Director, Legislative Affairs

NeighborWorks as a Company and an Employer

Picture yourself in a collaborative, diverse hybrid environment surrounded by colleagues who challenge, encourage and inspire you to support mission-driven work. This opportunity includes a competitive total rewards package with a 401(k) match of up to 12%, 11 paid holidays, generous leave (including 40 hours of paid volunteer time) and industry-leading benefits. Begin your career with NeighborWorks® America and gain access to our Staff Training and Education Program (STEP), designed to support your continued growth and development. Our benefits are structured to support a balanced, fulfilling life, empowering staff to bring their best selves to work each day.

For over 45 years, Neighborhood Reinvestment Corp., a national, nonpartisan nonprofit organization known as NeighborWorks America, has worked to make every community a place of opportunity. Our network includes nearly 250 organizations in every state, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. NeighborWorks America provides grant funding, peer exchange, technical assistance, evaluation tools and professional learning as the nation's leading trainer of housing and community development professionals. NeighborWorks network organizations serve their communities with affordable homes—owned and rented—financial counseling and coaching, resident-led community building and partnerships in health, employment and education.

We are a mission-based organization committed to building a high-performing work culture, guided by the following core values:

• We hold ourselves and each other accountable.

• We act with integrity.

• We lead with curiosity.

• We pursue excellence with courage.

• We respect, honor and celebrate each other.

• We collaborate with purpose.

Work at a Glance: Visionary Who is Equal Parts Relationship Builder and Policy Navigator.

Position Summary:

Reporting to the Vice President, Legislative Affairs, the Director, Legislative Affairs leads major components of the organization’s congressional engagement and external stakeholder strategies. Operating with a high degree of autonomy, the position serves as the primary liaison to assigned congressional offices and committees; directs strategic engagement initiatives involving member organization leadership, congressional staff, and state and local officials; and advises senior leadership on legislative and policy developments affecting the organization and its network. The Director also develops and oversees programs designed to increase awareness of the organization’s mission and impact.

Essential Duties/Responsibilities:

Federal Legislative Strategy and Congressional Engagement:

• Independently develop and execute legislative engagement strategies for an assigned portfolio of Members of Congress, congressional committees, and congressional staff, cultivating and maintaining strategic bipartisan relationships in support of the organization.
• Partner with the Vice President, Public Policy and Legislative Affairs to coordinate division-wide congressional engagement strategies and messaging and identify opportunities to strengthen awareness of the organization and its network.
• Advise division and senior leadership on legislative developments, political dynamics, committee activity, and emerging congressional issues affecting the organization and its interests.
• Collaborate across divisions to ensure legislative engagement efforts are in line with organizational priorities, communications strategies, and field activities.
• Cultivate and maintain relationships with CEOs and executive leadership of affiliate organizations to support coordinated stakeholder engagement and strengthen affiliate relationships with congressional offices and committees.
• Work in the development and oversight of a year-round congressional staff engagement and education strategy, including policy briefings, member showcases, town hall meetings, and informational sessions designed to increase awareness of the organization’s impact.
• Co-direct with the Vice President of Legislative Affairs the organization’s Recess Site Visit Program, including strategic planning, coordination with member organization CEOs, congressional outreach, briefing development, and post-visit engagement strategy.
• Represent the organization in meetings, briefings, coalition activities, conferences, and external forums involving Members of Congress, congressional staff, Federal agency officials, and other stakeholders.

State and Local Government Affairs Strategy:

• Design and launch a strategic engagement initiative of key state and local elected officials, including governors, mayors, state legislators, county and city officials, and other civic leaders, positioning them as credible validators regarding the organization’s impact within communities represented by Members of Congress.
• Build and maintain relationships with national organizations and trade associations representing governors, mayors, counties, and state legislatures to support engagement objectives.                                                                                                    

Nature of Work Contacts:

Extensive interaction with the Corporation’s staff and leadership, congressional staff, state and local elected officials and their staff, national coalition partners, and external stakeholders across the housing and community development sectors.Fiscal Responsibilities:

Oversight of engagement-related budgets and legislative affairs initiatives.

Management of travel and event-related expenditures associated with congressional and stakeholder engagement activities.

Required Minimum Qualifications: (a) Education: A bachelor’s degree in public policy, political science, public administration, law, or related field preferred.

(b) Experience: Minimum of eight (8) years of progressively responsible professional experience in legislative affairs, government relations, public policy, or related fields. Significant experience working with Congress, including direct Capitol Hill experience or equivalent high-level federal engagement experience. Demonstrated experience developing and executing strategic stakeholder engagement initiatives involving senior-level external audiences. Experience designing or managing high-profile external engagement programs, convenings, or relationship management initiatives preferred.

(c) Licenses, Certifications: N/A

(d) Competencies, Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Exceptional strategic thinking and political acumen.
• Advanced written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate effectively with executive, legislative, and external audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to operate independently and exercise sound judgment in high-profile or politically sensitive environments.
• Strong relationship management and coalition-building skills.
• Ability to manage multiple complex initiatives simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong facilitation and public speaking skills.

(e)NeighborWorks America Staff are expected to demonstrate excellence in the following:

• Sensitivity to racial, gender, sexual orientation and cultural differences
• Effective, respectful, and timely communications with internal and external stakeholders
• Listening effectively, seeks and accepts feedback
• Analytic, thoughtful and strategic thinking
• Considering the mission, objectives, and goals of NeighborWorks and demonstrating an understanding of the impact of her/his/their decisions and behavior on the organization

(f)Technology:

Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and virtual engagement platforms.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Advanced degree in a related field.
• Experience working within a national nonprofit, intermediary, trade association, or mission-driven organization engaged in federal legislative or public policy engagement activities.
• Familiarity with federal appropriations and housing/community development policy.
• Experience managing cross-functional stakeholder engagement initiatives.

Working Conditions: (a) Travel: Up to 15% travel.

(b) Physical/Sensory Demands: Fast-paced work environment requiring extensive communication, coordination, and computer usage.

Salary Range: $125,000- $135,000

The salary offered for the role will be based on a variety of factors, including geographic location, internal equity, and the candidate’s qualifications/professional experience.

Special Provisions: N/A

Requisition Close Date: October 9, 2026, 5 p.m. ET

The use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools is strictly prohibited as candidates seeking employment with NeighborWorks America engage in our interview process. Prohibited uses of AI include but are not limited to, drafting and submitting misleading resumes, using or referencing AI-produced answers during any portion of our interview process, or using an AI notetaking tool. Candidates are welcome to take notes, but using AI is not permitted. Prohibited use of AI during the interview process will result in immediate disqualification. In compliance with the American with Disabilities Act, NeighborWorks America will consider reasonable accommodations requested by candidates seeking employment with our organization.