Associate Director Jobs

About The Position

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree and at least five years of relevant professional experience in public policy, government, applied research, advocacy, or a related field.
• Experience working in or closely with the federal legislative or policymaking process.
• Familiarity with one or more domestic policy areas related to Social Finance’s work, such as finance, economic development, workforce development, government effectiveness, or philanthropy.
• Experience conducting research or policy analysis and translating findings into practical recommendations.
• Demonstrated experience working with policymakers, constituents, coalitions, external partners, or other diverse stakeholders.
• Exceptional writing and editing skills, including the ability to communicate complex information clearly to policymaking and nontechnical audiences.
• Strong analytical and critical-thinking skills, intellectual curiosity, and sound judgment.
• Nuanced understanding of the political and policy environment and ability to operate effectively in a nonpartisan organization.
• Ability to manage complex projects, competing priorities, and multiple deadlines with strong organization and attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently, take initiative, set priorities, and solve problems while collaborating effectively with colleagues.
• Strong interpersonal and verbal communication skills, including comfort engaging senior policymakers and organizational leaders.
• Permanent authorization to work in the United States on a full-time basis.

Nice To Haves

• Prior congressional, committee, or federal policy service is strongly preferred.
• Experience developing policy proposals, legislative materials, regulatory comments, or other products for government audiences.
• Experience managing external research partnerships or multi-organization projects.
• Established relationships with federal policymakers, state policy leaders, researchers, or organizations in relevant fields.
• Familiarity with outcomes-based approaches, innovative financing, evidence-based policymaking, or public-sector performance and delivery.
• A graduate degree in public policy, public administration, law, economics, finance, or a related field is welcomed but not required.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate targeted applied research projects led by external researchers, policy experts, and partner organizations.
• Develop project plans, timelines, research questions, and deliverables; coordinate contributors; and keep projects on schedule and at high quality standards.
• Support the Institute’s research portfolio by identifying emerging questions, potential research partners, and opportunities to connect research with policy and practice.
• Synthesize academic research, program experience, stakeholder interviews, and policy analysis into actionable recommendations.
• Monitor and analyze federal and state legislative, regulatory, and policy developments relevant to Social Finance’s work, including impact investing and outcomes-based funding related to economic mobility, workforce development, housing, and public safety net programs.
• Contribute to policy research, landscape analyses, and other projects that inform the Institute’s research and policy agenda.
• Assess how emerging policy developments may affect Social Finance’s programs, partners, and broader fields of work.
• Translate complex research, legislation, and policy developments into clear, practical insights for policymakers, practitioners, funders, and other audiences.
• Research and draft policy briefs, issue papers, blog posts, presentations, memos, talking points, public comments, and other educational materials.
• Work with the Head of Policy and Institute colleagues to develop evidence-informed policy recommendations and communicate them to federal and state audiences.
• Collaborate with communications colleagues to disseminate Institute research and elevate Social Finance’s expertise in policy conversations.
• Ensure the Institute’s written products are accessible, nonpartisan, and tailored to their intended audiences.
• Build and maintain relationships with congressional and executive branch staff, state policymakers, researchers, advocates, practitioners, funders, and other stakeholders.
• Represent the Social Finance Institute in coalition meetings, policy briefings, conferences, and other external forums.
• Identify and help organize opportunities to showcase Social Finance’s work with policymakers, including briefings, roundtables, convenings, testimony, and educational activities.
• Convene and facilitate conversations among policymakers, researchers, practitioners, and other stakeholders to advance shared policy objectives.
• Work effectively across political and ideological perspectives while maintaining Social Finance’s nonpartisan approach.
• Connect policy and research activities with Social Finance’s programmatic experience and institutional priorities.
• Contribute to proposals, funder reports, work plans, and other materials supporting the Institute’s growth and sustainability.
• Support additional Institute priorities and special projects as needed.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Flexible spending accounts.
• Access to the Blue Cross Blue Shield Wellness Program “AHealthyMe Rewards.”
• Retirement savings plan with employer contribution.
• Short-term, long-term, and life insurance policies.
• Commuter benefits and cell phone reimbursements.
• Dedicated budgets for team building and employee recognition.
• Annual budget for external professional development opportunities.
• Mentorship and onboarding programs.
• Paid vacation and paid holidays, including December 24 through January 1 off every year.
• Paid parental leave.
• Firmwide annual bonus program, typically 5–10%, not guaranteed and dependent on organizational and individual performance.
• Typically a $2,500 annual salary increase at this level.