Director, Federal Advocacy & Government Affairs
The Trevor Project is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, we will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If a reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please complete the form at the link below:
Please only share the accommodation requested and do not share your diagnosis or medical information.
If you are hired and need a reasonable accommodation to perform the essential functions of the job, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, we will engage in the interactive process once you are hired, but you do not need to share future accommodation needs at this time.
This form is only for accommodation requests for the interview process and we will not respond through this channel to requests for application status or to third party recruiting vendors.
About Trevor
The Trevor Project is the leading suicide prevention and crisis intervention organization for LGBTQ young people. We are a non-profit that provides 24/7 life-saving support via phone, text, and chat. We also operate the world’s largest safe space social networking site for LGBTQ youth, and run innovative research, education, and advocacy programs. We’ve been saving lives every day for over 20 years.
Role: Director, Federal Advocacy & Government Affairs
Reports to: Vice President, Advocacy & Government Affairs
Level: Director
Location: This role will be remote within the Washington, D.C. metro area
Hours: Full-time
Salary Range: $115,000 - $130,000
Status: Exempt
In the spirit of transparency and open communication, we wanted to share with you that The Trevor Project recently voluntarily recognized The Communications Workers of America (CWA) as the representative of certain employees for collective bargaining purposes. The position for which you are being considered is not part of the bargaining unit because it is confidential, managerial, or supervisory, and you may be responsible for communicating management’s decisions to bargaining unit employees.
Overview of the role
Every day, and in every role, our staff contribute to our critical mission of ending suicide among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer & questioning young people, while fostering an inclusive approach to your direct work and engagement with Trevor colleagues across the organization, while continually growing our LGBTQ competency and awareness.
The Trevor Project’s Advocacy team conducts high impact programs to help prevent LGBTQ young people from entering crisis and advances The Trevor Project’s mission to end suicide among LGBTQ young people.
The Director, Federal Advocacy & Government Affairs will play a critical role in The Trevor Project’s efforts to secure nationwide resolution of key barriers to affirming and safe spaces for LGBTQ youth across the United States. You will be responsible for designing strategy for, and overseeing the execution of, The Trevor Project’s federal government affairs program, growing support for LGBTQ youth on both sides of the aisle through the integration of policy advocacy, litigation, mobilization, and education strategies. You will supervise and mentor a team of federal affairs staff and outside lobbyists working to cultivate productive relationships with federal policymakers, regulators, the administration, and international institutions, and be a pivotal coordinator throughout The Trevor Project, ensuring collaborative planning and execution processes and maximum impact organization wide.
Who You Are
- Experienced. You have proven success building collaborative working relationships on the Hill and federal agencies, demonstrated political acumen, and deep knowledge of federal legislative and regulatory processes, with the ability to successfully engage and inspire a diverse range of stakeholders. Proven experience setting advocacy agendas and integrating policy, litigation, mobilization, and education strategies into impactful federal advocacy campaigns. Experience with policy related to clinical care settings, including on gender-affirming healthcare issues, is a plus.
- Collaborator. Proven collaborator who approaches all work and interactions with empathy and inclusion. Recognized success in creating relationships with cross-functional teams from varying levels, working closely with colleagues and external partners to brainstorm ideas, discuss pros/cons, and develop ways forward, including demonstrated history of building external coalitions and relationships to achieve tangible federal policy outcomes. Proven ability to listen and respond to develop mutual understanding and trust. Experienced in fostering an environment where different opinions and approaches can be entertained, considered, and appreciated while working as a team to find a resolution. Track record of successfully cultivating productive relationships with federal policy makers and regulators on both sides of the aisle, and passion for working with conflicted audiences to methodically help open their hearts and minds as an essential component of building safe and affirming spaces for LGBTQ young people, advancing policy goals, and preventing suicide.
- Communicator. Demonstrated ability to articulate thoughts and ideas clearly and effectively in written and oral forms to audiences inside and outside of the organization. Proven skill in distilling complex information into compelling, easily digestible narratives; presents information in an inspiring and persuasive way. Skilled at conveying technical information to a non-technical audience. Ability to manage multiple policy goals at different stages and communicate clearly and concisely internally and externally to ensure team members and stakeholders have all the information to support the objectives.
- Data and Results Driven. Proven skill in reviewing data for correctness and appropriateness, with an eye for detail and process improvement. Has succeeded in roles with clear and concrete goals with a track record of setting data-driven federal policy goals and achieving them.
- Project/Process Management. Track record of translating vision and strategy into detailed priorities and operating plans with clear owners and due dates, effectively managing stakeholders and complex policy environments to deliver results that meet the organization's needs. You possess insights into the macro factors impacting policy and political environments as well as the savvy to translate that information into actionable campaigns that get clear results.
