Director of Government and Strategic Relations

Unbound Now • Austin, TX

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Director of Government and Strategic Relations is Unbound Now’s senior external-affairs leader. The role advances the organization’s mission through relationships with government and quasi-government bodies, nonprofits, faith organizations, philanthropic partners, and media. The Director advises the CEO on public policy and partnership strategy and represents the organization in legislative, regulatory, coalition, and public settings. This is an individual-contributor position that relies on influence, credibility, and coalition-building rather than managerial authority; it has no direct reports and works with limited supervision.

The position is based in Austin, Texas, with hybrid or remote work and required active on-site presence for scheduled team meetings, executive briefings, stakeholder sessions, and legislative demands. Work also takes place in standard office settings, partner agency facilities, and field environments. The role requires frequent regional and multi-office travel, occasional evening and weekend events, and a heavier workload during legislative sessions. The stated schedule is generally 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, with an anticipated 40–50 hours per week.

The Director leads government engagement at the federal, state, and local levels; develops and executes government-relations strategy; monitors policy and budget activity; prepares leaders and materials for official proceedings; pursues mission-aligned public funding and partnerships; and ensures compliance with lobbying and nonprofit political-activity rules. The role also builds relationships with public-private bodies, nonprofits and coalitions, faith communities, philanthropic partners, and media; identifies potential markets and partnership opportunities; tracks relationship activity in the organization’s CRM; and reports outcomes to the CEO.

The Director reports to the Unbound Now CEO and works with the Executive Team, Development Team, Regional Directors, and headquarters staff. The role requires a bachelor’s degree and at least 10 years of progressive related experience, along with demonstrated policy or legislative results, strong communication and relationship-building skills, and willingness to travel and work irregular hours during legislative sessions. A mature Christian faith and commitment to Unbound Now’s vision, mission, and values are required. Compensation is an annual salary; no salary amount is provided.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree and at least 10 years of progressive experience in government relations, public policy, advocacy, or a related field.
• Demonstrated record of advancing legislative, budget, or policy goals at the state level.
• Established relationships, or a proven ability to build them quickly, across government, the nonprofit sector, and the philanthropic community.
• Strong knowledge of the legislative and budget process, nonprofit lobbying rules, and limits on political activity for tax-exempt organizations.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including testimony, briefings, and media interviews.
• Comfort with and respect for the organization’s mission and values.
• Willingness to travel and work irregular hours during legislative sessions.
• Mature Christian faith, evidenced by participation in a local Christian church, and thorough commitment to Unbound Now’s vision, mission, and values.
• Pass employment eligibility verification (Form I-9); provide supervisor, professional, and personal references; and pass required criminal background checks, including the DFPS criminal history check and abuse and neglect registry check.
• Ability to follow organizational policies and procedures, complete required annual trainings, and submit timesheets, grant allocations, travel reimbursements, and expense documentation on time.
• Commitment to data security, donor privacy, and survivor confidentiality protocols.
• Ability to develop, operationalize, and execute strategies aligned with Unbound Now’s strategic plan; strong leadership and relationship-management ability; and a track record of success in nonprofit development.
• Ability to engage regional staff, volunteers, donors, advisory board members, and community leaders; build trust; and collaborate across organizational levels.
• Deep understanding of human trafficking and Unbound Now’s core programs and operations, and ability to serve as a collaborative brand steward across regional offices.
• Valid driver’s license, reliable personal vehicle, and proper insurance coverage; ability to operate the vehicle for work-related regional travel.
• Ability to sit for long periods at a computer, participate in frequent video calls, perform repetitive keyboarding, and sometimes lift up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to maintain close visual attention to detail and prolonged mental concentration.

Nice To Haves

• Federal and local government-relations experience.
• Juris Doctor or master’s degree in public policy, public administration, law, or a related field.
• Prior experience working directly with a CEO or executive team and a governing board.
• Experience in the anti-trafficking movement.
• Experience working with faith communities, coalitions, or philanthropic funders.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute an annual government-relations strategy and policy agenda aligned with the organization’s mission and priorities, in consultation with the CEO and board.
• Build and maintain relationships with elected officials, government agency leaders, legislative and committee staff, governors’ and mayors’ offices, and county and municipal officials.
• Monitor legislation, budgets, rulemaking, and appropriations at all levels; analyze impacts and brief the CEO and leadership team in clear, actionable terms.
• Prepare and deliver testimony, comments, position papers, fact sheets, and talking points; prepare the CEO and other leaders for hearings and official meetings.
• Develop and advocate for annual legislative and budget priorities during legislative sessions, interim hearings, and agency stakeholder processes.
• Pursue public funding, contracts, and policy partnerships that advance the mission, in collaboration with program and finance leaders.
• Ensure compliance with lobbying registration and reporting, gift and ethics rules, and restrictions on nonprofit political activity, coordinating with legal counsel as needed.
• Represent the organization and support other leaders serving on commissions, task forces, advisory councils, and intergovernmental or public-private partnerships.
• Cultivate peer organizations, trade and membership associations, and advocacy coalitions; join or lead mission-aligned groups when they advance shared goals.
• Develop and steward relationships with denominations, congregations, ministry networks, and faith leaders as partners, advocates, and supporters.
• Work with the CEO and development team to engage foundations, major donors, and corporate funders around policy and partnership priorities, including joint-funding opportunities.
• Build media relationships; serve as a spokesperson and subject-matter voice on policy issues; coordinate with communications staff on op-eds, interviews, and responses to breaking issues.
• Identify and represent the organization in emerging markets and potential expansion opportunities; advise on new markets and recommend partnership priorities.
• Track relationship activity in the organization’s CRM and report regularly to the CEO on outcomes.
• Manage departmental resources, software subscriptions, and vendor contracts responsibly within allocated budget guidelines.
• Participate in staff devotions and provide consistent prayer support for the ministry, donors, and volunteers.
• Follow organizational policies and procedures, complete required annual training, and submit timesheets, grant allocations, travel reimbursements, and expense documentation on time.
• Protect data security, donor privacy, and survivor confidentiality; maintain ethical conduct and adhere to organizational procedures.
• Travel as required, maintain weekly contemporaneous travel logs through TripLog, and submit travel details in accordance with organizational and IRS accountable-plan guidelines.

Benefits

• Employer-paid medical premiums for the employee and their family.
• Employer-paid life insurance for the employee.
• 403(b) retirement plan with a 3% salary match, eligible after 90 days, with one-year vesting.
• Dental and vision plans available at the employee’s expense.
• Reimbursement of official travel expenses and personal-vehicle mileage through payroll via TripLog, subject to organizational guidelines and IRS standard mileage rates.

What This Job Offers

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