Associate Director/Director of Retirement and Financial Security

Bipartisan Policy Center • Washington, DC

4h • $110,000 - $160,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Bipartisan Policy Center (BPC) is seeking an Associate Director/Director to lead its retirement and financial security policy work. This role is crucial given the projected depletion of Social Security's primary trust fund by 2032 and anticipated legislative action on retirement savings. The ideal candidate will possess strong policy expertise, credibility, and relationships to foster bipartisan progress on Social Security solvency, the private-sector retirement savings system, and other financial security issues. This position reports to BPC’s Vice President of Economic Policy.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in public policy, political science, government, economics, public administration, law, communications, or a related field.
• 7-10+ years of relevant professional experience in public policy, government, advocacy, nonprofit organizations, consulting, think tanks, public affairs, legislative affairs, or related field.
• Experience working on Social Security solvency and knowledge of major benefits programs such as SSI, SSDI, Medicare, and Medicaid.
• Knowledge of the private-sector retirement savings system including ERISA and the SECURE/SECURE 2.0 Act provisions and regulatory implementation.
• Excellent writing and analytical skills, with the ability to produce clear, accessible materials for congressional and public audiences, including policy briefs, explainers, and media-facing content.
• Ability to perform quantitative analysis, such as with data from the Social Security Administration or Congressional Budget Office.
• Exceptional verbal communication skills and experience preparing materials for senior policymakers and executive audiences.
• Experience facilitating consensus-building efforts among stakeholders with differing viewpoints and strong political acumen and ability to navigate complex policy and stakeholder environments.
• Strong commitment to objective, evidence-informed analysis and bipartisan policymaking.
• Ability to work independently, exercise sound judgment, and manage competing priorities effectively.

Nice To Haves

• Advanced degree in public policy, public administration, economics, law, political science, or a related field.
• Experience working on Capitol Hill, within a federal agency, governor’s office, state legislature, think tank, trade association, advocacy organization, or similar institution.
• Experience elevating an organization’s public profile and representing an organization through national media engagement, including securing regular press mentions in relevant media outlets, as well as representing the organization on policy panels and other public forums.
• Expertise in various financial security issues, such as emergency savings.
• Demonstrated ability to build an organization’s reputation with Hill staff, executive branch officials, and national media as a credible voice on Social Security and retirement issues.
• Familiarity with the Economic Policy Program’s overall policy portfolio, including fiscal and tax policy.
• Experience supporting fundraising, donor engagement, grant development, or external partnerships.
• Experience working within SSA or DoL.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and strategic direction for BPC’s retirement and financial security research portfolio.
• Advise senior leadership and lead collaboration with internal stakeholders to align long-term goals.
• Brief Members of Congress and executive branch officials on Social Security solvency and on the private U.S. retirement system.
• Cultivate relationships with congressional staff and senior administration officials.
• Provide technical expertise on legislation and other proposals.
• Produce analytical research spanning Social Security, private-sector retirement savings, and other related topics.
• Synthesize and translate scholarly research into clear, accessible, and actionable content to inform federal policy development.
• Represent BPC at external engagements on issues of expertise (with occasional travel outside the Beltway).
• Develop and manage major institutional partnerships.
• Collaborate with BPC’s development team to devise fundraising strategy, helping secure project funding to ensure long-term programmatic sustainability.
• Oversee major research grants.
• Collaborate across policy teams, especially with BPC’s Health Program, on the overlap between health care costs and retirement security (including long-term care), and with BPC’s Human Capital team on workplace benefits and supports.
• Coach and mentor staff to foster personal growth and develop team’s capacity for impactful research and analysis.

Benefits

• Comprehensive health insurance benefits with a choice of open access HMO, POS, or PPO plan.
• 403(b) matching contributions of up to 7% of salary in addition to a non-elective contribution of 2% of salary (both after 90 days of employment).
• 15 vacation days, 2 personal days, 15 sick days, and 12 holidays per year.
• Education benefits up to $5,250 per year after one year of employment.
• $2,000 for professional development expenses after six months of employment.
• Metro benefits of up to $130 per month.
• Company provided life insurance.
• Dental and vision insurance coverage with a Flexible Spending Plan.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director