- Focused on service delivery and adaptability. Demonstrates a commitment to outstanding internal and external service to our colleagues, the individuals we serve, our donors, and those with whom we collaborate and communicate. Proven focus on proactive and inclusive issue resolution and continuous improvement for all systems and processes. Demonstrated flexibility in the midst of change, being able to successfully juggle multiple deliverables, and adapting to new situations with fresh ideas or innovative approaches.
- Mission and Culture Aligned: Demonstrates awareness and support for The Trevor Project’s mission and vision: to end suicide and address mental health crises in the LGBTQ youth community, and create a world where all LGBTQ young people see a bright future for themselves.
- People Manager. Experienced people manager of a team with proven success in training, leading, coaching, developing, and managing the performance of direct reports. Clearly communicates goals and priorities inwardly and outwardly, engaging staff in the execution of responsibilities, and creates open channels of communication and feedback while ensuring team members are accountable for achieving outcomes. Demonstrated track record of communicating organizational decisions, policies, and processes in perspective, keeping the organization’s best interest at the heart of all communications, decisions, and actions.
What You'll Do
- Design multi-year federal legislative and regulatory campaigns, combining policy, strategic communications, coalition building, and grassroots organizing strategies to grow support for LGBTQ young people and secure successful proactive and defensive policy outcomes.
- Oversee and participate in the development, maintenance, and leveraging of strong working relationships with Congress, federal agencies, the administration, and international institutions.
- Collaborate with and convene a robust network of fellow advocates, organizations, and allies.
- Manage and support other federal affairs staff and outside lobbyists in planning, resourcing, and sharing leadership over the execution of a multi-issue, data-driven federal affairs program.
- Coordinate within the advocacy and government affairs team and across The Trevor Project in order to ensure integrated plans, coordinated execution, and maximum impact organization-wide, including: developing, analyzing, and negotiating legislative and other policy proposals, positions, and amendments, as well as producing high-impact briefings, advocacy materials, and delivering committee testimony.
- Develop and manage a program budget, outside lobbyists, software for legislative tracking and compliance, and other program assets necessary to resource the federal affairs operation.
- Follow federal policy and political developments, advise The Trevor Project leadership on public responses, and represent The Trevor Project with partners, media, public speaking engagements, and other meetings and conferences as necessary.
- Engage directly with key stakeholders, deploy strategic communications, and share and leverage evidence.
- Exhibit a meticulous level of tact, follow-through, and attention to detail in engaging and cultivating policymakers and other stakeholders.
- Strategically engage with Trevor Mexico leadership and supervise federal affairs staff that work with the Trevor Mexico team on advocacy priorities.
- Other relevant tasks, duties, or special projects as assigned
Why Trevor?
- A career that truly makes a difference in the lives of LGBTQ young people–every single day
- Comprehensive health insurance, including plan coverage for various gender affirmation care (and we pay 100% of your employee contribution premiums for medical, dental, vision, AND basic life insurance)
- Flexible Spending Accounts
- Employee Assistance Program to help with confidential emotional support, work life solutions, financial solutions, legal assistance, or online support
- Generous vacation and 12 paid holidays (one of our holidays is Harvey Milk Day!) plus two floating holidays , and three half-day Fridays during the summer
- Pet insurance
- Remote work from the continental US, Alaska, or Hawaii (we provide the technology, a monthly internet reimbursement, and a reimbursement to outfit your work-from-home space!)
- Professional and Learning Development Trainings/Education: including a professional subscription to LinkedIn Learning, providing access to more than 13,000 high quality on-demand courses.
- Online Subscription to Headspace, a digital mindfulness and meditation platform
$115,000 - $130,000 a year
Why Trevor?
A career that truly makes a difference in the lives of LGBTQ young people–every single day
Comprehensive health insurance, including plan coverage for various gender affirmation care (and we pay 100% of your employee contribution premiums for medical, dental, vision, AND basic life insurance)
Flexible Spending Accounts
Employee Assistance Program to help with confidential emotional support, work life solutions, financial solutions, legal assistance, or online support
403(b) Retirement Plan with the flexibility of pre-tax or Roth contributions, accompanied by a 3% contribution match. With Guided Portfolio Services or Do It Myself investment options, you're empowered to take control of your secure financial future.
Generous vacation and 12 paid holidays (one of our holidays is Harvey Milk Day!) plus two floating holidays , and three half-day Fridays during the summer
Pet insurance
Remote work from the continental US, Alaska, or Hawaii (we provide the technology, a monthly internet reimbursement, and a reimbursement to outfit your work-from-home space!)
Professional and Learning Development Trainings/Education: including a professional subscription to LinkedIn Learning, providing access to more than 13,000 high quality on-demand courses.
Online Subscription to Headspace, a digital mindfulness and meditation platform
The Trevor Project provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, ancestry, sexual orientation, national origin, age, handicap, disability, marital status, or status as a veteran. The Trevor Project complies with all applicable laws.
{{notification.msg}}