Director of Government and Strategic Relations

Unbound Now • Austin, TX

2d • 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 the media. The Director advises the CEO on public policy and partnership strategy and represents Unbound Now 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, and it has no direct reports.

The role develops and executes government-relations and policy strategies; monitors and explains legislation, budgets, rulemaking, and appropriations; prepares testimony and other policy materials; and pursues public funding, contracts, and policy partnerships. It also cultivates strategic relationships across public, nonprofit, faith, philanthropic, and media communities; represents the organization in coalitions and advisory settings; identifies potential expansion opportunities; and tracks and reports relationship outcomes to the CEO.

The position reports to the Unbound Now CEO and works with the Executive Team, Development Team, Regional Directors, and HQ staff. It is based in Austin, Texas, with a hybrid/remote arrangement and mandatory on-site presence for scheduled meetings and other organizational needs. The work takes place in office settings, partner agency facilities, and field environments. Frequent travel is required, as are occasional evenings and weekends; workload may increase 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.

Candidates must support Unbound Now’s Christian faith, mission, and values, including participation in a local Christian church, staff devotions, and prayer support for the ministry, donors, and volunteers. The role also requires compliance with organizational policies and procedures, background checks, required training and reporting, and strict data security, donor privacy, and survivor confidentiality practices. A valid driver’s license, reliable insured personal vehicle, and ability to drive for work-related travel are required.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree.
• 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.
• Strong knowledge of legislative and budget processes, nonprofit lobbying rules, and limits on political activity for tax-exempt organizations.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including testimony, briefings, and media interviews.
• Established relationships, or a proven ability to build them quickly, across government, the nonprofit sector, and the philanthropic community.
• 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.
• Active participation in staff devotions and consistent prayer support for the ministry, donors, and volunteers.
• Pass employment eligibility verification; provide three references; and agree to and pass required criminal background checks, including the DFPS criminal history check and abuse and neglect registry check.
• Abide by Unbound Now policies and procedures, including abuse prevention, travel reimbursement, internal controls, annual trainings, time-sheet and grant-allocation submissions, and expense documentation.
• Demonstrate integrity, emotional maturity, self-direction, trustworthiness, adaptability, and commitment to transparency and ethical conduct.
• Maintain strict adherence to data security, donor privacy, and survivor confidentiality protocols.
• Demonstrated ability to develop, operationalize, and execute strategies aligned with Unbound Now’s strategic plan.
• Strong leadership, relationship-management, and nonprofit-development experience with a track record of success.
• Ability to inspire and engage regional staff, volunteers, donors, advisory board members, and community leaders, building trust and collaborating across organizational levels.
• Deep understanding of human trafficking and Unbound Now’s core programs and operations, with the ability to maintain a hope-filled posture and serve as a collaborative brand steward across regional offices.
• Valid driver’s license, reliable personal vehicle, proper insurance coverage, and 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, sometimes lift up to 50 pounds, and sustain close visual attention 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 federal, state, and local levels; analyze their impact 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, working 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 Unbound Now leaders 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 where doing so advances 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 relationships with reporters, editors, and producers; 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 Unbound Now in emerging markets or potential expansion opportunities and risks; advise on new markets and recommend partnership priorities.
• Track relationship activity in the organization’s CRM and report regularly to the CEO on outcomes.
• Comply with organizational policies, required annual trainings, time-sheet and grant-allocation procedures, travel reimbursement requirements, and expense documentation guidelines.
• Manage departmental resources, software subscriptions, and vendor contracts responsibly within allocated budget guidelines.
• Maintain a valid driver’s license, reliable personal vehicle, and proper insurance coverage for work-related regional travel.

Benefits

• Employer-paid medical premiums for the employee and family.
• Employer-paid life insurance for the employee.
• 403(b) retirement savings 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, following organizational guidelines and IRS standard mileage rates.

What This Job Offers

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