Associate Director, Government Affairs

Hanbury Strategy; Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 100,000 - 225,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits including medical, dental, and vision coverage

401(k) retirement savings plan

Generous paid time off (PTO)

Job summary

A strategic communications firm is seeking an Associate Director to manage client accounts in Washington, D.C. Candidates should have a strong background in government and politics, along with excellent project management and communication skills. Responsibilities include daily client interactions and advocacy, monitoring legislation, providing strategic counsel, and networking with policymakers. The role offers a competitive salary ranging from $100,000 to $225,000, health benefits, and a hybrid work model, encouraging applicants with diverse experiences.

Qualifications

• 5-10 years of experience in government or government affairs roles.
• Ability to connect political realities to business objectives.
• Strong organizational skills and adaptability to change.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day client interactions and advocacy efforts.
• Identify and monitor legislative developments for clients.
• Provide strategic counsel on public policy issues.
• Network with policymakers and build relationships.
• Manage junior colleagues and support their development.

Skills

Government expertise

Project management

Strong communication

Relationship building

Creative problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Hanbury Strategy is seeking an Associate Director to join its growing Washington, D.C. office. Associate Directors will play a critical role in the day-to-day account management of multiple clients as well as providing strategic advice, legislative and regulatory monitoring, policy research, political intelligence, and direct advocacy on clients’ behalf. This role is ideal for a self-motivated candidate with knowledge and experience navigating Capitol Hill, a proven ability to manage multiple projects at once, strong communication and creative problem-solving skills, and a strong desire to build networks and relationships. The role of Associate Director is a bridge between internal-facing client service support and external advocacy on clients’ behalf.

About Hanbury Strategy

Hanbury Strategy is a global government relations and strategic communications firm with close to 140 employees in Brussels, London, Sydney, and Washington, DC. Founded in 2016, Hanbury’s bipartisan team of experts use their understanding of policy, politics, and the media to create comprehensive advocacy and communications campaigns that meet clients’ objectives. Hanbury’s work is supported by best-in-class data and research by Hanbury’s sister company, Stack Data Strategy.

Hanbury’s DC Office opened in Fall 2025 to bring its highly successful approach to client service to the U.S. and is in active growth mode in support of Hanbury’s mission: “To build a team of exceptional people, who go the extra mile to help companies with their biggest reputation, policy, and regulatory challenges.”

Key Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day client interactions, serving as the first point of contact for clients, coordinating advocacy efforts, and handling inquiries and requests as they arise.
• Identify and monitor legislative and regulatory developments on behalf of clients, attend and summarize hearings or meetings or interest, and develop policy research as needed on issues of importance.
• Provide trusted strategic counsel on key public policy and reputational issues clients and provide insight on political developments that affect them with support and counsel from senior team members.
• Develop and execute strategies to meet client objectives and advocacy goals with support and counsel from senior team members.
• Develop policy expertise on areas of key importance to clients.
• Represent Hanbury Strategy and clients at events, legislative days, meetings, hearings, and other gatherings of key policy makers.
• Develop and maintain positive working relationships with elected officials, policymakers, and staff.
• Network and develop opportunities for Hanbury to build relationships with potential clients as well as think tanks, coalitions, advocacy groups, and thought leaders throughout DC.
• Effectively delegate and review client deliverables produced by junior colleagues, adding political acumen and strategic counsel, while also coordinating feedback from senior team members.
• Manage junior colleagues with responsibility for their training, growth, and professional development.
• Support senior colleagues in researching and drafting proposals for new business.

Qualifications

• Expertise in government, politics, and the legislative process with the ability to connect political realities to business objectives.
• Experience navigating Capitol Hill, federal agencies, and the Administration with established relationships in Washington, DC.
• Strong organizational skills with a proven ability to coordinate numerous projects at once and a strong ability to adapt to changing circumstances and demands.
• Ability to quickly learn new issues, think strategically, and operate with discretion in external engagement.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with a track record of translating complex policy issues into clear, succinct, and persuasive narratives for diverse audiences.
• Strong collaborator with good interpersonal skills; demonstrated ability to work in a team environment and be willing to pitch in and support teammates where needed.
• Creative problem solver with an ability to innovate and think outside the box to meet clients’ needs.
• Entrepreneurial mentality to support a fast-growing firm in a new market.
• Self-motivator that takes initiative and operates with a proactive mindset.
• Demonstrated relationship-building and networking skills.
• Bachelor’s degree with 5-10 years’ experience working in government or government affairs roles; ideally with experience working in both the public and private sector.
• Competitive base salary within the range of $100,000–$225,000, based on experience
• Performance-based bonus opportunities
• Health benefits including medical, dental, and vision coverage
• 401(k) retirement savings plan
• Generous paid time off (PTO), including vacation, sick
• Hybrid work model with flexibility for remote work

Hanbury’s growing team is focused on identifying top talent at every level of experience with differing perspectives and backgrounds. We encourage you to apply if you have transferable skills or related experiences.