Job Description
POSITION DESCRIPTION
Position Title :Director of Government Affairs
Location: Washington, DC
Reports to: President
FLSA Status: Exempt
Staff Supervision: No
Class: Full-Time
Salary: Commensurate with experience
Benefits: Comprehensive package
POSITION SUMMARY
The ANCSA Regional Association (ARA) seeks a senior Director of Government Affairs to lead and execute its federal advocacy strategy across Congress and the Administration. This role is designed for a seasoned policy leader with deep institutional knowledge, established relationships, and a proven track record of advancing complex policy priorities—ensuring ARA maintains a strong, bipartisan presence across both the legislative and executive branches.
Serving as ARA’s principal government affairs representative in Washington, the Director will shape and drive integrated legislative and regulatory strategies advancing priorities that affect regional Alaska Native Corporations (ANCs) established under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA). The position requires a sophisticated understanding of congressional and executive branch processes, sound political judgment, and the credibility to engage effectively with senior policymakers at the highest levels of government.
This role operates within a highly collaborative, member-driven environment where close coordination with ARA’s member organizations is essential. Reflecting ARA’s lean structure, the Director must move seamlessly between strategy and execution—providing high-level policy leadership while also engaging directly in day-to-day implementation and administrative responsibilities as needed.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Federal Strategy & Policy Leadership
- Own and execute ARA’s federal government affairs strategy across Congress and the Administration.
- Advise leadership and member executives on political dynamics, legislative positioning, and regulatory risk.
- Position ARA priorities within must-pass legislative vehicles and broader federal policy agendas.
Congressional Affairs
- Lead direct engagement with Members of Congress, committee leadership, and senior staff.
- Drive legislative strategy across authorization and appropriations, including bill development, report language, and funding initiatives.
- Execute targeted Hill campaigns, including negotiations, coalition letters, and coordinated stakeholder outreach.
- Track and assess congressional activity to identify risks, leverage points, and timing opportunities.
Administration & Regulatory Affairs
- Serve as ARA’s lead liaison to the White House, OMB, and key federal agencies, including DOI, SBA, DoD, Treasury, and others.
- Shape regulatory outcomes, program implementation, and policy development impacting ANCSA regional corporations.
- Lead engagement on rulemakings, guidance, and interagency policy initiatives.
- Identify and advance opportunities to align ARA priorities with Administration objectives.
Policy Development & Execution
- Draft and oversee legislative text, regulatory comments, testimony, and senior-level correspondence.
- Ensure policy positions are strategically aligned, technically sound, and execution-ready.
- Represent ARA in high-level meetings, hearings, and negotiations.
Member Coordination & Advocacy Alignment
- Drive consensus among ARA member organizations on federal priorities and advocacy strategy.
- Coordinate rapid-response engagement on legislative and regulatory developments.
- Plan and support executive-level participation in Hill fly-ins, agency meetings, and strategic engagements.
Coalition Strategy & Influence
- Build and maintain relationships with national Native organizations, trade associations, and aligned stakeholders, including in Alaska.
- Leverage coalitions to expand influence and advance shared policy objectives.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s degree in business, political science, public policy, or related field; equivalent experience considered in lieu of degree on a year-for-year basis.
- 7+ years of senior-level experience in government, including Capitol Hill, federal agencies, or top-tier government affairs roles. Prior service as a committee staff director, senior staffer, or equivalent strongly preferred.
- Deep command of congressional procedure, appropriations and authorization processes, and federal rulemaking.
- Demonstrated success moving policy through both legislative and regulatory channels.
- Established relationships across Congress and the Administration at the senior staff and leadership level.
- Familiarity with Alaska Native policy, ANCSA, ANCs, and tribal governance strongly preferred.
- Strong executive presence with the ability to operate credibly in high-stakes, senior-level environments.
- Exceptional writing, briefing, and persuasion skills across complex policy issues.
- Strong analytical and quantitative ability, including use of data to support policy strategy.
- Must reside in or relocate to the Washington, DC metropolitan area.
- Must be able to travel regularly by air, rail, and ground.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
- Lean, fast-moving government affairs operation requiring discipline, responsiveness, and sound judgment across competing priorities.
- High degree of collaboration with ARA leadership, member organizations, and external stakeholders.
- Hybrid Washington, DC-based role with substantial in-person engagement on Capitol Hill and with federal agencies, including hearings, briefings, and senior-level meetings.
- Flexibility required to respond to evolving political and policy developments in real time.
COMPENSATION & BENEFITS
- Executive-level compensation, commensurate with experience.
- Comprehensive benefits package, including health, vison, dental, and retirement.
HOW TO APPLY
Submit resume and cover letter detailing relevant government affairs experience and interest in advancing ARA’s mission to info@ancsaregional.com. Please include “Director of Government Affairs” in the subject line.