Position: Director of Government Affairs
Supervisor: Vice President for Communications
Updated: April 15, 2026
Status: Full-time Exempt
Location: Washington, DC (Hybrid)
Salary: $115,000 – $140,000
About PIIE
The Peterson Institute for International Economics is an independent nonprofit, nonpartisan research organization dedicated to strengthening prosperity and human welfare in the global economy through expert analysis and practical policy solutions. Areas of research include trade, macroeconomic policy, US-China relations, and global institutions including the World Trade Organization and International Monetary Fund. The Institute's award-winning work is cited regularly in major news outlets. Join a collaborative and growing communications team that takes pride in producing news-driven, fact-based, and engaging content for international policymakers, journalists, business leaders, educators, students, and the general public.
Position Summary
The Institute seeks a government affairs expert for a newly created position to lead and expand the organization's engagement with policymakers, primarily members of the US Congress, and to improve their understanding of PIIE research areas and analysis of economic policy. The Director of Government Affairs will work with senior PIIE leadership to develop strategies for reaching key government stakeholders to share expert insights, foster relationships, facilitate PIIE scholar engagement, and work with colleagues to track and measure impact. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in legislative affairs, Capitol Hill experience, and understanding of legislative processes. The position will serve as the Institute's trusted liaison with government stakeholders and work to build PIIE's reputation as a sought-after source for objective analysis.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Identify key stakeholders in policy areas related to PIIE research and collaborate with PIIE senior leadership to develop strategies for outreach, including through briefings, testimony, events, and personal outreach.
- Build and maintain relationships with public policy contacts to improve visibility and reputation of the organization and its research.
- Track legislative schedules and other relevant events to inform outreach strategies.
- Coordinate congressional outreach across the organization and help senior researchers field congressional invitations and requests.
- Work with PIIE scholars to learn about their research and advise them on best practices for communicating with policymakers, including how to tailor messaging and how to conduct outreach.
- Stay up-to-date on PIIE research and relevant policy developments, news, and public discussions to inform decisions.
- Work with PIIE senior leadership to determine goals and appropriate measurements of success for policymaker engagement and work with teams to track progress.
- Work with PIIE scholars and communications team to advise on content and formats that are effectively designed for policymaker engagement.
- Work with PIIE meetings team to help organize events geared for policymakers or featuring them as participants.
- Support PIIE scholars in testimony development and on-site at testimony, briefings, meetings, etc.
- Contribute to reports to internal PIIE stakeholders and leadership on progress.
- The Institute's employees, including the person in this role, are prohibited from conducting any lobbying activities.
Qualifications
- A bachelor's degree or experience in political science, foreign affairs, public policy, economics, communications, or a related field is preferred.
- At least 5-10 years of experience in government/legislative affairs, public policy, or communications, with experience on Capitol Hill required.
- Proven experience in engaging with policymakers, with a comprehensive understanding of congressional rules, procedures, and operations. Additional experience at federal, state or international levels is a plus.
- Professional relationships with federal policymakers and relevant networks.
- Excellent writing and editing skills with the ability to distill complex messages into clear, accurate, and concise language adapted to different platforms and audiences.
- Ability to work independently to set goals and priorities.
- Experience with Leadership Connect is a plus.
- Strong interpersonal and collaborative skills, including with scholarly experts.
- Ease with multitasking in a busy, news-driven environment, plus abilities to effectively manage time, adapt to changing priorities, and meet deadlines.
- Project management skills.
- Commitment to nonpartisanship and scholar independence.
- Strong knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite.
Benefits
PIIE offers a highly competitive benefits package that includes:
- Work-life balance with reasonable work hours and flexibility.
- Generous paid time off, including federal holidays, vacation and sick leave.
- Medical (including prescription), dental, and vision insurance.
- Generous retirement benefits. After one year of employment, PIIE contributes 10 percent of the employee's salary each month to a retirement account, which is 50% vested after two years and fully vested after three years. Option to also participate in a 403(b) plan.
- Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts.
- Employer-paid life and short- and long-term disability insurance.
- Educational assistance for undergraduate and graduate degree programs.
- Employer-paid pretax public transportation subsidy.
- Employee Assistance Program that provides free, confidential services for personal and professional support.
- Access to wellness resources.
Application Instructions
Send resume and cover letter to [email protected] with "Director of Government Affairs" in the subject line.
The Peterson Institute for International Economics is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer.
No telephone calls please.