Senior Director

Center Road•Washington, DC

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

Center Road seeks a politically savvy Senior Director to lead an expanding portfolio of mission-driven nonprofit and foundation clients, with a focus on Health or Education policy. This high-impact role is intended for a policy and federal affairs professional with substantial Capitol Hill experience, a strategic mindset, and the ability to work effectively with moderate networks and conservative stakeholders. The position is contingent upon a pending contract award, with an anticipated start in Q1 2027. The Senior Director will lead large client accounts, technical projects, and internal teams with considerable autonomy. The role combines strategic client leadership and project execution with federal legislative and regulatory advocacy. The Senior Director will help build bipartisan consensus and advance policy outcomes for women, children, and families. The role is based in Washington, DC, with a hybrid schedule, and reports to the CEO, with project management from a Principal as applicable. Center Road Solutions is a woman-owned, bipartisan boutique firm serving mission-driven organizations. The firm describes its culture as mentorship-driven, passionate, collaborative, and focused on structural change.

Requirements

5–8 years of direct, full-time experience in a federal legislative, agency, or policy-focused role.
Capitol Hill experience serving on or working extensively with relevant committees is highly preferred; applicants from the Hill should be at the Senior Legislative Assistant or Legislative Director level.
A strong client-service and team-first approach, including taking ownership of client needs and addressing challenges or disagreements diplomatically and constructively.
A track record of independently achieving at least one significant federal policy victory, defined as passage of a new or reauthorized authorizing statute, an appropriations increase above the previous fiscal year's baseline, or significant and measurable advancement of federal regulations.
Demonstrated success independently securing significant bipartisan co-sponsorships from members of relevant authorizing or appropriations committees.
Functional alignment with and comfort working closely with moderate policy frameworks and conservative stakeholders to achieve bipartisan outcomes.
Exceptional congressional writing skills, and the ability to synthesize data and explain complex policy clearly to lay audiences and client boards.
Deep subject-matter expertise in Health or Education policy, including direct familiarity with behavioral health.

Nice To Haves

Direct federal lobbying experience at a nonprofit, association, or multi-client lobbying firm; for candidates with only Hill experience, direct internal lobbying with committee staff.
Trusted relationships with staff on relevant House and Senate committees of jurisdiction, including authorizing or appropriations committees.
Experience working closely with or directly within nonprofit organizations and foundations.

Responsibilities

Partner with the CEO and, as applicable, the Principal to co-own client relationships and project strategy, while independently managing tactical execution and projects with minimal oversight.
Represent client policy goals in national coalitions, task forces, and external stakeholder working groups, building consensus among stakeholders with competing interests.
Direct and collaborate with internal project teams to deliver high-quality work.
Supervise or direct junior staff and interns, including holding regular meetings, providing direction, maintaining accountability, and giving growth-oriented feedback.
Improve internal and external processes.
Execute legislative and regulatory advocacy campaigns across the Legislative and Executive branches, with an emphasis on building support among Republican and conservative stakeholders.
Monitor federal legislative developments and gather political intelligence.
Draft policy briefs, regulatory comments, and original legislation for Congress and federal agencies, typically the Department of Education and the Department of Health and Human Services.
Build support and advance bipartisan legislation, including seeking opportunities for swift introduction within tight timeframes.

Benefits

Annual discretionary bonus based on individual performance and firm results.
Flexible hybrid scheduling and a minimum 35-hour work week.
Health insurance.
401(k) with employer match.
Commission opportunities based on company policies.
Professional development stipend.
One-time home office setup stipend.
30 vacation/sick days per year.
12 weeks of paid parental leave.
Serious medical leave and bereavement leave.
All federal holidays except Veterans Day.
Extended office closures, including the weeks between Christmas and New Year’s Day, Good Friday through Easter Monday, and the Friday after Thanksgiving.