Director, Federal Policy

Self-Help•Washington, DC

5d•$117,000 - $153,738•Hybrid

About The Position

The Center for Responsible Lending (CRL), a nonpartisan nonprofit research and policy advocacy organization and an affiliate of Self-Help, is hiring a Director of Federal Policy for its Washington, D.C. team. The role leads CRL’s federal legislative and regulatory strategy and advances policies promoting financial fairness and economic opportunity. The Director works alongside CRL’s President and contributes to broader organizational strategy. The Director supervises the federal policy staff, sets goals, coaches team members, fosters an inclusive and collaborative team culture, and helps prioritize work. The role represents CRL in coalition meetings, congressional briefings, media interviews, and other public settings, while building relationships with coalition partners, industry contacts, and allies in consumer protection and civil rights. The Director also tracks and reports on team activities and helps leadership assess federal policy opportunities and constraints. This is a hybrid position based in Washington, D.C. Staff are expected in the office three days per week: Monday and Wednesday, plus a third day selected by the individual. Occasional travel may be required. Because CRL works across three time zones, leaders often make themselves available during evening hours. The anticipated compensation range is $117,000–$153,738 for the DC compensation area. Benefits include medical, dental, and vision insurance; an Employee Assistance Program; paid vacation, sick time, and holidays; paid parental leave; a 401(k) contribution and match; life and disability coverage; and tuition reimbursement. Employment with CRL may also provide an opportunity for student loan forgiveness, subject to applicable loan provisions.

Requirements

At least 8 years of progressive senior experience in federal policy; Hill, regulatory agency, or comparable experience is strongly preferred.
Supervisory experience and a track record of building strong, motivated teams.
Strong strategic thinking, writing, and communication skills, including the ability to write comment letters and deliver testimony.
Comfort representing an organization publicly, including in the media and on Capitol Hill.
A collaborative approach and ability to work in partnership with others.
A demonstrated commitment to racial and economic justice, including understanding how policy has shaped racial wealth disparities.
Passion for CRL’s mission and commitment to social justice work.

Nice To Haves

A JD, a master’s degree in public policy, or a background in consumer financial law.
Experience in civil rights, housing or mortgage lending, predatory lending, consumer law, or banking law.
Experience and skill in building relationships with external partners and cultivating collaboration.
Demonstrated commitment to public interest law, families of modest means, and communities of color, as well as experience with racial justice analysis and understanding how federal, state, and local policies contributed to and sustained racial wealth disparities.

Responsibilities

Lead CRL’s federal legislative and regulatory strategy and advance its policy agenda.
Monitor proposed legislation, draft policy proposals, and guide organizational positions on issues including mortgage lending and payday loans.
Oversee Hill and regulatory engagement, coordinating with issue teams to communicate CRL’s positions.
Supervise federal policy staff, set goals, coach staff, foster an inclusive team culture, and help prioritize resources.
Represent CRL in coalition meetings, congressional briefings, media interviews, and other public forums.
Build and deepen relationships with coalition partners, industry contacts, and allies in consumer protection and civil rights.
Contribute to CRL’s broader strategic discussions and help leadership understand federal policy opportunities and constraints.
Track and report on the team’s work to support organizational learning and improvement.

Benefits

Medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees and eligible dependents, with 80% to 100% of premiums paid by Self-Help depending on coverage selected.
Employee Assistance Program access.
Vacation accrued at 15 days per year.
Sick time accrued at 12 days per year.
11 paid holidays.
Paid parental leave of 12–16 weeks, prorated for staff with less than one year of service.
401(k) match: a 3% company contribution plus an additional dollar-for-dollar match on the first 6% contributed by the employee.
CRL-paid life insurance of $50,000, long-term disability coverage, and accidental death and dismemberment coverage.
Tuition reimbursement.
Potential eligibility for student loan forgiveness through employment with a 501(c)(3) organization, subject to applicable loan provisions.