Congressional Affairs/Policy Development Lead

JLL•Washington, DC

6d•$125,000 - $140,000•Remote

About The Position

JLL's Public Institutions group is seeking a mid- to senior-level professional to lead the Congressional affairs and policy development function of our advisory engagement supporting the Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of War for Housing (ODASW(H)). This role sits at the intersection of federal housing policy, defense legislation, and senior government advisory work. You will serve as the team's strategic voice on all policy and legislative matters, setting the direction for how issues are framed, analyzed, and communicated to inform and advise Department of War client decision-making and follow-on actions. You will work closely with subject-matter experts across the team's functional areas (e.g., credit and OMB scoring, construction and development, capital markets, financial modeling, and portfolio governance) to ground policy positions and Congressional correspondence in program reality. You will own the full legislative affairs lifecycle, from tracking statutory developments and Congressional correspondence to shaping hearing preparation materials and Department informal views and you will serve as the quality control checkpoint that ensures every policy deliverable is strategically sound and client-ready. This is not a position for someone who processes policy. It is a position for someone who shapes it.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in public policy, political science, law, government affairs, or a related field; advanced degree strongly preferred
10+ years of experience in legislative affairs, federal policy, or Congressional operations; exceptional candidates with a compelling record and fewer years will be considered
Experience at a policy-focused think tank, research institution, or defense/housing policy organization is highly valued
Familiarity with Department legislative processes, NDAA development, and privatized military housing, MILCON, or defense installation policy is a meaningful advantage
Exceptional written communication skills; candidates must be able to produce and edit at the level of Congressional testimony, formal Department correspondence, and senior leadership briefings — and hold others to that same standard
Strong analytical instincts and the ability to distill complex statutory or regulatory developments into clear, actionable guidance for senior clients
Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively across functional teams and with external stakeholders, including government partners and private sector counterparts
US citizenship required

Nice To Haves

Demonstrated experience working on or with Capitol Hill — as a Congressional staffer, agency legislative affairs professional, or in a closely adjacent capacity
Experience within a Department of War or Military Department legislative affairs, policy, or installations office
Ability to obtain a DoD Secret clearance required; prior clearance eligibility

Responsibilities

Establish the strategic framing for all policy and legislative correspondence before initial drafting begins, ensuring alignment with ODASW(H) priorities and the broader Department housing policy posture
Lead QA/QC review of all policy deliverables at the strategic level prior to client submission — including Congressional responses, legislative proposals, and hearing preparation materials
Lead the statutory and regulatory review of proposed MHPI transactions, including crosswalk of operating agreements against governing authorities and development of conditions of approval
Prepare Congressional notification packages for approved program actions, ensuring completeness, accuracy, and alignment with statutory reporting requirements
Track and analyze legislative developments affecting MHPI, including NDAA provisions, 10 USC authorities, and proposed statutory changes
Maintain standing oversight of NDAA enactment and implementation as it affects the MHPI portfolio, translating new provisions into program guidance
Prepare and review Department informal views, appeals of proposed legislation, and formal legislative proposals on behalf of ODASW(H)
Develop and maintain hearing preparation materials and draft responses to questions from Congressional members and committee staff
Monitor and analyze GAO and Inspector General actions, findings, and recommendations relevant to MHPI
Track DoDI updates and regulatory changes with policy implications for the MHPI portfolio
Support the development of housing policies, processes, and procedures across the MHPI enterprise, including analysis of BAH impacts and housing regulatory frameworks
Coordinate across the advisory team's functional lanes — credit and OMB scoring, construction and development, capital markets, financial modeling, and portfolio governance — to pull subject-matter input into policy products and Congressional correspondence
Engage directly with Military Department counterparts and private MHPI project owners to gather ground-level insights, project-specific data, and stakeholder perspectives that shape the development of policy positions and Congressional communications
Coordinate with Department senior leadership, OMB, and Congressional stakeholders on policy matters as needed