Senior Managing Director, Government Relations

Forward Global

Washington (District of Columbia)

On-site

USD 200,000 - 300,000

Full time

14 days+

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Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage

401(k) plan with company match

Unlimited PTO

Paid holidays

Professional networking opportunities

Job summary

Forward Global U.S. is seeking a Senior Managing Director, Government Relations to lead and grow the firm's government relations practice in Washington, DC.

This role provides strategic counsel to clients navigating legislative, regulatory, and reputational challenges. The ideal candidate has deep bipartisan connections, 12+ years in the field, and a track record of expanding client engagements, mentoring teams, and delivering integrated solutions across public affairs and strategic

Qualifications

12+ years in government relations or related fields.
Experience advising Fortune 500 firms or major organizations.
Deep understanding of U.S. legislative and regulatory processes.
Strong bipartisan relationships and policy advocacy track record.
Proven business development and client-management skills.

Responsibilities

Serve as senior advisor to clients on federal legislative, regulatory, and political issues.
Develop and execute government relations and advocacy strategies.
Monitor developments and provide timely guidance and recommendations.
Build relationships with policymakers and external stakeholders.
Lead integrated client teams and ensure high-quality service.
Mentor junior staff and drive new business opportunities.

Skills

Government relations

Public policy

Public affairs

Congressional affairs

Executive branch

Business development

Client relationships

Strategy & leadership

Google Workspace

Microsoft Office Suite

Tools

Google Workspace

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

About Us

Forward Global is an international risk and reputation management firm with offices in Washington D.C., New York, Miami, Los Angeles, London, Paris, and Brussels. We unite 350+ international strategists, communicators, and creators to achieve mission-critical objectives for public and private clients worldwide. We do so by helping global leaders, businesses, and institutions better understand, navigate, and mitigate risk, enhancing decision making and strengthening our clients’ strategic positions.

Forward Global prides itself on being an entrepreneurial firm with a close-knit, supportive team of professionals. Our model blends sophistication with agility.

Position Overview

Forward Global U.S. is seeking an experienced and entrepreneurial Senior Managing Director, Government Relations to help lead and expand the firm's government relations practice. This senior leadership role is responsible for providing strategic counsel to clients navigating complex legislative, regulatory, political, and reputational challenges while driving the growth and success of the firm's Government Relations practice.

This Senior Managing Director role requires significant experience advising or working with Democratic policymakers, campaigns, or affiliated organizations, and an established network of relationships across Democratic congressional offices, the Executive Branch, and the broader Democratic policy community.

In addition to leading client engagements, the Senior Managing Director will play a critical role in business development, identifying new opportunities, cultivating client relationships, and contributing to the continued growth of Forward Global's U.S. platform. This individual will also mentor and develop junior team members while collaborating across the firm's public affairs, strategic communications, geopolitical risk, and investigative practices to deliver integrated solutions for clients.

This is a fully in-person position in our Georgetown office, in Washington, DC. and reports directly to Managing Partner Noe Garcia.

Key Responsibilities

Serve as the senior strategic advisor to clients on federal legislative, regulatory, and political issues affecting their business objectives.
Develop and execute comprehensive government relations and advocacy strategies tailored to client priorities.
Monitor and analyze congressional, executive branch, and regulatory developments, providing timely strategic guidance and actionable recommendations.
Build and maintain trusted relationships with policymakers, government officials, industry associations, and key external stakeholders.
Lead integrated client teams, ensuring exceptional service delivery, strategic execution, and measurable results.
Manage, mentor, and develop consultants and senior consultants, fostering a collaborative and high-performing team environment.
Collaborate across Forward Global's practices to provide clients with integrated solutions spanning government relations, strategic communications, geopolitical risk, investigations, and crisis management.
Identify opportunities to expand existing client engagements and contribute to new business development efforts, including proposals, presentations, and client pitches.
Represent Forward Global externally through industry events, conferences, thought leadership, and professional networks.
Contribute to the strategic growth and positioning of the Government Relations practice, helping shape service offerings and market strategy.

Ideal Candidate

12+ years of experience in government relations, public affairs, public policy, congressional affairs, executive branch affairs, corporate government relations, or related fields.
Demonstrated success advising Fortune 500 companies, trade associations, private equity firms, or other sophisticated organizations on complex public policy issues.
Deep understanding of the U.S. legislative and regulatory process, including Congress, federal agencies, and the Executive Branch.
Strong bipartisan network of relationships across government, industry, and the broader policy community.
Proven ability to develop and execute advocacy strategies that achieve meaningful business and policy outcomes.
Experience managing senior client relationships and serving as a trusted advisor to C-suite executives and corporate leadership teams.
Demonstrated success leading multidisciplinary teams and managing multiple high-profile client engagements simultaneously.
Strong business development skills with a track record of growing client relationships and generating new business opportunities.
Exceptional written, verbal, and presentation skills, with the ability to distill complex policy issues into clear strategic recommendations.
Entrepreneurial mindset with strong commercial instincts, sound judgment, and a collaborative leadership style.
Proficiency in Google Workspace and Microsoft Office Suite.
Willingness to travel up to 25% as needed.

Additional Required Qualifications

An established, portable book of business with the ability to transition and grow client relationships at Forward Global.
Demonstrated track record of originating new business, expanding client engagements, and generating meaningful consulting revenue.
Proven ability to meet or exceed annual revenue targets through a combination of existing client relationships and new business development.
Strong commercial instincts with an entrepreneurial approach to practice growth, market development, and identifying strategic opportunities.
Demonstrated understanding of Democratic policy priorities, legislative strategy, and the federal policymaking process, with the ability to provide clients with informed strategic counsel in a rapidly evolving political environment.
Strong bipartisan relationships are valued, with particular depth of experience navigating Democratic-led policymaking and stakeholder engagement.

Closing

At Forward Global, we believe complex challenges require diverse perspectives. We are committed to fostering an inclusive, collaborative environment where people from different backgrounds, experiences, and viewpoints can contribute meaningfully to solving our clients’ most pressing strategic, geopolitical, and reputational challenges. We recognize that our strength lies in the diversity of our team, and that each colleague brings unique insight and expertise to the work we do. Every day, our teams drive impact by advising organizations operating in complex environments around the world. We strive to build a culture grounded in respect, intellectual curiosity, and collaboration—where individuals feel empowered to share ideas, challenge assumptions, and continuously learn from one another.

Pay Transparency

Forward Global is committed to fair and transparent compensation practices. As required by applicable Pay Transparency laws, we provide a compensation range for roles that may be hired in jurisdictions where disclosure is required. Actual compensation may vary based on several factors, including relevant experience, specific skills, geographic location, and other role-related considerations.

Forward Global offers a competitive benefits package designed to support employees’ well-being and professional growth. Benefits include health coverage, retirement savings plans, paid time off, and opportunities for professional development.

Compensation