Government Relations Director (4 Days Onsite- Washington, D.C.)

CoreCivic; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 113,000 - 138,000; Full time

Job summary

CoreCivic in Washington, DC seeks a Government Relations Director to lead federal outreach and advocacy, coordinating with senior leadership and external lobbyists. The role requires 4 onsite days in DC and travel to FSC facilities and events, including short-notice commitments.

The position focuses on developing federal strategies, monitoring legislation, and preparing executive briefings to support company objectives. A Bachelor’s degree and 5+ years in government relations are required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required in a relevant field.
• 5+ years of government relations or related advocacy experience required.
• Experience with Washington, DC offices and federal agencies preferred.
• Knowledge of federal legislative and appropriations processes required.
• Experience preparing executive briefings, policy analyses, and formal correspondence required.
• Ability to coordinate lobbyists, PAC activity, and compliance processes preferred.
• Strong written, verbal, and analytical skills; ability to interact with senior leadership.

Responsibilities

• Directs federal government relations engagement with congressional offices, federal agencies, and think tanks to strengthen CoreCivic’s influence.
• Develops and executes federal advocacy strategies aligned with business priorities.
• Coordinates with CoreCivic leadership and external lobbyists/consultants for outreach and compliance.
• Monitors federal legislation, appropriations, policy developments and political trends affecting CoreCivic.
• Prepares executive-level briefings, legislative summaries, and issue briefs for internal/external audiences.
• Supports executives for congressional meetings, stakeholder engagements, and external interactions.
• Oversees PAC-related activities, including contribution recommendations and compliance coordination.
• Manages registrations, reporting requirements, and related compliance activities.

Skills

Government relations

Policy analysis

Stakeholder management

Public speaking

Written communication

Project management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Political Science, Public Policy, Government Affairs, Business, Communications, or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

$125,000 / Annually + Quarterly Earnings Bonus

At CoreCivic, our employees are driven by a deep sense of service, high standards of professionalism and a responsibility to better the public good. CoreCivic is currently seeking a Government Relations Director. Come join a team that is dedicated to making an impact for the people and communities we serve.

*This position requires 4 days onsite in Washington, DC.

*Domestic travel to FSC, facilities and political events (25%), sometimes on short notice.

Summary

The Government Relations Director supports strategic leadership and day-to-day oversight for CoreCivic’s federal government relations activities, including legislative and federal agency outreach, stakeholder engagement, political and policy intelligence, and Political Action Committee (PAC) support. Develops and executes federal advocacy strategies that advance the company’s business objectives, strengthen relationships with key congressional offices, federal agencies, policy organizations, and industry stakeholders, and support the company’s partnership development priorities. Serves as a senior liaison between CoreCivic leadership, external lobbyists and consultants, congressional stakeholders, federal partners, and internal business leaders to ensure coordinated, timely, and effective advocacy efforts. Conducts and directs research, prepares executive-level briefings and communications, monitors legislative and regulatory developments, and provides recommendations to management on emerging risks, opportunities, and engagement strategies.

Essential Functions

• Directs federal government relations engagement with congressional offices, Senate and House campaign committees, federal agencies, policy organizations, industry associations, and think tanks to strengthen CoreCivic’s visibility, credibility, and influence with key stakeholders.
• Develops, recommends, and executes federal advocacy strategies that support CoreCivic’s business priorities, protect existing partnerships, identify emerging opportunities, and advance the company’s position on legislative, regulatory, funding, and policy matters.
• Serves as a senior liaison between CoreCivic leadership and the company’s network of federal lobbyists, consultants, and external advisors; establishes priorities, coordinates outreach, monitors performance, and ensures advocacy activities are aligned with company objectives.
• Monitors, interprets, and assesses federal legislation, appropriations activity, policy developments, agency actions, hearings, and political trends that may impact CoreCivic, its government partners, contracts, facilities, services, or the correctional partnership industry.
• Provides timely strategic analysis, written updates, talking points, briefing materials, and recommendations to Partnership Relations leadership and other senior leaders regarding federal developments, stakeholder positions, risks, and opportunities.
• Prepares executive-level presentations, correspondence, legislative summaries, issue briefs, hearing summaries, research materials, and other written communications for internal and external audiences.
• Supports and helps prepare company executives and Partnership Relations leaders for congressional meetings, federal agency discussions, stakeholder engagements, hearings, lobbyist meetings, and other high-level external interactions.
• Oversees and supports PAC-related activities, including coordination of contribution recommendations, political engagement tracking, campaign committee outreach, compliance coordination, and alignment of PAC activity with broader government relations priorities.
• Directs and coordinates the accurate and timely completion of federal lobbyist registrations, reporting requirements, fee submissions, and related compliance activities in coordination with internal stakeholders, lobbyists, consultants, and legal or compliance resources as appropriate.
• Collaborates with Public Affairs, Communications, Legal, Compliance, Operations, Partnership Development, and other internal teams to ensure consistent messaging, coordinated stakeholder engagement, and alignment with company policies and business priorities.

*Domestic U.S. travel may be required.

Qualifications

• Graduate from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science, Public Policy, Government Affairs, Business, Communications, or another acceptable related field is required.
• 5+ years of progressively responsible experience in government relations, federal affairs, public policy, congressional affairs, lobbying, campaign committee relations, federal agency relations, or related advocacy work is required.
• Experience working in Washington, DC with congressional offices, federal agencies, campaign committees, policy organizations, lobbyists, or government affairs stakeholders is required.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the federal legislative process, appropriations process, political engagement, stakeholder management, and advocacy strategy is required.
• Experience preparing executive-level briefings, policy analysis, legislative updates, presentations, and formal correspondence is required.
• Experience coordinating lobbyists, consultants, PAC activity, or government affairs compliance processes is preferred.
• Strong written communication, verbal communication, public speaking, research, analytical, relationship-building, and project management skills are required.
• Demonstrated ability to interact effectively with senior management, elected officials, congressional staff, federal agency representatives, consultants, and internal business leaders is required.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications is required.

CoreCivic is a Drug Free Workplace & EOE – Vets/Disabled.