Government Affairs Director at AARP Washington DC

Comunidade Metodista; Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 117,000 - 137,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k)

Pension plan

Health insurance

Job summary

AARP in Washington, DC is seeking a Government Affairs Director to lead financial security policy initiatives and state/local advocacy. This hybrid role reports to the DC office and collaborates with national and state teams to drive policy impact.

The position requires 6+ years in government affairs, strong policy and communications skills, and willingness to travel to represent AARP at conferences and legislative briefings.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in relevant field.
• 6+ years of legislative and regulatory experience in government, private sector, or nonprofit.
• Extensive state-level advocacy expertise and consumer financial protection knowledge.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a point of contact on a portfolio of issues.
• Interact with federal and state elected officials in a lobbyist capacity.
• Analyze proposals and prepare summaries and reports.
• Draft policy positions and provide strategic advocacy guidance.
• Build relationships with lawmakers, officials, and coalitions.
• Travel to participate in state advocacy and deliver presentations.

Skills

Policy advocacy

Policy analysis

Stakeholder engagement

Legislative outreach

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business, Political Science, Public Policy, or Law

Job description

Government Affairs Director job at AARP. Washington DC.

Government Affairs Director Location Hybrid remote in Washington, DC :

AARP is the nation's largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering people 50 and older to choose how they live as they age. With a nationwide presence, AARP strengthens communities and advocates for what matters most to the more than 100 million Americans 50-plus and their families: health security, financial stability and personal fulfillment. AARP also produces the nation's largest circulation publications: AARP The Magazine and AARP Bulletin.

AARP's Community, State and National Affairs (CSN) Group includes Government Relations, Programs, Volunteer Engagement, Community Outreach and Advocacy at the federal, state and local levels. It delivers on AARP's social mission by educating and engaging people 50-plus and their families, strengthening communities, and championing issues that help give people financial and health security.

The Government Affairs Director, Financial Security advocates for policies to enhance the financial security of all Americans. From ensuring individuals' hard-earned money is protected from frauds and scams to fighting for fair state and local taxation policies, this position leads the organization's financial security efforts to drive change at the state and local level by partnering with our state teams across the country. In this role you will directly support our state offices in their advocacy efforts while also advising national office colleagues of policy developments to ensure consistent advocacy across the country. The position provides strategic thought and issues expertise to state offices through guidance, development of technical resources, legislative bill drafting, policy analysis, and strategic advocacy development. In all interactions, this role works collaboratively with colleagues across the organization, to include key staff from multiple departments.

Responsibilities

• Serves as a point of contact on a specific portfolio of issues.
• Interacts with federal and state elected officials and staff members in a lobbyist capacity.
• Researches and identifies public policy issues of interest to the organization and prepares summaries and reports on the facts and issues.
• Analyzes federal and state legislative and regulatory proposals, communicates regularly with state office staff regarding the organization's policy goals, and contributes to internal and external advocacy materials.
• Builds strong relationships with members of Congress, federal or state officials, internal and external stakeholders, professional associations, and coalitions to achieve the organization's public policy agenda.
• Identifies and recommends opportunities to advance the organization's priorities.
• Works closely with colleagues in States, Campaigns, Policy Development, Programs, Office of Diversity Equity and Inclusion, and other departments to drive robust and proactive advocacy on their portfolio of issues for Americans 50 and older.
• Serves as a spokesperson with press and with legislative and non‑legislative audiences on a specific portfolio of issues as they relate to older adults to position the organization as a credible source of information on legislative and regulatory issues. Identifies, supervises and works with outside consultants and issue experts to advance the organization's advocacy agenda.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Political Science, Public Policy, or Law or an equivalent combination of training and experience related to the duties of the position.
• 6+ years of relevant and substantively responsible legislative and regulatory experience in government, the private sector, or non‑profit organization.
• Extensive state‑level advocacy expertise in a governmental agency, legislative or intergovernmental advocacy environment, and a proven passion and commitment to consumer advocacy.
• Extensive issue expertise in state and local taxes, state fraud policy, and other consumer financial protection issues, with the ability to lead AARP's financial security efforts to drive change at the state and local level by partnering with state teams across the country.
• Extensive experience in the preparation and presentation, both verbal and written, of policy positions (issues briefs, testimony, etc.).
• Ability to analyze legislation and regulations thoroughly and effectively and to apply research results to justify or support AARP's policies and positions.
• Provides strategic thought and issues expertise to state office through guidance, development of technical resources, legislative bill drafting, policy analysis, and strategic advocacy development.
• Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues across the organization, to include key staff from multiple departments.
• Willingness to travel to various states to participate in state‑level advocacy efforts to include participation in state meetings, appear before state legislative committees, and to deliver presentations to a variety of audiences, including national conferences.

Candidates located in the Washington DC Metro area must be willing to report to the DC National office on a hybrid work schedule.

AARP will not sponsor an employment visa for this position at this time.

Additional Requirements

• Regular and reliable job attendance
• Effective verbal and written communication skills
• Exhibit respect and understanding of others to maintain professional relationships
• Independent judgement in evaluation options to make sound decisions
• In office/open office environment with the ability to work effectively surrounded by moderate noise
• Home office environment with the ability to work effectively surrounded by moderate home environment noise - (Telework)

Flexible Work Arrangement (FWA)

AARP observes Mondays and Fridays as telecommuting workdays, except for essential functions. Remote work and telecommuting can only be done within the United States and its territories.

Compensation and Benefits

AARP offers a competitive compensation and benefits package including a 401(k); 100% company‑funded pension plan; health, dental, and vision plans; life insurance; paid time off to include company and individual holidays, vacation, sick, caregiving, and parental leave; performance‑based and peer‑based recognition; tuition reimbursement; among others. For this position we anticipate offering a salary between $117,00 - $136,500 per year. This role is also eligible to participate in an annual incentive plan with a percentage up to 22.5%. Bonus eligibility is dependent upon organizational and individual performance.

Equal Employment Opportunity

AARP is an equal opportunity employer committed to hiring a diverse workforce and sustaining an inclusive culture. AARP does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, sex, color, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, mental or physical disability, genetic information, veteran status, or on any other basis prohibited by applicable law.