Director, Policy, Strategy and Engagement

RF Catalytic Capital, Inc.•Washington, DC

3d•$185,000 - $225,000

About The Position

Breakwater Initiative is a lean, action-oriented project with a single north star: finding the very best ideas to support workers through the AI transition 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 ideas, institutions, and models that will shape the future of work and our social contract. Our work spans three pillars: building the policy agenda and intellectual infrastructure to force a response commensurate with the moment; testing new approaches in sectors and communities, and scaling what works; and engaging ordinary people in building an affirmative vision for what comes next. We are fiercely independent — responsible to the public interest, not beholden to any lab or other 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 program from the ground up at a moment when the questions it tackles are among the most consequential in modern American economic and cultural life. The Opportunity Breakwater Initiative seeks a Director, Policy, Strategy and Engagement to drive the policy strategy behind AI 2028 — the organization's flagship advocacy agenda— and to help coordinate its development. This role will report to the Policy Managing Director and will be responsible for moving Breakwater's ideas into the mainstream: identifying who needs to be reached, building the relationships and assets to reach them, and making sure the agenda is not just intellectually sound but practically viable. This is a role for savvy policy thinker someone who knows whom to call, which rooms matter, and how decisionmakers and advocates actually think. The Director will own Breakwater's engagement with decisionmakers across the federal and state levels, build a network of champions and validators across the political spectrum, and bring hard, practical judgment to the policy development process. The Director will lead Breakwater's advocacy engagement strategy and relationships directly, working with consultants and advisors as required to deliver on our ambitious agenda for a people-centered AI economy. The org chart is flat, the strategy is evolving, and some days the most important work will not appear on any job description. The right person is energized by that and is comfortable exercising discretion and judgement in uncertain situations, collaborating with others as needed.

Requirements

Generally expected to have ten or more years of experience across some mix of campaigns, government, and issue advocacy, with a demonstrated ability to move an idea into the public discourse
Proven stakeholder-management experience
Genuine comfort and skill working across the ideological spectrum — not just tolerance for it, but the ability to find the messages that land with diverse audiences, to build deep relationships with disparate stakeholders, and to maintain broad credibility while doing so
Experience and comfort working closely with operational and compliance personnel
Demonstrated experience engaging key decisionmakers and public figures with sound judgment about timing and positioning
Sound policy instincts and the ability to organize complex, multi-source input into something coherent
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 with a fast-paced environment, exercising discretion and judgement in uncertain situations, collaborating with others as needed, and knowing when to escalate
Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to move between a campaign audience, a policy 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 the influence strategy for coming years: identify the public figures and decisionmakers most likely to be influential on this issue, and build the relationships and assets to reach them
Own and lead Breakwater's outreach to policymakers at the federal and state levels, serving as a trusted, credible presence
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 — nonpartisan policy workshops, boot camps, retreats, and scenario-planning sessions 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 broader values and priorities
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 our engagement function and capacity
Support the policy development process, bringing ideas and input key stakeholders across the ideological spectrum to help shape a high impact agenda to build an AI economy accessible to all?
Support strategic communications, helping shape how Breakwater's ideas land with policy, decisionmaker, and media audiences
Support fundraising through contributions to pitches and donor materials