Senior Director, Government Relations

U.S. Travel Association; Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 160,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive healthcare package

Generous paid leave

Transportation benefits

Education assistance

Wellness initiatives

Job summary

The U.S. Travel Association in Washington, DC is seeking a Senior Director, Government Relations to enhance the organization’s profile and relationships with government officials. This role will manage government relations and public policy strategies to support the association's mission, enabling growth and advancing legislative priorities.

Candidates should have a minimum of 10 years of Capitol Hill experience, excellent advocacy skills, and a strong understanding of the legislative process, along with an undergraduate degree, preferably in Political Science.

This position involves moderate travel and offers a salary of $160K-$180K plus bonuses.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 10 to 12 years of experience in Capitol Hill or government affairs.
• Experience working within the Senate Republican Conference.
• Advocacy experience for the travel and tourism industry is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Develop relationships with key policymakers and federal officials.
• Track legislation impacting the travel community.
• Advocate U.S. Travel's agenda before Congress and federal agencies.
• Attend relevant hearings and meetings.
• Build relationships with associations, think tanks, and non-profits.

Skills

Legislative process understanding

Political instincts

Relationship building

Research skills

Interpersonal skills

Education

Undergraduate degree (Political Science preferred)

Master’s degree (optional)

Job description

Summary

U.S. Travel seeks a Senior Director, Government Relations to promote and enhance the association’s profile, presence and relationships across key audiences, including government officials on Capitol Hill, the administration, federal agencies and others. This position is responsible for managing a wide range of government relations and public policy strategies that will further the association’s mission, enable growth and advance legislative priorities.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain business relationships with key policymakers and federal Government officials and their staff.
• Identify and track legislation and regulations that impact the travel community and recommend necessary levels of support or opposition.
• Help conceive and implement U.S. Travel policy positions and advocate the association's agenda before U.S. Congress and federal agencies.
• Demonstrate an eagerness to spend time highly engaged on Capitol Hill building and enhancing the voice of the travel industry.
• Compose, edit, update and transmit legislative advocacy documents such as issue papers, talking points, testimonies, speeches and letters.
• Monitor, attend and report on relevant hearings, briefings and meetings.
• Collaborate on research, press, grassroots and other team initiatives.
• Respond to the needs of U.S. Travel members, including on unique or sector-specific demands.
• Work with outside stakeholders, including consultants and travel industry lobbyists.
• Build/maintain business relationships with key associations, think tanks and non‑profits.
• Demonstrate the ability to provide strategic input on U.S. Travel PAC and is willing and able to attend PAC events and other political and industry functions that often require attendance in the early mornings or evenings.
• Represent U.S. Travel at travel-related roundtables, public briefings and conferences which could require up to 20 percent domestic travel.

Key Attributes

• Understands the legislative process and has good political instincts.
• Builds trusted relationships with policymakers, coalition partners and industry stakeholders to advance U.S. Travel’s priorities while communicating with credibility and clarity.
• Anticipates legislative and political shifts and proactively aligns advocacy strategies with organizational and industry goals.
• Demonstrates strong work ethic, both as a team player and self‑starter.
• Can juggle demands requiring research, writing and interpersonal skills.

Education, Experience and Skills

• Undergraduate degree required; preferred degree Political Science. Master’s degree is a plus but not required.
• Minimum of 10 to 12 years of experience on Capitol Hill, in the political arena, public policy or government affairs.
• Demonstrated experience working with, and established relationships within, the Senate Republican Conference, particularly with offices on relevant committees of jurisdiction.
• Skilled in advocacy for the travel and tourism industry a plus but is not required.

Supervisory Responsibility

None

Other

• Position based in Washington, DC. U.S. Travel staff work in the office Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays with the option to work remotely on Mondays and Fridays.
• Moderate travel (up to 2‑3 times per month) is required.
• Salary: 160‑180K with bonus potential.
• Other duties: Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job.

Benefits

• Comprehensive healthcare package with fertility coverage
• Generous paid leave including family leave
• Routine staff functions and opportunities for social connection
• Transportation and cell phone benefits
• Robust wellness initiatives and Employee Assistance Plan (EAP)
• Education and professional development assistance