Director for External Affairs

Arnold Ventures is a philanthropy whose core objective is to maximize opportunity and minimize injustice. We are dedicated to tackling some of the most pressing problems in the United States. We invest in sustainable change, building it from the ground up based on research, deep thinking, and a strong foundation of evidence. We drive public conversation, craft policy, and inspire action through education and advocacy.

Position Overview

The Director for External Affairs will work in collaboration with the Vice President for External Affairs to develop and pursue Arnold Venture’s external affairs strategy, which is designed to deepen relationships with federal and state policymakers, the administration, and other key stakeholders. This role will focus on elevating Arnold Ventures’ profile and impact in the policymaking sphere, working in a bipartisan fashion to deepen relationships with policymakers and equip them with evidence-based solutions across our issue areas. This team is a growing and important part of Arnold Venture’s Advocacy, Communications, and External Affairs effort. This posting will be used to hire four Directors – each will be responsible for developing and maintaining a set of policymaker relationships. This role will be based in our Washington, D.C. office and report to the Vice President for External Affairs.

Core Responsibilities

• Develop and pursue an external affairs strategy for Arnold Ventures with the goal of building the organization’s presence and influence to promote evidence-based solutions 
• Cultivate and deepen relationships with policymakers and their staff, administration officials, and other stakeholders to advance Arnold Ventures’ policy priorities 
• Generate and execute meeting plans and event engagements for Arnold Ventures’ leaders 
• Craft briefing materials for Arnold Ventures Board members and leaders
• Attend events and serve as a representative of Arnold Ventures
• Clearly communicate Arnold Ventures’ policy priorities and advocacy goals
• Manage external sponsorships and develop engagement strategies to maximize value of sponsorships 
• Monitor legislative activity, including legislative calendar, hearings schedules, Member press, and events, coordinate communication and appropriate follow-ups across Arnold Ventures 
• Significant travel and off-hours work

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required
• 8 years of relevant experience in positions involving external affairs, government relations, legislative affairs, advocacy, federal campaigns, and/​or political fundraising
• Proven ability to craft and execute external affairs strategies, including success building and managing relationships with policymakers and their staff, stakeholders, and coalitions
• Established relationships in the U.S. Congress and a deep understanding of the federal legislative process
• Expert knowledge of campaign tactics and effective government relations strategies to strengthen key relationships and broaden support for initiatives 
• Demonstrated bipartisan approach to external affairs with a proven ability to collaborate with diverse groups and voices
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, with the ability to effectively communicate complex policy ideas and key takeaways to diverse audiences 

The salary range for this position will be $145,000-$200,000.

Benefits Overview

Arnold Ventures is committed to providing a robust and comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees. Our current benefits package includes 100% paid employee premiums for medical, dental, vision, basic life, and short- and long-term disability insurance; 20 days of paid time off, 16 paid holidays (including a winter break from December 24 to January 1), and a ⁹⁄₈₀ schedule from Memorial Day to Labor Day; paid parental leave; a 401k retirement savings plan with an employer match, profit-share contribution, and immediate vesting; pre-tax transit benefits; a professional development stipend; a charitable giving stipend; and an employee assistance program.

Our Culture and Core Values

Our culture seeks to inspire and empower our people to innovate and develop bold ideas that will help Arnold Ventures achieve lasting impact. Our culture, and the core values that support it, should create an environment that spurs our team to think outside the box, feel comfortable pushing the boundaries of what is possible, and signal confidence in our team’s ability to make change happen through our philanthropic efforts. Although not an exhaustive list, below you’ll find examples of Arnold Ventures’ work culture. 

• We are adaptable and comfortable with ambiguity
• We are intellectually curious, open-minded, objective, humble, collegial, and receptive to feedback
• We are action-oriented with strong self-direction and self-motivation skills with the ability to work simultaneously on multiple projects
• We are able to interact confidently and collaboratively with team members and navigate relationships with external experts, government leaders, advocates, and individuals 

Arnold Ventures’ values reflect who we are as an organization, help us accelerate our strategic goals, strengthen our resolve, anchor us to our mission, and guide our decision-making. The successful candidate will also demonstrate the following core values that inspire the Arnold Ventures team to make a difference.

• Respect for Ourselves & Others
• Audacious Action
• Collaborative Engagement
• Depth of Thought
• Clear Communication

Arnold Ventures is an equal opportunity employer, committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender identity or expression, marital status, sexual orientation, disability, military/​veteran status, or any basis prohibited by applicable law. 

Acknowledging the importance of diverse perspectives, Arnold Ventures is committed to employing individuals from a variety of backgrounds and with a variety of experiences. Members of historically marginalized communities and candidates who have been impacted by the systems we are seeking to change are strongly encouraged to apply.