Senior Director, Strategy and Operations (Government Relations)

Government Relations

Pew Charitable Trusts Government Relations (GR) seeks to advance Pew’s nonpartisan policy and research goals at all levels of government, in the United States and internationally. We focus on sharing the organization’s research and fact-based recommendations, shaping pragmatic strategies to achieve program objectives, and building relationships with key government officials to forge compromise and consensus on issues that make a difference to the public.

Position Overview

The senior director, strategy and operations will report to the senior vice president (SVP), help lead GR’s short- and long-term functioning, planning, and strategy setting, and oversee the department’s advocacy compliance and eAdvocacy teams. This role will seek to maximize GR’s external and internal effectiveness, develop results-focused metrics of success, and ensure that GR’s compliance and eAdvocacy efforts advance Pew’s data-driven policy objectives. Finally, the senior director will lead Pew’s “Safe Spaces” program for U.S. Senate and House chiefs of staff that provides a nonpartisan, nonpolitical place to foster bipartisan relationships and management best practices that can lead to better informed and more effective public policy.

This position is based in Pew’s Washington, DC office, and will participate in Pew’s core in-office days on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, with the flexibility to work from home the remainder of each week. Candidates must be presently legally authorized to work in the country for which they are seeking employment without the need of visa sponsorship.

Responsibilities

• With the SVP and other GR senior directors, help to develop and implement short- and long-term strategic plans that support Pew’s policy priorities and advance Pew’s profile with key players in the U.S. Congress and federal executive branch, and with applicable local, state, and international governments.
• In partnership with Pew’s policy experts and external affairs colleagues, design strategies that help raise the profile, credibility, and influence of Pew and its initiatives among these constituencies.
• Develop a high-level mastery of the substantive and tactical work of Pew’s environmental, government performance, and Philadelphia-based policy initiatives and how GR and other external affairs teams partner with and advance those initiatives.
• Demonstrate an ability to see the “big picture” of Pew’s diverse public policy goals and help develop day-to-day and long-term initiatives and strategies that support those efforts.
• Partner with the other GR senior leaders on yearly departmental strategy development and the associated metrics and help the GR senior leaders track the team’s performance against the agreed upon metrics. Support updates to the goals and metrics throughout the year as necessary.
• Learn and maintain a high-level of understanding for the substantive policy priorities of Pew’s most pressing policy initiatives.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the international, federal, and state political and policy environment in which the GR team is attempting to effectuate Pew’s policy goals.
• With great attention to detail, oversee the GR advocacy compliance team to ensure Pew is compliant with local, federal, and international lobbying laws and regulations. Ensure that GR’s compliance team works in close partnership with Pew’s legal team and policy experts to advance Pew’s initiatives while maintaining the highest level of compliance and ethics.
• Employ an understanding of digital advocacy, public relations, communications, and style in overseeing GR’s eAdvocacy team. Develop initiatives to expand and enhance Pew’s eAdvocacy efforts and increase collaboration with members of the Communications department.
• Lead GR’s efforts to help ensure that Pew’s Safe Spaces initiative is effective, well attended, compliant with all applicable ethical standards, and beneficial to the chiefs of staff who participate in the program.
• In partnership with the SVP and the compliance and eAdvocacy team leaders, analyze and develop strategies for Pew to leverage lobbying- and communications-based data and to help design and establish thorough data-analysis systems and processes within GR.
• Develop and maintain good working relationships with program colleagues, other external affairs departments, and external organizations to help GR better assist its internal partners and clients.
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Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience required.
• Generally, 10 years of professional experience helping to develop and implement strategic initiatives, ideally in an organization focused on government relations, communications, federal and state campaigns, and/or social policy advocacy. Direct experience working in a policy-setting role within a state, federal, or international government preferred.
• A demonstrated high level of understanding of state, federal, and international policy development.
• Demonstrated management experience including staff, project, and/or consultant management experience, with a successful record of coaching and motivating teams to succeed.
• Experience collaborating with a variety of internal and external partners to develop short- and long-term strategic initiatives and the documentation of such plans in a user-friendly format.
• Experience developing and monitoring meaningful group- and individual-focused metrics for success.
• Excellent political skills and judgment as well as demonstrated leadership and management ability, and strong and diplomatic interpersonal skills. Ability to develop and manage productive relationships with a range of diverse interests. Demonstrated ability to work as part of a team, foster consensus, and collaborate with national partners.
• Experience with advocacy compliance, policy-focused communications, and policy-based data analysis.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including public speaking and experience interacting with the media.
• Prior to commencing employment with Pew, candidates for this position who were registered to lobby in any jurisdiction must certify termination of previous registration(s) and provide copies of termination notices with said jurisdiction(s) to Pew.
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Travel

Occasional travel to meetings and conferences anticipated.

Total Rewards

We offer a competitive salary and benefit program, including: comprehensive, affordable health care through medical, dental, and vision coverage; financial security with life and disability insurance; opportunities to save using health savings and flexible spending accounts; retirement benefits to help prepare for the future; and work/life benefits to maintain a good balance.

The Pew Charitable Trusts is an equal opportunity employer, committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. Pew considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to age, sex, ethnicity, religion, disability, marital status, sexual orientation or gender identity, military/veteran status, or any other basis prohibited by applicable law.