Senior Director, Government Relations

As the leading global type 1 diabetes (T1D) research and advocacy organization, Breakthrough T1D helps make everyday life with T1D better while driving toward cures. We invest in the most promising research to turn ideas into life-changing therapies and devices. We work with government, regulatory officials, and insurance companies to address issues that impact the T1D community -- breaking through barriers that limit access to care worldwide. We provide resources and guidance that makes it easier to live and thrive with T1D. This is more than a moment -- we're empowering a movement for the T1D community. Share your support and help educate and empower individuals facing type 1 diabetes.

Our mission is to improve lives today and tomorrow by accelerating life changing breakthroughs to treat, prevent and ultimately, cure T1D and its complications. Always, we are guided by a single purpose: As we drive towards curing type 1 diabetes, we help make everyday life better for the people who face it.

Broad Function And Scope Of The Position

Represent the Foundation’s interests before federal government officials and staff. Lead BreakthroughT1D’s legislative staff team in Washington, D.C. Participate in the development of the department’s legislative priorities, set strategies in conjunction with departmental leadership, and ensure effective implementation. Manage a defined set of federal public policy and funding issues as they relate to health care, type 1 diabetes (T1D) research and its complications, and other issues that would benefit the organization and T1D community.

Specific Responsibilities

• Support and maintain the vision, mission, priorities, and guiding principles of BreakthroughT1D. Formulate, implement, and lead the strategic direction and purpose of the legislative team.
• Direct and manage the legislative staff to ensure department’s objectives are advanced and individual goals are achieved. Participate in staffing decisions and evaluate performance of legislative staff. Communicate and set expectations clearly and appropriately. Provide ongoing growth and development by motivating, developing, and directing staff including two direct reports: Senior Manager, Government Relations and Manager, Government Relations.
• Develop, plan, schedule, prioritize, delegate, and monitor all activities, events and procedures related to the legislative team. Develop timelines and ensure that tasks are completed on time, well and within budget.
• Expand, develop, and implement legislative goals and objectives. Coordinate national legislative activities and engage other departments/chapters and consultants to advance the department’s objectives.
• Lead and/or participate in meetings. Discuss objectives and strategies of the Foundation and/or departmental activities and procedures. Develop and deliver presentations and provide guidance to staff and volunteer leaders on legislative priorities
• Collaborate closely with Senior Director of Grassroots Advocacy and other BreakthroughT1D staff to maximize volunteer engagement necessary to advance department’s objectives.
• Develop, maintain, and utilize relationships with Members of Congress, congressional staff, federal agency staff, other patient and health advocacy groups, and other stakeholders to advance legislative goals.
• Develop and manage all legislative aspects of BreakthroughT1D events, such as educational briefings and fly-ins, focused on Congress and the Administration.
• Draft testimony, report language, questions for the record, responses to congressional inquiries, and other materials. Provide guidance to legislative staff with these responsibilities.
• Work in partnership with House and Senate Diabetes Caucuses to build support for legislative priorities.
• Ensure team’s compliance with lobbying rules and disclosure requirements. Assist in the preparation of lobbying filings.
• Ensure that the confidentiality and security of all information under his/her supervision is maintained.
• Perform other duties as assigned by his/her immediate supervisor.
  
  

Experience & Requirements

• Minimum 10 years of Capitol Hill or government relations experience. Advocacy organization experience a plus.
• Experience mentoring staff and supervising staff and consultants.
• Proven track record building/leading coalitions and working effectively with advocacy organizations, volunteers, and other stakeholders.
• In depth knowledge and understanding of U.S. legislative and federal budget processes.
• Understanding of various computer systems and databases. Proficient in Microsoft Office.
• Exceptional management, training, leadership, presentation, and team-building skills.
• Effectively multi-task, establish priorities, and work in a fast-paced environment. Highly efficient in time management and can meet deadlines under pressure while ensuring high quality work.
• Detail-oriented and strong organizational skills. Demonstrate competency when handling diversified assignments.
• Team player who can interface with all levels of staff, volunteers, and corporate and community leaders. Must develop, maintain, and utilize relationships. Capability to leverage relationships and negotiate agreements.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Superior active listening, observation, analytical, and problem recognition and solving skills.
• Ability to work and make judgments independently and take initiative. Well-disciplined and a self-starter that is extremely resourceful.
• High capacity to assess the value, importance, and/or quality of activities and people.
• Availability for occasional travel.
  
  

Education

College degree, graduate degree preferred.

Essential Functions

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to use hands or fingers, handle or feel objects, tools, or controls. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; reach with hands and arms.

Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

This is a hybrid role, with a minimum of two days a week in the Washington, DC office.

Target Salary Range is $155,000 - $175,000

Essential Functions

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to use hands or fingers, handle or feel objects, tools or controls. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, sit, reach with hands and arms, climb or balance, and stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl.

The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds, and infrequently up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, and the ability to adjust focus.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Additional Information

Requests for medical, religious, and other exemptions will be considered on an individual basis. Breakthrough T1D will comply with all federal, state, and local laws.

Breakthrough T1D supports a diverse and inclusive workforce.

Breakthrough T1D is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.