Senior Federal Lobbyist

American Association of University Professors; Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 125,000 - 165,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Paid sick days

Paid vacation days

401(K)

Job summary

The American Association of University Professors (AAUP) seeks a Senior Federal Lobbyist hybrid based in Washington, DC to lead federal advocacy, coordinate with Capitol Hill and agencies, and advance higher education priorities. You will craft policy positions, manage campaigns, and mobilize members across coalitions.

The role requires 5–10 years in federal government relations or related policy work, sharp attention to detail, and a collaborative, communicative approach to coalition leadership

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required
• Master’s/JD/Ph.D. preferred

Responsibilities

• Capitol Hill engagement with key committees and leadership offices.
• Draft advocacy materials, congressional testimony, sign-on letters, and background memos.
• Coordinate AAUP's annual Capitol Hill fly-in and lobby day.
• Maintain compliance with the Lobbying Disclosure Act and federal ethics rules.
• Lead coalition efforts on shared federal priorities in higher education policy.

Skills

Federal lobbying

Policy analysis

Stakeholder engagement

Event leadership

Team collaboration

Legislative knowledge

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Political Science / Public Policy / Law or related field

Master’s, J.D., or Ph.D. preferred

Job description

American Association of University Professors

Political Department

Senior Federal Lobbyist – Hybrid position based in Washington, D.C.

The American Association of University Professors (AAUP), a fast-growing union of higher education workers, is pleased to announce a professional position for a Senior Federal Lobbyist, to be filled as soon as possible. Our goals are to build AAUP member power in order to defend the higher ed sector against increasing attacks and lead a fight for fair wages, job security, academic freedom, an end to student debt, and expanded access to postsecondary education.

The Senior Federal Lobbyist leads the American Association of University Professors' (AAUP), an affiliate of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), AFL-CIO, federal advocacy agenda, serving as the primary liaison to Capitol Hill, executive agencies, and national advocacy coalitions. Reporting directly to the Political Director, this person will develop and execute legislative and regulatory initiatives to champion higher education as a public good, safeguard academic freedom, protect shared governance and faculty tenure, advance labor and collective bargaining rights, and secure robust federal funding for higher education and scientific research.

The ideal candidate combines sharp political acumen with exceptional attention to detail, innovative out-of-the-box thinking, and outstanding interpersonal skills. As a key team player within the Political & Legislative Affairs department, the lobbyist will collaborate across teams and affiliate organizations to translate complex policy into high-impact advocacy strategies.

The AAUP is committed to a diverse workforce and strives to achieve a workplace environment respectful of the many cultures of our own employees and the higher education workers we represent, including a significant number of African-American, Asian-American/Pacific Islander, and Latinx employees, as well as LGBTQl-identified employees, and those who have immigrated from various countries. The AAUP values the benefits that diversity brings to the faculty profession and the labor movement. We seek applicants whose experience and perspective will contribute to strong representation of our diverse members.

Duties and Responsibilities

The position will include the following responsibilities:

Federal Advocacy & Legislative Strategy

• Capitol Hill Engagement: Serve as the principal registered lobbyist for the AAUP before Congress, maintaining active, collaborative, and bipartisan relationships with key committees (e.g., Senate HELP, House Education & the Workforce, Appropriations) and leadership offices.
• Executive Branch & Agency Liaison: Monitor and influence federal rulemaking and regulatory policy within the U.S. Department of Education, National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), Department of Labor (DOL), NSF, NIH, and the White House.
• Policy Monitoring & Analysis: Rigorously track federal legislation, executive orders, and agency guidance. Perform thorough, detailed policy analyses on issue areas affecting higher education, academic freedom, civil rights, labor rights, and research funding.
• Creative Strategy: Bring innovative, out-of-the-box strategies to legislative campaign planning, identifying non-traditional avenues and message framing to advance AAUP priorities in challenging political environments.

Policy Writing & Precision Communications

• Detail-Oriented Deliverables: Draft and meticulously edit high-priority advocacy materials, including legislative briefs, congressional testimony, sign-on letters, administrative comments, and background memos for AAUP leadership where accuracy and precision are paramount.
• Member Updates: Translate complex legislative developments into clear, accessible, and actionable updates for AAUP state conferences, campus chapters, and national membership.

Coalition Leadership & Collaborative Partnerships

• Coalition Engagement: Represent the AAUP in national coalitions alongside higher education associations, labor unions (such as our affiliate, the AFT), civil rights groups, and scientific advocacy networks.
• Joint Campaigns: Build strong consensus and lead collaborative campaigns on shared federal priorities, including Title IV/Pell Grants, student loan reform, research funding, and defending public higher education against political interference.

Member Mobilization, Event Coordination & Internal Collaboration

• Annual Capitol Hill Fly-In & Lobby Day: With the assistance of cross-departmental staff and legislative team members, lead the strategic planning, messaging, precision scheduling, and execution of AAUP's annual fly-in and lobby day on Capitol Hill.
• Team-Oriented Integration: Serve as a proactive team player within the Political & Legislative Affairs department, working closely with the Political Director, state policy leadership, and grassroots team to align federal policy goals with member mobilization.
• Ethics & Compliance: Meticulously maintain compliance records to ensure 100% adherence to the Lobbying Disclosure Act (LDA), federal ethics rules, and required reporting standards.

Qualifications

• Professional Experience: 5–10 years of progressive experience in federal government relations, congressional staff roles (e.g., Legislative Director, Senior Committee Staff, Counsel), higher education policy, or labor advocacy.
• Uncompromising Attention to Detail: Exceptional precision in policy analysis, statutory language review, advocacy writing, compliance reporting, and event schedule management.
• Interpersonal Excellence & Teamwork: Proven track record as a collaborative team player with strong relationship-building skills across diverse political, labor, academic, and coalition stakeholders.
• Innovative Problem Solving: Ability to think out of the box to navigate complex legislative landscapes, craft compelling narratives, and develop creative advocacy tactics.
• Legislative & Budget Expertise: Deep working knowledge of federal legislative processes, statutory reauthorizations (e.g., Higher Education Act), federal budget/appropriations cycles, and administrative rulemaking.
• Event Leadership: Proven capability to coordinate and run large-scale advocacy events, fly-ins, or member lobbying days on Capitol Hill with high organizational precision.
• Mission Alignment: Deep commitment to the principles of academic freedom, shared governance, tenure, equity and civil rights in education, and collective bargaining rights.
• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Political Science, Public Policy, Law, or related field required; Master’s, J.D., or Ph.D. preferred.

This job description is not designed or intended to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, and responsibilities that are required of the employee. Activities, duties, and responsibilities may change, or new ones may be assigned during the course of employment.

Compensation

Salary range: $125,000 – $165,000. AAUP offers a generous benefits package that includes health, dental, and vision insurance; paid sick days; paid vacations days; and 401(K).

• health, dental, and vision insurance
• paid sick days
• paid vacations days
• 401(K)

Position Classification

This position is designated as a Senior Program Officer in the Political Department and is part of the staff union bargaining unit.This is an exempt position and not eligible for overtime pay.

Work Location

This position is located in the DC office with an option for part-time telework.

The AAUP is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, disability, race, color, religion, national origin, marital status, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, personal appearance, family responsibilities, genetic information, matriculation, political affiliation, homelessness, or other characteristics unrelated to professional performance. (EEO Know Your Rights | Family Medical Leave Act).

Women and minorities are encouraged to apply.