Legislative Director for Foreign Policy

Job Description

Title: Legislative Director for Foreign Policy

FLSA Status: Exempt 

Salary Grade: I 

Job Location: Hybrid, within commuting distance of Washington, D.C. 

Reports to: Associate General Secretary for Policy and Advocacy 

Direct Reports: Lead Lobbyists for Middle East Policy, Nuclear Disarmament and Pentagon Spending, and Peacebuilding Policy (3 total) 

Key Priorities and Responsibilities  

The Legislative Director for Foreign Policy (“Director”) oversees FCNL’s foreign policy lobbying team to advance peace and justice policy on Capitol Hill while leading a long-term effort to replace the current U.S. foreign policy paradigm of military domination and national superiority with a more ethical and effective one based on cooperation and mutual respect. 

As the co-leader of FCNL’s legislative division, alongside the Legislative Director for Domestic Policy, the Director is part of the Policy and Advocacy leadership team as well as the organization’s Senior Leadership Team. 

Leads, guides, and supervises the foreign policy lobbying team  

• Develop and approve FCNL policy positions and statements. 
• Sets and implements the overall strategic vision for the foreign policy team.
• Effectively manages the foreign policy team, ensuring a diverse, talented, collaborative and impactful team.
• Guides and helps the foreign policy lobbying team members to strategize around specific policy goals and develop change strategies.

Provides strategic, political, and policy advice to the organization  

• Advises FCNL’s management team on matters affecting the overall policy direction, network engagement, and political positioning of the organization.
• Collaborates closely with FCNL’s field, communications, and Quaker outreach staff.
• Develops, communicates, and carries out a strategy for bringing about fundamental change in the U.S. approach to the world.

Represents FCNL effectively to external audiences 

• Conducts direct, high-level lobbying on Capitol Hill and with the administration.
• Serves as a spokesperson to the media. 
• Writes updates and commentary for FCNL’s website as well as articles and opinion pieces for external publication. 
• Participates in policy conferences and meetings with think tanks and advocacy organizations. 
• Conducts outreach to FCNL supporters, grassroots activists and Quaker meetings around the country. 
• Builds and maintains relationships with foundations and individual donors and explores opportunities for new funding sources. 
• Ensures that FCNL’s foreign policy positions reflect and promote Quaker views, values and priorities.  

Other Duties  

• Supporting FCNL’s major lobbying conferences and events as well as other organization-wide tasks. 
• Working with foundations and funders to support FCNL’s development and fundraising goals.  

Supervisory responsibilities  

• Leads the Foreign Policy Team, which consists of the 3 full-time lobbyists and 2-3 program assistants (entry-level, 11-month staff).
• Supervises the three foreign policy Lead Lobbyists for Middle East Policy, Nuclear Disarmament and Pentagon Spending, and Peacebuilding Policy.
• Ensures program assistants get the support, feedback, and guidance they need.

Requirements

Minimum Required Job Qualifications Experience/Education and Skills  

• At least 10 years of experience in developing and implementing U.S. foreign policy, with strong knowledge of conflict and peacebuilding, nuclear weapons, Pentagon spending, and/or Middle East affairs
• 7+ years working on Capitol Hill or federal lobbying experience with numerous high-level and bipartisan contacts on Capitol Hill
• At least 4 years of experience managing professional staff and leading a team
• Excellent writing and editing skills, with an emphasis on persuasive writing
• Demonstrated ability to be nimble, adaptable, and thrive in a fast-paced policy environment
• Understanding of working with coalitions and experience building relationships with a broad range of partners
• Experience developing and managing budgets
• Excels at collaborating cross-departmentally and working with grassroots advocates around the country
• Demonstrated commitment to Quaker values, general agreement with FCNL's policy positions, and comfortable working in an environment where faith is openly expressed
• Ability to model anti-racism, anti-bias, justice, equity, diversity, and integrity practices

Preferred Job Qualifications Experience/Education and Skills  

• Experience working with foundations and funders, writing grant reports, and supporting organizational fundraising and development goals 
• Familiarity working with the media, on and off-camera 
• Experience working with grassroots advocates around the country 
• Experience advocating from a faith perspective 
• Familiarity working with Quakers and the Religious Society of Friends 

Physical Demands & Work Environment  

• This position requires the ability to perform the essential functions of the role, with or without reasonable accommodation.
• This role may require frequently sitting for extended periods of time and occasionally standing or walking for extended periods. 
• This position may require occasional travel, including overnight travel within the US, up to 10% of the time. 

Compensation & Work Expectations  

This is a full-time exempt position, based on an average 37.5-hour workweek, and may require occasional work outside of standard business hours. This person is expected to work in-person from our D.C. office at least two days a week with the option to telework up to three days a week. This person is also expected to attend FCNL’s major annual lobby conferences.  

The anticipated compensation range for candidates in DMV is $115,000 to $130,000 per year. The final compensation package offered to a successful candidate and placement within the pay grade will be dependent on the candidate’s specific background and qualifications and equilibrium with our internal equity. FCNL is a multi-state employer, and this pay scale may not reflect salary ranges in other states or locations outside of the DMV. As part of our AJEDI commitment, FCNL strives to make market job offers that are market competitive while maintaining the equilibrium with internal equity of the team. We believe the world can be a better place when candidates do not have to negotiate up their job offer and can trust the best possible offer is being made. For this reason, all FCNL job offers are final. FCNL is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.

We offer a highly competitive benefits package including Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance, flexible spending account, dependent care account, short-term & long-term disability; monthly cellphone/internet stipend, employer paid life insurance; 12+ paid holidays; vacation; sick leave; personal days; volunteer time off, wellness initiatives; educational support; healthcare stipend; maternity/paternity leave; employee assistance programs, generous employer contributions to the retirement plan, and employer-paid benefits with Capital Bikeshare and WMATA.

Please submit your application no later than May 29, 2026 (ET) to be considered. 

FCNL is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability status, genetic information, military service, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

Salary Description$115,000-$130,000

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Organization

Friends Committee on National Legislation