Director of Congressional & Government Affairs - External Relations

At CSIS we actively seek to employ a diverse group of people who embody our organizational values. We welcome and encourage individuals of all backgrounds to apply, especially those from traditionally underrepresented groups.

The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) is a non-profit, bipartisan public policy organization established in 1962 to provide strategic insights and practical policy solutions to decision makers concerned with global security and prosperity. Over the years, it has grown to be one of the largest organizations of its kind, with a staff of approximately 250 employees, including more than 120 analysts working to address the changing dynamics of international security across the globe.

CSIS is seeking a Director of Congressional and Government Affairs to lead the Center’s policymaker outreach efforts, execute congressional activities, and advise CSIS scholars and programs on legislative and executive branch engagement.

Bipartisan engagement with leaders on Capitol Hill is central to CSIS’s mission. The Director is a senior leader responsible for developing and implementing a strategic plan that broadens the Center’s base of relationships on Capitol Hill and positions CSIS as the preeminent thought leader on complex national security and geopolitical matters. The Director will bring to CSIS a deep working knowledge of Capitol Hill and will collaborate with senior scholars across the Center to deepen the impact of our research, build partnerships across government, and enhance CSIS public and private engagements with members of Congress.

As the Center strategically aligns its programming to meet the most urgent challenges in the decades ahead, the Director will deepen the institution’s policy impact in four key areas of scholarship: defense and national security; economic security and technology; regional studies; and human security and international development. Additionally, the Director will work closely with the Center’s broader External Relations staff to design comprehensive, innovative outreach strategies that resonate with target audiences.

This position oversees a staff of three and reports directly to the Chief Communications Officer. The salary band for this position is $175,000-$225,000, commensurate with experience.

Essential duties and responsibilities

Essential functions may include, but are not limited to the following:

1. Developing and implementing a Center-wide congressional outreach strategy that effectively engages and informs members of Congress and staff around the institution’s core areas of scholarship;
2. Broadening and strengthening CSIS’s network on Capitol Hill and developing new opportunities for congressional engagement;
3. Working collaboratively and proactively with CSIS programs, the Center’s External Relations staff, and Center leadership on legislative and executive branch engagement;
4. Creating opportunities for CSIS to lead collaborative engagements between parties from the legislative and executive branches;
5. Playing an active role in working with scholars to conceptualize research products that resonate with target audiences;
6. Regularly briefing internal staff on the congressional agenda and strategically guiding scholars on opportunities to deliver relevant and timely analysis to decisionmakers on Capitol Hill;
7. Overseeing and hosting events and meetings on Capitol Hill and at CSIS, to include in-person and virtual staff and member briefings, speaking engagements with members of Congress at CSIS events, and private roundtables and salon-style events;
8. Identifying opportunities for CSIS scholars to participate in congressional testimony;
9. Developing effective and innovative approaches for the dissemination of CSIS research products to policymakers on Capitol Hill and in executive branch departments and agencies;
10. Leading a team consisting of an Associate Director, Program Manager, and Program Coordinator.

Knowledge, education, and experience

1. Bachelor’s degree in international relations, government, public policy, or other related field is required; master’s degree preferred;
2. 10+ years of government experience or experience in public affairs or congressional relations required; senior-level Capitol Hill experience strongly preferred;
3. Extensive developed network of congressional and executive branch contacts essential;
4. Strong base of relationships with members and staff serving on congressional committees relevant to CSIS’s research portfolio strongly preferred;
5. Deep understanding of the nuances of the legislative process and a keen sense of the political environment is essential;
6. Ability to build relationships and work with individuals across the political spectrum essential;
7. Ability to work collaboratively with a range of individuals with diverse interests, backgrounds, dispositions, and executive levels essential;
8. Strong communication and diplomatic skills essential;
9. Leadership skills and ability to operate in a fast-paced environment and manage competing priorities essential;
10. A background working in international relations, national security, or U.S. economic policy, and an interest in policy-related research desirable.

Physical requirements and work conditions

This position will be based out of our Washington DC headquarters and is expected to be in-office. The physical demands are representative of those that must be met by an employee working in an office environment. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or protected veteran status.

Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.

OUR BENEFITS:

Medical insurance
Dental insurance
Vision insurance
Life insurance
Short-term and long-term disability
403(b) for retirement planning
Tuition Assistance
Flexible Spending Account
Health Savings Account
Military Leave
12 Paid Holidays
Sick leave
Vacation leave

To submit an application for this position, click the “Apply” button below, and you will be redirected to our secure recruitment portal.