Congressional Relations Director

National Indian Health Board; Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work schedule

Travel about 25%

Equal opportunity employer

Job summary

National Indian Health Board seeks a Congressional Relations Director to lead NIHB's strategy on Capitol Hill, managing appropriations and tribal health priorities. You will build bipartisan relationships with Members of Congress and staff, and oversee testimony, letters, and briefing materials in collaboration with Tribal leaders and partners.

The role reports to the Vice President of Policy, leads a small policy team, and requires ~25% travel with a hybrid schedule (two days remote per week)

Qualifications

• 5–10 years of Capitol Hill or national advocacy experience.
• Minimum 3 years working with Tribal governments or organizations.
• Strong understanding of federal Indian policy and health policy.
• Exceptional written and oral communication skills, including speechwriting.

Responsibilities

• Lead congressional relations strategy and advocacy on Capitol Hill.
• Manage a small policy team and coordinate with the Policy Division.
• Oversee congressional testimony, policy letters, and briefing materials.
• Build bipartisan relationships with Members of Congress and staff.

Skills

Policy advocacy

Bipartisan engagement

Team leadership

Oral/written communication

Legislation analysis

Project management

Public speaking

Independent work

Education

Bachelor's in Political Science/Public Policy

Advanced degree (JD/MPA/MPP/MPH) preferred

Job description

The Congressional Relations Director serves as NIHB’s lead strategist and advocate with Congress, responsible for advancing Tribal health priorities on Capitol Hill. Reporting to the Vice President of Policy, the Director manages NIHB’s work in appropriations and Tribal budget formulation, builds bipartisan relationships with Members of Congress and staff, and ensures effective execution of NIHB’s Legislative and Policy Agenda in collaboration with Tribal leaders, coalitions, and partners.

The Director leads and manages a small team of policy staff and works in close coordination with the broader Policy Division to ensure NIHB’s congressional strategy aligns with organizational priorities and Tribal needs. This is a full‑time, exempt position based in Washington, D.C., requiring approximately 25% travel. NIHB offers a hybrid work schedule, with two days per week remote.

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES

Leadership and Team Management

• Lead and manage a small team of congressional relations staff, providing mentorship, oversight, and professional development.
• Ensure the team delivers highquality legislative analysis, testimony, and advocacy materials.
• Set clear goals and priorities for staff, aligning individual and team workplans with NIHB’s Legislative and Policy Agenda.
• Foster collaboration within the Policy Division and across NIHB’s departments to advance organizational objectives.

Legislative Strategy and Advocacy

• Lead NIHB’s advocacy efforts on Capitol Hill to advance Tribal health and public health priorities.
• Help develop, implement, and evaluate NIHB’s annual Legislative and Policy Agenda in close collaboration with Tribal leaders, member organizations, and staff.
• Manage NIHB’s engagement in the Tribal budget formulation and appropriations process, aligning advocacy with Tribal leaders’ priorities.
• Provide consistent, nonpartisan education to Congress on the federal trust responsibility, Tribal sovereignty, and policies impacting American Indian and Alaska Native health.
• Lead the drafting of congressional testimony, policy letters, comments, and briefing materials in collaboration with Tribal stakeholders.

Policy Development and Support

• Facilitate the research, analysis, tracking, drafting, and editing of legislation on appropriations, and top policy priorities a reflecting a variety of health and public health policy areas such as Medicaid and Medicare, behavioral health, workforce, data, and others.
• Provide technical policy support for Tribal leaders during national listening sessions and consultation sessions.
• Work with the Vice President, Policy and Advocacy, and other Policy leadership to provide technical support to Tribal leaders serving on federal Indian health advisory committees.
• Ensure highquality research, drafting, and editing of advocacy materials to advance Tribal health policy priorities.

Relationship Building and Representation

• Build and maintain bipartisan relationships with Members of Congress, committees, and staff.
• Represent NIHB in coalitions and alliances to elevate Tribal health issues nationally.
• Engage in strategic coalitionbuilding with other national advocacy organizations in healthcare and public health.
• Strengthen health systems and policy for both Direct Service and SelfGovernance Tribes.
• Work closely with Tribal leaders, technical experts, and national partners to ensure their priorities are reflected in legislative advocacy.
• Collaborate with NIHB’s Communications & Engagement team to provide timely policy updates, talking points, and media support on legislative matters.

Organizational Engagement

• Prepare and deliver legislative briefings for NIHB’s Board of Directors, Tribal leaders, and external partners.
• Secure congressional speakers for NIHB’s national conferences and represent NIHB at external events, including presenting relevant workshops.
• Support NIHB’s national convenings as a representative and presenter on policy topics.
• Mobilize grassroots engagement to advance NIHB’s Legislative and Policy Agenda.
• Serve as an active leader within NIHB’s Policy Division, working alongside other directors and staff to advance NIHB’s overall policy, regulatory, and legislative priorities.

REQUIREMENTS AND QUALIFICATIONS

• 5 to 10 years of experience on Capitol Hill (committee or personal staff), or in legislative/government affairs with a national advocacy organization.
• Minimum 3 years of direct experience working with Tribal governments or Tribal organizations.
• Bachelor’s degree in Political Science, Public Policy, or related field. Advanced degree (JD, MPA, MPP, MPH) preferred.
• Strong understanding of health care delivery, the federal trust relationship, and the legal, policy, and political frameworks impacting the Indian Health Service (IHS) and Tribal health systems.
• Exceptional written and oral communication skills, including public speaking and speechwriting.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and mentor staff, manage projects, and foster collaboration within a crossfunctional policy team.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team in a fastpaced environment.
• Flexibility to work extended hours, including evenings or weekends, as legislative priorities require.
• Demonstrated expertise in the federal appropriations and budget process.
• Deep knowledge of federal Indian policy; expertise in Indian health policy strongly preferred.
• Proven track record in bipartisan engagement and coalitionbuilding.

This position is based on a hybrid work arrangement, combining remote and on‑site work, due to the collaborative nature of the role.

EEOC statement: NIHB is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of color, race, religion, national origin, political affiliation, marital status, disability (physical or mental), age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, genetic information, status as a parent, membership or non‑membership in an employee organization, veteran status, or any other non‑merit factor.