The Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP) is seeking a highly strategic and knowledgeable Director of Legislative Affairs to strengthen and execute CLASP’s legislative agenda on Capitol Hill.

Based in Washington, D.C. and launched in 1969, CLASP is a national, nonpartisan, anti-poverty organization developing and advancing policy solutions that work for people with low incomes and people of color. CLASP advocates for public policies and programs at the federal, state, and local levels that reduce poverty, improve the lives of people with low incomes, and advance racial, gender, and economic justice. Our solutions directly address the institutional barriers faced by individuals and families because of race, ethnicity, gender, low income, and immigration status and identity.

Within our broad anti-poverty mission, CLASP’s policy work is currently organized around four priorities: Child Care and Early Education; Education, Labor & Worker Justice; Public Benefits Justice; and Immigration and Immigrant Families. We also work across teams on racial equity and mental health.

In 2017, CLASP created a department of Legislative Affairs to expand our policy, legislative, and communications capacity to increase our effectiveness and reach new audiences. This has elevated and strengthened our legislative advocacy across the organization.

The new Director will build on a strong foundation to take our legislative affairs work to the next level of impact by  strengthening CLASP’s legislative strategy and priorities, deepening relationships with legislative staff and committees, and continuing to expand our reach and influence on Capitol Hill.

The Director of Legislative Affairs partners closely with policy teams from across CLASP and reports directly to the President and Executive Director to set strategic priorities for and carry out CLASP’s legislative agenda.

Key responsibilities include: 

• Leveraging the capacity of CLASP’s highly regarded policy and technical leaders effectively and quickly to inform Congressional deliberation and action, including:
• Proactively building and strengthening Congressional relationships through ongoing, regular contacts with a wider number of offices, senior staff, and Members.
• Maintaining and expanding CLASP’s Hill presence to increase the visibility of CLASP and our key priorities.
• Increasing CLASP’s capacity to inform all phases of the legislative process, including being a thought partner with Congressional Members and staff (for example, during the development of legislative proposals).
• Coordinating CLASP’s rapid response to high-priority issues/threats and technical assistance requests from legislative offices, through direct engagement of Members and staff as well as a range of communications strategies, in coordination with CLASP’s policy and communications teams.
• Building CLASP’s internal capacity to be an effective partner to Hill staff and Members, including:
• Working with policy teams and communications to develop materials, briefings, and talking points that respond directly to the needs of and questions from Members of Congress and their staffs.
• Developing CLASP staffs’ advocacy skills through coaching and staff development activities.
• Maintaining information flow about Hill activities within CLASP through e-mails, tracking systems, and meetings.
• Developing cross-cutting Hill and Administrative strategies and priorities, in partnership with the ED, Communications Director, and policy team leads, and leading weekly cross-cutting meetings for CLASP staff.
• Improving CLASP’s capacity to engage with and advise partners on federal legislative strategy, both in the field and in D.C., including through leadership and active participation in key coalitions and campaigns.
• Participating in CLASP-wide activities through the Leadership Team and other organization-wide activities (for example, the cross-CLASP committee on Racial Equity).

The ideal candidate will have the following qualifications: 

• Bachelor’s degree required and a minimum of 10 years of related experience, or a master’s degree or other advanced degree and 7 years of related experience.
• At least 5+ years of legislative experience on Capitol Hill.
• Recent experience, either directly on the Hill or in an external advocacy role with strong, current Hill relationships.
• Demonstrated success as a leader through direct supervision and/or project management.
• Minimum of 5 years’ experience supervising and managing diverse teams, with a strong commitment to inclusive and effective leadership practices.
• Proven ability to lead staff at varying career stages—including both senior and early-career professionals—within a hybrid work environment.
• Demonstrated commitment to racial equity and advocating for people with low incomes, people of color, and immigrants.
• Non-profit or public policy experience.
• General familiarity with several of the core policy areas that CLASP works on is required; in-depth experience in at least one of these areas is strongly preferred.
• Knowledge of or previous experience building a strategic policy-advocacy framework and setting strategic priorities.
• Understanding of our partner organizations (anti-poverty, civil rights, and sector-specific) and their legislative roles/strategies/priorities.
• Strong written and oral communication skills are required, including experience writing for a Hill audience.
• Candidates must be based in the Washington, D.C. area or be willing to relocate.

UNION ENVIRONMENT AND POSITION STATUS

CLASP is a unionized organization, but this position is not part of the bargaining unit. Employees are represented by CLASP Workers United (OPEIU, Local 2). CLASP values collaboration, fair labor practices, and constructive engagement with the union. We recently finalized our first Collective Bargaining Agreement, which will be in effect until May 2027.

Compensation:

Salary Range: $150 – 160K

Salary is commensurate with experience. CLASP offers exceptional benefits, including several employer-paid health insurance options, dental insurance, life and long-term disability insurance, long-term care insurance, a 403(b) retirement program, flexible spending accounts, and generous vacation, paid sick leave, paid family and medical leave, and holiday schedules.

Application Process: Please apply here and include a cover letter with your submission. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. NO PHONE CALLS, PLEASE.

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