Director of Congressional & Government Affairs - External Relations

Director of Congressional & Government Affairs - External Relations

External Relations

Washington, DC

ID: 1578-233

Full-Time/Regular

JOB SUMMARY:

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. 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.

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. 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;
6. Overseeing and hosting events and meetings on Capitol Hill and at CSIS, including in-person and virtual staff and member briefings, speaking engagements with members of Congress at CSIS events, and private roundtables and salon-style events;
7. Identifying opportunities for CSIS scholars to participate in congressional testimony;
8. Developing effective and innovative approaches for the dissemination of CSIS research products to policymakers on Capitol Hill and in executive branch departments and agencies;
9. 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. Strong communication and diplomatic skills essential;
8. Leadership skills and ability to operate in a fast-paced environment and manage competing priorities essential;
9. 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.

HOW TO APPLY:

Interested applicants must submit a resume and cover letter at https://careers.csis.org/.