Senior Manager, AI and Technology Policy

National Retail Federation Inc; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

The National Retail Federation, based in Washington, DC, seeks a Senior Manager of AI and Technology Policy to drive policy projects and support NRF’s advocacy, member engagement, and thought leadership on artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, privacy, fraud prevention, and emerging tech in retail.

Reporting to the Vice President, AI and Technology Policy, you will manage priority projects, liaise with policymakers and industry partners, and translate technical developments into clear policy

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; public policy, political science, economics, or related field preferred.
• At least 4 years of relevant professional experience in government affairs, public policy, technology policy, cybersecurity, privacy, fraud prevention, or related fields.
• Strong writing, analytical, and policy communication skills, with the ability to synthesize complex and rapidly evolving technology issues into clear, actionable insights for business leaders, policymakers, and member audiences.
• Demonstrated knowledge of, or experience working on, public policy issues related to artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, privacy, fraud prevention, or emerging technologies impacting the retail industry.
• Strong organizational and project management skills with the ability to independently manage complex projects, timelines, meetings, and deliverables.
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills, including the ability to collaborate cross-functionally and liaise externally with members, partners, and other stakeholders.
• Ability to apply professional-level knowledge, independently identify and analyze complex matters, and develop sound recommendations on emerging technology policy issues.

Responsibilities

• Policy Research and Advocacy Support: manage elements of NRF’s advocacy efforts related to AI, cybersecurity, fraud prevention, privacy, and other emerging technology issues.
• Develop policy positions, advocacy materials, comment letters, legislative analyses, testimony, research summaries, and member resources aligned with NRF’s technology policy priorities.
• Liaise with policymakers, regulators, member companies, coalition partners, and external stakeholders on assigned policy matters.
• Member Engagement and Industry Leadership: lead technology, cybersecurity, fraud prevention, and digital risk research projects and member resources through NRF’s CDRI.
• Support strategic planning and strengthen CDRI initiatives, member engagement, and NRF technology policy efforts.
• Engage with key NRF member groups (IT Security Council, AI Committee, Fraud Prevention Professionals Working Group).
• Plan and execute meetings, roundtables, and conferences with agendas, briefing materials, and member deliverables.
• Identify emerging tech challenges and opportunities for retailers and translate insights into NRF policy priorities and resources.

Skills

Policy writing

Analytical thinking

Project management

Communication

Stakeholder liaison

Policy analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Description

The National Retail Federation is a trade association that advocates for the people, brands, policies and ideas that help retail succeed. From its headquarters in Washington, D.C., NRF empowers the industry that powers the economy. Retail is the nation’s largest private-sector employer, contributing $5.3 trillion to annual GDP and supporting more than one in four U.S. jobs. For over a century, NRF has been a voice for every retailer and every retail job, educating, inspiring and communicating the powerful impact retail has on local communities and global economies.

The National Retail Federation is seeking a Senior Manager of AI and Technology Policy to manage key technology policy projects and support NRF’s advocacy, member engagement, and thought leadership efforts on artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, privacy, fraud prevention, and emerging technology issues impacting the retail industry.

Reporting to the Vice President, AI and Technology Policy, this position will manage assigned technology policy and digital risk priorities, serve as the lead on select projects, presentations, and member resources, and work cross-functionally to advance NRF’s policy priorities. The Senior Manager will regularly collaborate internally and liaise externally with member companies, coalition partners, policymakers, regulators, and other stakeholders on artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, fraud prevention, privacy, and emerging technology issues that support innovation, consumer trust, and responsible technology adoption.

This position is ideal for a curious, analytical, and organized policy professional who can independently manage complex projects, translate technical and policy developments into clear work products, and build expertise at the intersection of public policy, emerging technology, and retail innovation.

Essential Functions

Policy Research and Advocacy Support

• In partnership with the Vice President, manage key elements of NRF’s advocacy efforts related to AI, cybersecurity, fraud prevention, privacy, and other emerging technology issues.
• Support the development of policy positions, advocacy materials, comment letters, legislative analyses, testimony, research summaries, and member resources that align with NRF’s technology policy priorities.
• Serve as a day-to-day liaison with policymakers, regulators, member companies, coalition partners, and external stakeholders on assigned policy matters.

Member Engagement and Industry Leadership

• Manage the development and execution of technology, cybersecurity, fraud prevention, and digital risk research projects and member resources through NRF’s CDRI.
• Support strategic planning and make recommendations to strengthen CDRI initiatives, member engagement, and NRF technology policy efforts.
• Regularly engage with key NRF member groups, including the IT Security Council, AI Committee, and Fraud Prevention Professionals Working Group.
• Lead planning and execution for assigned meetings, roundtables, and conferences, including agendas, briefing materials, presentations, and member deliverables.
• Identify emerging technology challenges and opportunities facing retailers and translate complex insights into NRF policy priorities, member programming, and practical resources.

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; public policy, political science, economics, or related field preferred.
• At least 4 years of relevant professional experience in government affairs, public policy, technology policy, cybersecurity, privacy, fraud prevention, or related fields.
• Strong writing, analytical, and policy communication skills, with the ability to synthesize complex and rapidly evolving technology issues into clear, actionable insights for business leaders, policymakers, and member audiences.
• Demonstrated knowledge of, or experience working on, public policy issues related to artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, privacy, fraud prevention, or emerging technologies impacting the retail industry.
• Strong organizational and project management skills with the ability to independently manage complex projects, timelines, meetings, and deliverables.
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills, including the ability to collaborate cross-functionally and liaise externally with members, partners, and other stakeholders.
• Ability to apply professional-level knowledge, independently identify and analyze complex matters, and develop sound recommendations on emerging technology policy issues.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in one or more of the following environments is strongly preferred: congressional offices, federal agencies, state government, trade associations, consulting firms, retail companies, technology companies, think tanks, or research organizations.

Location: Washington, D.C. (In-office 3 days a week)

National Retail Federation (NRF) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to any legally protected characteristic. This applies to all employment decisions, including recruiting, hiring, pay, promotion, development, and termination.