bring a strong familiarity with federal economic policymaking institutions (including Congress, executive branch agencies, and the White House).
• You bring existing government staff relationships and policy coalition networks.
• You write and speak with clarity and persuasion.
• You are highly organized and thrive driving work forward under tight deadlines in a fast paced environment.
• You think creatively and bring an entrepreneurial drive to developing new strategies that secure advocacy wins.
• You have experience interfacing directly and managing relationships with government officials and senior staff. 

Research shows that candidates from underrepresented backgrounds often hesitate to apply unless they meet every qualification. If this role excites you and you meet most — but not all — of these criteria, we encourage you to apply.

The salary range for this role is $145,000 - $179,000 annually. 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 contribution of up to 6%, up to 16 weeks parental leave, and health club and cell-phone reimbursements, among other benefits. We are a hybrid workplace, with two days a week in the office and three days remote, as well as the occasional need to work in person for events and special projects. Groundwork is a unionized workplace and is represented by the Nonprofit Professional Employees Union (NPEU). This position is not in the bargaining unit.

How to apply
To begin the application process, please submit an application on our career page, including a resume and cover letter. The cover letter should describe your specific experience related to this position and what excites you about this work
Thank you for your interest!