Associate Director, Government Operations -- Economic Policy

Bipartisan Policy Center • Washington, DC

8d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Bipartisan Policy Center (BPC) is seeking an Associate Director to lead its cross-organizational work on government operations and program integrity. This is a unique opportunity to shape BPC’s growing portfolio on one of the most consequential—and often overlooked—challenges in federal policymaking: ensuring that government programs are well-designed, efficiently administered, and accountable to taxpayers. The Associate Director will lead research and policy development on how the federal government can reduce improper payments, modernize data and technology infrastructure, and improve coordination across federal and state-administered programs. The role requires synthesizing complex policy questions into accessible recommendations for congressional and public audiences, evaluating legislative and administrative proposals against BPC’s program integrity principles, and working across BPC’s program teams to connect government operations to broader fiscal and economic policy goals. The Associate Director will also lead external engagement—building BPC’s convening authority through relationships with federal agency officials, congressional staff, inspectors general, and policy experts—and will help secure and steward grant funding to sustain and expand the portfolio. The ideal candidate is a strategic thinker, strong communicator, and experienced project leader who can effectively navigate complex policy environments while building consensus across diverse perspectives.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in public policy, political science, government, economics, public administration, law, communications, or a related field
• 7+ years of relevant professional experience in public policy, government, advocacy, nonprofit organizations, consulting, think tanks, public affairs, legislative affairs, or a related field
• Significant experience working on government operations, program integrity, or federal management issues, ideally in or with federal agencies such as GAO, OMB, Treasury, agency Offices of Inspector General, or agency CFO offices
• Familiarity with GAO’s improper payments framework and federal accountability mechanisms with knowledge of major benefits programs such as Medicare, Medicaid, SSI, SNAP, UI, and refundable tax credits
• 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
• Exceptional verbal communication skills, including experience preparing materials for senior policymakers and executive audiences
• Strong stakeholder management and relationship-building skills
• Demonstrated ability to think strategically while managing day-to-day execution
• 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
• Understanding of the interface between federal programs and state-administered programs, including the program integrity, efficiency, procurement, and compliance challenges that arise in intergovernmental contexts
• Knowledge of how government administrative and statistical data are used to inform program design, administration, and evaluation
• Demonstrated ability to build an organization’s reputation with Hill staff, executive branch officials, and national media as a credible, nonpartisan voice on government operations issues
• Experience supervising, mentoring, or managing professional staff
• Experience facilitating consensus-building efforts among stakeholders with differing viewpoints
• Experience supporting fundraising, donor engagement, grant development, or external partnerships
• Experience representing an organization publicly through speaking engagements, media interactions, or testimony
• Strong political acumen and ability to navigate complex policy and stakeholder environments
• Familiarity with the Economic Policy Program’s overall policy portfolio including fiscal, tax, and retirement security

Responsibilities

• Lead research and analysis on government operations, program integrity, and federal management topics and synthesize findings into briefs, explainers, and recommendations for policymakers and the public
• Evaluate legislative and administrative proposals against BPC’s program integrity principles and advance bipartisan legislative and administrative recommendations to strengthen program integrity, improve intergovernmental coordination, and modernize federal data and technology infrastructure
• Coordinate with BPC’s program teams to develop cross-cutting research and policy proposals that connect government operations to broader program and fiscal policy goals
• Lead substantive engagement with external stakeholders, including federal agency officials, congressional staff, inspectors general, policy experts, advocacy organizations, and funders to build BPC’s convening authority and influence on government operations issues. (This may include occasional travel)
• In partnership with the team’s leadership and BPC’s Development team, help steward grant funding to sustain and expand the government operations portfolio
• Collaborate with BPC’s communications, development, and operations teams to promote research externally, including through media engagement, Hill briefings, and public events, in ways that build BPC’s public profile on these issues
• Serve as a trusted advisor and subject matter resource to program leadership, project participants, and external partners
• Monitor and assess legislative, regulatory, political, and policy developments relevant to government operations and identify strategic opportunities for engagement
• Mentor and provide guidance to analysts, managers, and other staff members while fostering a collaborative and high-performing team culture

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: Mid Level