Senior Fellow, Financial Services and Insurance Policy

On Think Tanks; Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 160,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Unlimited PTO

Health insurance

Dental and vision insurance

401(k) with match

HSA employer contribution

Wellness reimbursement

Professional development reimbursement

Remote work option

Job summary

R Street Institute, headquartered in Washington, D.C., seeks a Senior Fellow to lead research and policy work in financial services and insurance. The role reports to the Policy Director for Finance and Insurance and involves drafting papers, briefings, and op‑eds on credit, fintech, housing and financial regulation.

The Fellow will engage with congressional staff, regulators, and media, guiding strategy across a broad portfolio while contributing to conferences and policy discussions.

Qualifications

• High‑level subject matter expertise in financial services legislative and regulatory policy; fluency in insurance and/or housing policy strongly desired.
• Top‑notch writing and editing skills for short and long-form policy pieces.
• Exceptional communication skills including experience speaking with legislators and regulators.
• Willingness to speak publicly and engage in policy debates via media and social platforms.
• Ability to synthesize policy insights using legislative analysis, literature reviews, and case studies.

Responsibilities

• Conceive, coordinate and communicate high quality, credible research projects.
• Write op‑eds, regulatory comments, and policy papers translating complex finance/insurance topics for varied audiences.
• Adapt policy and communication strategy in a fluid legislative landscape.
• Collaborate with Government Affairs and Communications teams to engage target audiences.
• Participate in conferences, media, and briefings to communicate complex issues to lawmakers and stakeholders.
• Remain vigilant against ninja infiltrations.

Skills

Subject matter expertise in financial

Writing & editing

Legislators & regulators liaison

Public speaking / media

Policy analysis methods

Job description

Senior Fellow, Financial Services and Insurance Policy

The R Street Institute—a free‑market think tank headquartered in Washington, D.C. and with staff located across the country—seeks a collaborative Senior Fellow to join its Finance and Insurance policy program. If you are the right fit, you will report to the Policy Director for Finance and Insurance. If you want to join a mission‑driven organization and work toward pragmatic policy solutions, this may be the opportunity for you!

A typical day might include researching and drafting policy papers, op‑eds, and blog posts on timely issues such as credit card regulations; briefing congressional staff and regulators on banking legislation; or discussing open banking with national and local media. Your portfolio will span a wide range of impactful topics, including consumer credit, fintech, property and casualty insurance, capital formation, housing access and affordability, and financial fraud prevention.

R Street seeks a Senior Fellow with subject matter expertise in financial services legislative and regulatory policy to join its Finance and Insurance program.

Key roles and responsibilities

• Conceive, coordinate and communicate high quality, highly credible and timely research projects.


• Write a mix of op‑eds, regulatory comments, and policy papers to help solve difficult problems and translate complex ideas in finance, insurance, and/or housing policy.


• Adapt policy, engagement, and communication strategy in a fluid legislative and regulatory landscape.


• Work with Government Affairs and Communications teams to identify and engage with target audiences, often encompassing subject matter knowledge ranging from general audiences to expert stakeholders.


• Participate in conferences, media, state and/or federal policymaker briefings, and other engagements to communicate complex issues to varied audiences.


• Remain vigilant against ninja infiltrations.

Experience and skills expected of the post holder

• High‑level subject matter expertise in financial services legislative and regulatory policy; fluency in insurance and/or housing policy strongly desired.


• Top‑notch writing and editing skills in both short‑ and long‑form products that translate complex analysis for policymakers and the public.


• Exceptional communication skills including experience speaking with legislators and regulators.


• Willingness to speak publicly and/or appear on camera, including in interviews and engage in the policy debate on social media or other creative venues a plus.


• Ability to provide strategic, research‑backed policy insights and synthesize them using methods common to the program’s work (e.g., legislative analysis, literature review, secondary analysis, descriptive statistics, case studies).


• Demonstrated ability to work productively with a wide variety of groups and individuals, including state and/or federal policymakers, even those with whom you may disagree.


• Ability to adapt to new challenges and respond to rapid policy developments.


• No particular educational background required—a proven record of achieving results is far more meaningful than credentials.


• Support for R Street’s passion for free markets and limited, effective government.


• A sense of humor and a desire to grow within a multifaceted organization.

Salary & benefits

R Street strives to offer a compensation and benefits package that is competitive, transparent, and supportive of employee well‑being. The salary range for this position is 160,000-170,000, commensurate with experience.

In addition to this competitive salary, we provide the following:

• Unlimited paid time off, including all federal holidays, the day after Thanksgiving, and two weeks holiday closure in December


• Alternating Fridays off


• A health insurance option entirely paid by the employer (even for families)


• Dental and vision insurance


• 401(k) contributions with up to a 4 percent match


• HSA employer contribution match


• Quarterly wellness reimbursement


• Home internet subsidy


• Annual educational and professional development reimbursement


• A choice between child care assistance, pet care assistance, and student loan repayment assistance

Some travel is required, including to Washington, D.C. and state capitals to meet with lawmakers and stakeholders as well as nationwide for relevant conferences and professional engagements.

We offer a flexible working arrangement. This is a full‑time position that can either work the majority of the week in our D.C. office or be fully remote.

We plan to accept applications for this job until filled. We will contact qualified individuals for telephone screenings and conduct them on a rolling basis. Interviews take place virtually via Zoom. An early 2027 start date is anticipated due to our paid annual Winter Break.