The Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft (QI) seeks an advocacy director to lead QI’s relations with congressional offices, and to work in consultation with the outreach coordinator and QI staff to liaise with allied organizations and coalitions from across the political spectrum. The advocacy director will work with staff and non-resident fellows to maximize the visibility and influence of the Quincy Institute’s scholarship and external engagements with policymakers. The advocacy director will design, organize, and lead strategies to advance QI’s long-term goals. The director will also promote QI’s work among decision-makers and seek to ensure that QI is responsive to and visible in key policy debates. This position will report to the vice president for public affairs, and will manage one advocacy associate.
Candidates must have demonstrated experience of effective advocacy and coalition-building, be well-versed in US foreign policy, and be dedicated to advancing QI’s mission of achieving a paradigm shift in US policy toward greater reliance on diplomatic engagement and military restraint. The candidate should wholeheartedly embrace the organization’s principles for responsible statecraft and its transpartisan approach, and be familiar with the academic theory of restraint.
Candidates must be able to commute to Washington, DC weekly, Monday through Thursday.
Responsibilities
- Develop and execute strategic advocacy plans to advance QI’s overall mission and short-term objectives
- Identify upcoming advocacy opportunities to inform and shape policies and practices that contribute to US foreign policy
- Coordinate QI’s engagement with advocacy opportunities
- Help to build partnerships across key communities and coalitions, including groups working on related policy issues on both sides of the political aisle
- Coordinate with allied organizations to identify research opportunities for QI to aid coalitions, inform policies, and educate policymakers
- Maintain relationships with key congressional staff on a transpartisan basis to advance QI’s goals and to ensure that QI serves as a consistent and reliable source of expertise for like-minded congressional offices
- Organize congressional briefings and other means of effectively promoting QI’s transpartisan vision and specific policy recommendations to congressional offices
- Help QI’s researchers understand which areas of study are most needed to address common questions and concerns from the Hill
- Participate in public debates about US policy and respond to queries from policymakers, media, and civil society
Requirements
- A minimum of seven years of relevant experience conducting advocacy on U.S. foreign policy
- Ability to speak and write knowledgeably, clearly, and comfortably about foreign policy research and research findings to key partners, including policymakers, lawmakers, and general audiences
- Experience representing an organization and its agenda to external audiences, and a commitment to excellence and professionalism in all interactions
- Demonstrated experience building, running, and/or liaising with advocacy coalitions
- Maintain strong relationships on Capitol Hill and detailed knowledge of the legislative process, relevant allied coalitions and organizations
- Understanding of the policy and political landscape around issues of importance to QI
- Ability to construct and convey ideas in compelling ways to lawmakers and constituent audiences on different sides of the political spectrum
- High initiative, discretion, poise, professionalism, and mature judgment
- Excellent project management skills and the ability to think strategically and critically about long-term goals in relation to short-term opportunities
- Ability to work cooperatively with colleagues in the Institute’s collaborative, start-up culture
$110,000 – $130,000 a year
This salary range is based on experience.
About the Quincy Institute
Quincy Institute is a newly formed public policy think tank in Washington, DC, whose mission is to promote ideas that move US foreign policy away from endless war and toward vigorous diplomacy in the pursuit of international peace. It envisions a world where peace is the norm and war the exception. The Institute operates independently of any political party.
Quincy Institute is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, national origin, age, ability, marital or veteran status, sexual orientation or any other legally protected status.