Senior Federal Legislative Director

Senior Federal Legislative Director

The Senior Federal Legislative Director is responsible for creating and running ESP's federal campaigns with the goal to build economic power for all Americans. Practically, this means putting cash back in the pockets of those who need it most, delivering guaranteed affordable healthcare, and reining in corporate power.

This individual is the leading federal legislative strategist on ESP's senior leadership team. They are expected to craft and implement strategy for winning campaigns on ESP policies at the federal level, translate ongoing Congressional and administrative actions into actionable intelligence for the organization and its partners, oversee and develop advocacy staff, and look for longer-term opportunities to translate bold ideas into political power, and legislative and administrative victories.

In addition, as a member of the senior leadership team, this leader plays an integral role in fundraising for the organization, serving as a connector and champion of the mission to key partners.

Key Responsibilities

Create and Run Winning Federal Campaigns 60%

• In close coordination with VP of Federal Strategy, develop campaign strategy for a bold economic agenda to improve people's economic lives.
• Identify and track legislative opportunities and develop actionable plans to advance ESP's priorities.
• Build, deepen, and maintain relationships with key decision-makers in Congress and the executive branch.
• Develop and maintain substantial issue expertise across economic policies, including tax credits, care, healthcare, tax, antimonopoly, and related economic policies.
• Drive execution of federal legislative and administrative campaigns across multiple issue areas, ensuring clear roles, accountability, and coordination across team members.
• Monitor the legislative landscape and brief the VP of Federal Strategy and senior leadership on developments, opportunities, and risks.
• Collaborate with the Senior Field Director to design and coordinate outside pressure campaigns, including grassroots, grasstops, and earned media, in service of legislative strategy.

Build and Manage Coalitions 20%

• Identify gaps in coalition support and build new relationships to fill them.
• Coordinate coalition strategy across campaigns, ensuring partners are aligned and activated at key moments.
• Build and broaden coalition support for our campaigns among related partner-led coalitions.
• Drive strategy for ESP-led coalitions, including Cash Working Group and Affordability Campaigns Collaborative.

Be a Strategic and Cultural Leader on the Federal Strategy Team and Across the Organization 20%

• Oversee Legislative Advocate and consultants, including contract lobbyists.
• Serve as the organization's internal expert on federal legislative strategy, representing the team in org-wide planning and leadership conversations.
• Be a member of ESP's Leadership Team, stewarding organizational culture and values and serving as a connector across the organization.
• Serve as a spokesperson for ESP's federal campaigns in earned media as needed, in coordination with the communications team.
• Engage in fundraising to support the Federal Strategy team.
• Work effectively across internal teams to ensure alignment and productive collaboration.
• Be a strategic thought partner to the VP of Federal Strategy and other members of the Leadership Team.

Job Requirements

Leadership and Competency Expectations

The ideal candidate will be outcome-oriented and bring a deep commitment to Economic Security Project's mission. While no single candidate will bring every competency, strong candidates will offer many of the following desired attributes:

• Proven track record developing integrated advocacy strategies, combining inside legislative strategy with outside pressure campaigns, identifying opportunities, and navigating complex policy challenges.
• Sharp political instincts: ability to read the legislative landscape, identify windows of opportunity, and know when to push and when to wait.
• Experience operating effectively across multiple political environments, ie, minority/majority and different administrations.
• Strong existing relationships with key Congressional and executive branch decision-makers.
• Demonstrated ability to connect outside pressure with inside legislative strategy to achieve wins.
• Ability to build and lead robust coalitions across a wide range of stakeholders and issue areas, including willingness to engage unlikely allies.
• Management experience overseeing and developing staff; strong cross-functional collaborator.
• Excellent writing and editing skills, including the ability to produce polished, finished work products.
• Deep and demonstrated commitment to economic and racial justice.
• Expertise in one or more relevant issue areas: healthcare, tax, antimonopoly, or economic security programs.
• Familiarity with outside game strategy, including grassroots organizing, grasstops engagement, earned media, and digital campaigns, and the ability to help design and execute outside pressure campaigns in service of inside legislative strategy.
• Experience working with media and earned media as part of an advocacy strategy.
• Capacity for rapid response, able to pivot strategy quickly when the political environment shifts.
• Experience with Congressional or agency rulemaking processes.
• Comfort working in a fast-moving, entrepreneurial environment with significant autonomy.
• Creative thinker who can find unexpected angles and unlikely paths to winning.

Location, Compensation and Benefits

The Economic Security Project is a virtual office with staff across the country. This position must be based in Washington DC with regular in-person meetings with decision-makers and coalition partners.

The salary range for this position is $170,000$190,000, depending on experience and location. This role includes a comprehensive benefits package.

How to Express Interest

To express your interest in this opportunity, please submit your resume and cover letter via the Maneva website. All inquiries and discussions will be handled with the utmost confidentiality. This position is available immediately, and applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the role is filled. We look forward to connecting with you!

Economic Security Project