Government Relations Director

Title:                         Government Relations Director

Reports to:             Vice President, Government Relations

Job Summary:          The Government Relations Director oversees a Congressional strategic outreach portfolio, which provides policy guidance, educational events, fellowships, and trainings for current members of Congress and their staff, Congressional candidates, and allies in the conservative movement. The Director serves as a spokesperson for The Heritage Foundation and ensures Heritage policy positions are communicated to Hill audiences. The Director also informs Heritage analysts of emerging issues in Congress and spearheads opportunities for analysts to educate members of Congress and their staff.  The ideal candidate brings policy expertise in a critical issue set, such as foreign policy and defense (particularly related to China and the annual NDAA process), homeland security, border security and immigration, election integrity, or the federal bureaucracy and government operations, to effectively drive impact with policymakers.

Job Duties:

• Ensure Heritage policy positions are communicated effectively to the Hill through strategic policy briefings, technical assistance, retreats, fellowships, and working groups.
• Drive successful achievement of department priorities, including coordinating and leading coalition working groups on strategic priorities, using innovative approaches.
• Lead cross-departmental collaboration by representing government relations in one or more internal policy campaign teams.
• Represent Heritage policy positions to external audiences.
• Develop and foster strategic congressional relationships for the President of Heritage and attend Capitol Hill meetings with him.
• Coordinate Heritage Fellowship and staff training programs.

Qualifications:

Education:                   BA/BS required

Experience:                    5+ years of relevant experience. Previous Hill experience strongly preferred.

Communication:         Excellent writing, interpersonal, presentation, and public speaking skills

Technology:                Microsoft Suite

Other Requirements:           

• Understand and support the Heritage mission and vision for America, and the department’s goals and objectives.
• Promote policies consistent with Heritage’s priorities; speak with one voice.
• Proven experience in shaping policy related to a critical issue set, such as foreign policy and defense, homeland security, border security and immigration, election integrity, or the federal bureaucracy and government operations, aligning with Heritage’s mission.
• Strategic thinker, understanding of the importance of collaboration.
• Work well in a fast-paced environment.
• Extensive Hill relationships and advanced knowledge of issues before Congress and Congressional priorities.
• Clear articulation of Heritage policy positions to external stakeholders.

Benefits and Salary:

The Heritage Foundation offers a highly competitive benefits package that includes, but is not limited to, best-in-class health care, vision, and dental insurance, employer-sponsored retirement funding, “take what you need” PTO and sick leave, 14 weeks of paid leave for new moms and 6 weeks of paid leave for new dads, among other programs.

The salary range for this role is $115,000 - $125,000 annually. This range is a good-faith estimate, and the final salary offered to a selected candidate depends on a variety of factors including, but not limited to, the candidate’s experience, education, and other qualifications; internal and external market pay for comparable jobs; and level of hire based on aforementioned qualifications.