Assistant Director, Political Outreach
Founded in 1906, AJC seeks to enhance the well-being of the Jewish people and Israel, and to advance human rights and democratic values in the United States and around the world. Among Jewish advocacy organizations, AJC is the leader in the global arena. We are known for our unparalleled access to diplomats, government officials, and faith leaders in more than 100 countries. In addition to our New York headquarters and Office of Government and International Affairs in Washington, D.C., AJC has offices across the United States and around the globe, and maintains partnerships with Jewish communities worldwide.
The Assistant Director, Political Outreach, works to advance organizational priorities in the congressional and political arenas. The Assistant Director reports to and provides support to the Director of Political Outreach. The individual does this while adhering to AJC's core values: Respect, Teamwork, Integrity, Excellence, and Accountability.
Specific Responsibilities:
- Represent AJC on Capitol Hill – alone and with staff and lay partners – to build relationships and advance AJC’s advocacy efforts;
- Initiate and draft legislation for contacts on Capitol Hill;
- Monitor developments related to AJC’s policy priorities, particularly as they relate to relevant legislation;
- Compose and send correspondence to Capitol Hill on AJC policy priorities;
- Serve as a point person for the congressional caucuses important to AJC, ensuring regular in-person and written communication between AJC and caucus partners, and increasing the number of AJC events and briefings on Capitol Hill;
- Manage the tracking of AJC congressional advocacy efforts, including records of congressional meetings, advocacy successes, and impact;
- Coordinate regularly with the Department of Regional Offices (including Regional Directors, Assistant Directors and ACCESS), encouraging congressional advocacy and broader political engagement, ensuring clear lines of communication, providing assistance for regional office programs and meetings, planning fly-ins to Washington, D.C. and virtual (phone/skype) briefings as well as overseeing the development of background information in advance of advocacy meetings;
- Lead logistics and planning for AJC events and programs on Capitol Hill, including fly-ins, and programs on the sidelines of the Republican and Democratic National Convention;
- Manage the face-to-face advocacy meetings for Global Forum including logistics, background materials, and training;
- Supervise interns and fellows in the Office of Political Outreach; and
- Work with the Director to outline strategic goals and objectives to advance the influence of AJC on Capitol Hill and showcase the Office’s impact within and outside of the organization.
Personal Qualifications and Core Competencies:
- Bachelor's degree (political science, international relations or related field preferred, master's degree preferred) plus 3-4 years relevant work experience, including work in politics, lobbying and/or on Capitol Hill;
- Nuanced understanding of the U.S. political system and familiarity with the functions of Congress and the legislative process;
- Strong networking skills and the ability to gain access to key political figures;
- Ability to multi-task, work independently under pressure, and meet deadlines;
- Ability to think creatively about methods and mechanisms to advance AJC’s congressional advocacy;
- Excellent written and oral communications skills, preferably with experience in both internal communications and advocacy;
- Experience in meeting coordination, event and conference planning;
- Experience managing multiple full-time interns or staff (including hiring process); and
- Significant education, understanding and fluency related to the policy priorities and issues of importance to AJC.
AJC is an Equal Opportunity Employer