Director, Policy and Advocacy

RF Catalytic Capital, Inc.•Washington, DC

22h•$185,000 - $225,000

About The Position

AI will upend work as we know it. Breakwater Initiative is a new, action-oriented policy shop with a single north star: finding the very best ideas to support workers through AI's economic transformation and laying the groundwork for an economy that enables people to have purpose, agency, and the ability to thrive. We do not study the problem from a distance. We conceptualize, test, and scale the policies, institutions, and models that will shape the future of work and our social contract. Our work spans three pillars: building the big ideas, policy agenda, and public infrastructure to support a response commensurate with the moment; testing new approaches and scaling what works; and engaging ordinary people in building an affirmative vision for what comes next. We are fiercely independent and nonpartisan: responsible to the public interest, not beholden to any lab, party, or private interest. That independence is the basis for the broad public trust this work demands. Breakwater is in its founding phase, currently operating as a fiscally sponsored project of RF Catalytic Capital, Inc. This is a rare opportunity to build an institution from the ground up at a moment when the questions it tackles are among the most consequential in American economic and civic life.

Requirements

Generally expected to have ten or more years of experience across some mix of government, campaigns, and issue advocacy, with a demonstrated ability to move an idea into the public debate
Proven stakeholder-management experience
Genuine comfort and skill working across the political spectrum
Demonstrated experience engaging, key decisionmakers and public figures with sound judgment about timing and positioning
Sharp advocacy instincts paired with sound policy judgment, and the ability to organize complex, multi-source input into something coherent
Familiarity with the rules governing nonprofit engagement with government and campaigns, or the willingness to learn them quickly and operate within them
Experience setting strategy independently and making resourcing decisions with significant organizational impact; ability to anticipate risk and plan for contingencies
A high tolerance for ambiguity and a self-starter's instinct: comfortable moving in a fast paced environment exercising discretion and judgment in uncertain situations and knowing when to escalate
Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to move between a policy audience, a decisionmaker audience, and a funder audience without losing credibility
Bachelor's degree (or equivalent experience)
High integrity, intellectual curiosity, and a deep commitment to economic fairness, worker dignity, and the responsible development of AI

Nice To Haves

Direct government experience is a strong plus: on the Hill, in a governor's office, or in an administration
The ability to get up to speed fast on a compelling issue; familiarity with AI, economic policy, and labor is helpful but not essential

Responsibilities

Set and own Breakwater's engagement strategy: identify the public figures and decision makers of all parties most likely to shape the debate on AI and work, and build the relationships and materials to reach them
Serve as Breakwater's primary point of contact policymakers and thought leaders seeking to understand AI's impact on workers
Lead Breakwater's outreach to policymakers and senior staff in Congress, the executive branch, governors' offices, and state legislatures, serving as a trusted, credible presence in those rooms
Build and manage a network of champions and validators across the political spectrum whose buy-in helps the agenda land with the right audiences
Design and execute immersive agenda buy-in moments: policy workshops, boot camps, retreats, and scenario-planning sessions that bring together policymakers and advisors from across the political spectrum and are built to generate genuine ownership of the agenda before it launches
Execute the engagement strategy, anticipating risks, developing contingency plans, and ensuring alignment with Breakwater's values, nonpartisan commitments, and priorities
Manage Breakwater's lobbying and engagement compliance in coordination with the fiscal sponsor's compliance team
Make sound judgments about where to invest Breakwater's relationship capital and its staff and consultant resources for the highest impact, including the effective use of a consultant bench
As the organization grows, build out the government affairs and engagement function and infrastructure
Support the policy development process, bringing ideas and input from key stakeholders across the ideological spectrum to help shape a high-impact agenda
Support strategic communications, helping shape how Breakwater's ideas land with policymaker, decisionmaker, and media audiences
Support fundraising through contributions to pitches and donor materials