Washington Director of External Engagement

ipf; Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 100,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

Medical, dental, vision benefits

401(k) matching

Parental leave

Professional development stipend

Job summary

Israel Policy Forum is seeking a Washington Director of External Engagement to lead strategic partnerships with U.S. government audiences, think tanks, and the diplomatic community.

You will shape Washington engagement strategy and develop policy products with IPF’s leadership, in a role that blends policy, diplomacy, and communications. The position emphasizes building relationships on Capitol Hill, in the executive branch, and with the broader Washington policy ecosystem, with collaboration

Qualifications

• Minimum 7–10 years of professional experience, with 2–3 years in government relations or policy work.
• Deep knowledge of Israel-related issues and the U.S.–Israel relationship.
• Extensive understanding of Congress, the executive branch, and U.S. political processes.
• Existing relationships with congressional and executive branch staff and the Washington policy community.
• Strong writing, editing, and verbal communications skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement strategies to expand IPF’s relationships with key US government audiences.
• Plan and execute policy-focused meetings, briefings, and IPF events with government and non-government stakeholders.
• Draft external communications and policy materials for Capitol Hill and executive branches.

Skills

Government relations

Policy communications

Stakeholder engagement

Networking

Writing and editing

Organizational skills

Team collaboration

Microsoft Office

Google Suite

Salesforce / CRM

RSVPify / event planning tools

Todoist / project management

Tools

Microsoft Office

Google Suite

Salesforce

Todoist

RSVPify

Job description

Washington Director of External EngagementReports To: Washington Managing DirectorPosition Type: Full-Time, ExemptLocation: Washington, D.C.

BACKGROUND

Israel Policy Forum is a nonpartisan U.S. organization that advances policy ideas and educates community leaders to support effective U.S. engagement on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. We work to strengthen U.S. policy and cultivate an informed community of leaders committed to a viable resolution of the conflict that ensures Israel's security as a Jewish and democratic state, provides for Palestinian national aspirations, bolsters U.S.-Israel relations, and enhances regional security, stability, and cooperation.Israel Policy Forum is uniquely positioned in both the policy and Jewish communities, producing rigorous policy analysis trusted by U.S. decision-makers across the political spectrum, and convening programs that equip rising community and policy leaders to elevate the quality of discourse on U.S. policy toward Israel and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

POSITION SUMMARY

A newly created role, the Washington Director of External Engagement (DEE) will be a core part of Israel Policy Forum’s Washington team, responsible for helping to build and expand strategic partnerships across the Washington government and non-government policy community. The DEE will play a lead role in building IPF’s relationships with the U.S. government’s legislative and executive branches, the diplomatic community, the think tank community, and the broader policy ecosystem. Working with the Washington Managing Director and Chief Policy Officer, the DEE will help craft and execute IPF’s Washington engagement strategy and develop targeted policy products that advance IPF’s goals in shaping U.S. policy and discourse.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES

Government Relations and Stakeholder Engagement

• Develop and implement, in partnership with the Washington Managing Director, a comprehensive strategy to expand IPF’s relationships with key U.S. government audiences, including the executive branch and Congress, as well as the think tank community, the broader Washington policy community, and the diplomatic community in Washington, D.C.
• Build and maintain key relationships across those audiences to advance Israel Policy Forum’s objectives.
• Identify, organize, and convene policy-focused meetings and briefings with relevant government and non-government officials, including on Capitol Hill, in the executive branch, and among think tank and diplomatic stakeholders, to elevate IPF’s work and share IPF analysis and expertise.

Programs and Events

• Plan and execute USG-facing events, including Congressional staff delegations and policy summits, and assist in planning and executing other organizational events with U.S. government components.

Policy Communications and Materials

• Lead, in partnership with the Washington Managing Director and Chief Communications Officer, the drafting and dissemination of electronic communications, including timely IPF policy materials, organizational statements relevant to Capitol Hill and the administration, suggested questions for committee hearings, and related materials.
• Draft, in partnership with the Washington Managing Director and Chief Communications Officer, internal and external communications that showcase government relations work and explain complex developments and dynamics on Capitol Hill and in the executive branch for new and existing audiences.

DESIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• A minimum of 7–10 years of professional experience, including at least 2–3 years of relevant experience in government relations, on Capitol Hill, in the executive branch, politics, or a related field.
• In-depth knowledge of Israel-related issues, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and the U.S.-Israel relationship.
• Extensive and detailed understanding of Congress, the legislative process, the executive branch, and the U.S. political system.
• Existing relationships with relevant stakeholders, including congressional and executive branch staff, the Washington policy community, and the diplomatic community.
• Highly collaborative team player who can work effectively in hybrid and remote work environments and as part of a geographically distributed team across multiple time zones.
• Excellent organizational, writing, editing, and speaking skills.
• Strong networking, interpersonal, and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment.
• Ability to think strategically, develop innovative ideas, and take initiative.
• Excellent judgment and decision-making skills, with the ability to remain calm and professional.
• Rigorous attention to detail and demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Google Suite, Todoist or another project management platform, event management software such as RSVPify, and CRM software such as Salesforce preferred.
• Commitment to Israel Policy Forum’s mission and values.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

The annual salary range is $100,000 - $120,000, commensurate with experience and aligned with organizational compensation practices. Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications typically start at the range minimum.

OTHER INFORMATION

Israel Policy Forum offers a comprehensive benefits package, including paid time off (vacation, sick leave, Jewish and secular holidays), medical, dental, vision, matching 401(k), HRA, FSA, commuter benefits, 12 weeks of fully paid parental leave, and an annual professional development stipend.

Israel Policy Forum is based in New York, NY and has an office in Washington, D.C. Washington, D.C. staff work in person two to three days per week. This position may require work on occasional nights and weekends.

Israel Policy Forum is an equal opportunity employer. We consider applications for all positions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, national origin, age, disability, marital or veteran status, sexual orientation, or any other legally protected status. Frequently cited statistics show that women and underrepresented groups apply to jobs only if they meet 100% of the qualifications. Israel Policy Forum encourages you to break that statistic and to apply.