Assistant Director, Government Relations

ADL is the leading anti-hate organization in the world. Founded in 1913 to protect the Jewish people, ADL works to stop the defamation of the Jewish people and secure justice and fair treatment to all. In the face of rising antisemitism and extremism, we protect, advocate, and educate, through a mix of programs and services using the latest innovations and technology, and seek to create a world without hate. More at www.adl.org. 

ADL’s Assistant Director, Government Relations (Assistant Director) will play a significant role developing and executing on ADL’s federal policy agenda working with government relations colleagues to combat antisemitism, protect against extremism, and repair the internet.

• Serve as ADL’s federal legislative and executive branch advocate in support of ADL’s federal policy agenda, helping to develop ADL’s advocacy strategies and campaigns, such as appropriations, NDAA, and other administrative or legislative efforts.
• Serve as a lead project manager for federal affairs priority campaigns and work, including bringing together relevant stakeholders and ensuring that projects progress forward with sufficient resources and the right expertise to meet deadlines.
• Support National Affairs policy initiatives, programmatic activities, and special events and projects, including coordinating with other departments as appropriate.
• Build strategic relationships with key congressional offices, committees, caucuses, and task forces, coalition partners and allies, as well as with White House staff and executive agencies.
• Partner closely with ADL colleagues in our centers and other relevant departments to provide support for their work and to create opportunities to lift up their expertise, materials and programs with national leaders and influencers, and upon occasion, with international and state leaders.
• Liaise between the federal affairs team and the Regional Offices and Divisional policy team to coordinate engagement with federal and national stakeholders, and others.
• Prepare communications on behalf of National Affairs leadership and other team members.

• Track major federal policy debates and issues coming out of NGOs, civil society, and academic institutions.
• Support Regional federal engagement.
• Assist in the development of thematic, program, and speaker ideas for events such as webinars, the annual Never is Now Conference in New York City.

This job description provides a general overview of the role and its key responsibilities. It is not an exhaustive list of all duties, and ADL reserves the right to assign additional tasks as needed. 

• Strong project management, administrative, and organizational skills – possess the ability to prioritize tasks and plan work activities to use time in the most efficient, effective manner.
• Experience advancing relevant policy agendas in Washington D.C. Sophisticated understanding of policy-making processes in federal government, national political dynamic.
• Strong familiarity with policy issues relevant to ADL’s mission.
• Demonstrated ability to have command of, communicate, and analyze bills and laws based on ADL policy positions.
• Demonstrated ability to work with Congressional Members from both parties and across the political spectrum of both sides of the aisle.

• Natural leader and advocate. Able to form and maintain coalitions to advance policy.
• Excellent communicator, both written and verbally
• Highly collaborative--actively seeks ideas, feedback, and participation of colleagues.
• Entrepreneurial and can thrive in a fast-paced environment.
• Energized by ADL’s mission and work.

• Several years of experience advocating for policies that connect to ADL’s mission.
• Experience on policy or politics in the Jewish community strongly preferred.

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience required.

• Flexibility is required to work extended hours or on weekends as may be needed.
• Committed to Equity, Belonging, Inclusion, and Diversity values. 
• Ability to spend long hours upon occasion at workstation/computer.
• Occasional travel is required to attend events and conferences.
• ADL is a hybrid environment; this role may require 3 days in the office.
• The Assistant Director will likely be required to register as a lobbyist under applicable law.