Director, Legislative Affairs

NeighborWorks America•Washington, DC

4d•$125,000 - $135,000•Hybrid

About The Position

NeighborWorks America is a national, nonpartisan nonprofit organization dedicated to making every community a place of opportunity for over 45 years. Our network comprises nearly 250 organizations across all states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. We provide grant funding, peer exchange, technical assistance, evaluation tools, and professional learning, serving as the nation's leading trainer for housing and community development professionals. Our network organizations contribute to their communities by developing affordable housing, offering financial counseling and coaching, fostering resident-led community building, and establishing partnerships in health, employment, and education. We are committed to building a high-performing work culture guided by core values of accountability, integrity, curiosity, courage, respect, and collaboration.

Requirements

A bachelor’s degree in public policy, political science, public administration, law, or related field preferred.
Minimum of eight (8) years of progressively responsible professional experience in legislative affairs, government relations, public policy, or related fields.
Significant experience working with Congress, including direct Capitol Hill experience or equivalent high-level federal engagement experience.
Demonstrated experience developing and executing strategic stakeholder engagement initiatives involving senior-level external audiences.
Exceptional strategic thinking and political acumen.
Advanced written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate effectively with executive, legislative, and external audiences.
Demonstrated ability to operate independently and exercise sound judgment in high-profile or politically sensitive environments.
Strong relationship management and coalition-building skills.
Ability to manage multiple complex initiatives simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.
Strong facilitation and public speaking skills.
Sensitivity to racial, gender, sexual orientation and cultural differences
Effective, respectful, and timely communications with internal and external stakeholders
Listening effectively, seeks and accepts feedback
Analytic, thoughtful and strategic thinking
Considering the mission, objectives, and goals of NeighborWorks and demonstrating an understanding of the impact of her/his/their decisions and behavior on the organization
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and virtual engagement platforms.

Nice To Haves

Experience designing or managing high-profile external engagement programs, convenings, or relationship management initiatives preferred.
Advanced degree in a related field.
Experience working within a national nonprofit, intermediary, trade association, or mission-driven organization engaged in federal legislative or public policy engagement activities.
Familiarity with federal appropriations and housing/community development policy.
Experience managing cross-functional stakeholder engagement initiatives.

Responsibilities

Independently develop and execute legislative engagement strategies for an assigned portfolio of Members of Congress, congressional committees, and congressional staff, cultivating and maintaining strategic bipartisan relationships in support of the organization.
Partner with the Vice President, Public Policy and Legislative Affairs to coordinate division-wide congressional engagement strategies and messaging and identify opportunities to strengthen awareness of the organization and its network.
Advise division and senior leadership on legislative developments, political dynamics, committee activity, and emerging congressional issues affecting the organization and its interests.
Collaborate across divisions to ensure legislative engagement efforts are in line with organizational priorities, communications strategies, and field activities.
Cultivate and maintain relationships with CEOs and executive leadership of affiliate organizations to support coordinated stakeholder engagement and strengthen affiliate relationships with congressional offices and committees.
Work in the development and oversight of a year-round congressional staff engagement and education strategy, including policy briefings, member showcases, town hall meetings, and informational sessions designed to increase awareness of the organization’s impact.
Co-direct with the Vice President of Legislative Affairs the organization’s Recess Site Visit Program, including strategic planning, coordination with member organization CEOs, congressional outreach, briefing development, and post-visit engagement strategy.
Represent the organization in meetings, briefings, coalition activities, conferences, and external forums involving Members of Congress, congressional staff, Federal agency officials, and other stakeholders.
Design and launch a strategic engagement initiative of key state and local elected officials, including governors, mayors, state legislators, county and city officials, and other civic leaders, positioning them as credible validators regarding the organization’s impact within communities represented by Members of Congress.
Build and maintain relationships with national organizations and trade associations representing governors, mayors, counties, and state legislatures to support engagement objectives.
Oversight of engagement-related budgets and legislative affairs initiatives.
Management of travel and event-related expenditures associated with congressional and stakeholder engagement activities.