Associate Director/Director of Retirement and Financial Security

Associate Director/Director for BPC's Economic Policy Program

Founded in 2007, the Bipartisan Policy Center and its advocacy affiliate, BPC Action, are unique in their approach to solving the nation's most pressing issues. As the only organization working across the full political spectrum on domestic issues, BPC brings together diverse perspectives to craft solutions that lower the everyday cost of living for families, expand opportunities, and strengthen the American economy. BPC Action works directly with legislators and other policymakers to turn those solutions into impactful results.

What sets us apart is our ability to operate at the intersection of policy development and political advocacy, building consensus across the aisle to advance reforms in Congress. For more than 20 years, BPC and BPC Action have consistently achieved results on complex issues, demonstrating that working together with both parties is not only possible but essential to achieve results.

We are trusted leaders in cutting through the division and creating common ground to solve the problems Americans care about most. We are an indispensable force to produce results in Washington and beyond.

BPC's Economic Policy Program is seeking an Associate Director/Director to lead its retirement and financial security policy work at a pivotal moment. With Social Security's primary trust fund projected to be depleted by 2032a reckoning that the 2026 Senate class will face squarely within its termBPC's retirement portfolio sits at the center of the most consequential domestic policy debate of the decade. There is also meaningful legislative action anticipated in the coming years on retirement savings. The ideal candidate will combine rigorous policy expertise with the credibility and relationships to drive bipartisan progress on Social Security solvency, the private-sector retirement savings system, and other financial security issues.

This position reports to BPC's Vice President of Economic Policy.

Responsibilities:

• Provide leadership and strategic direction for BPC's retirement and financial security research portfolio. Advise senior leadership and lead collaboration with internal stakeholders to align long-term goals
• Brief Members of Congress and executive branch officials on Social Security solvency and on the private U.S. retirement system. Cultivate relationships with congressional staff and senior administration officials
• Provide technical expertise on legislation and other proposals
• Produce analytical research spanning Social Security, private-sector retirement savings, and other related topics. Synthesize and translate scholarly research into clear, accessible, and actionable content to inform federal policy development
• Represent BPC at external engagements on issues of expertise (with occasional travel outside the Beltway)
• Develop and manage major institutional partnerships. Collaborate with BPC's development team to devise fundraising strategy, helping secure project funding to ensure long-term programmatic sustainability. Oversee major research grants
• Collaborate across policy teams, especially with BPC's Health Program, on the overlap between health care costs and retirement security (including long-term care), and with BPC's Human Capital team on workplace benefits and supports
• Coach and mentor staff to foster personal growth and develop team's capacity for impactful research and analysis

Required Skills and Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in public policy, political science, government, economics, public administration, law, communications, or a related field
• 7-10+ years of relevant professional experience in public policy, government, advocacy, nonprofit organizations, consulting, think tanks, public affairs, legislative affairs, or related field
• Experience working on Social Security solvency and knowledge of major benefits programs such as SSI, SSDI, Medicare, and Medicaid. Experience working within SSA or DoL is a plus
• Knowledge of the private-sector retirement savings system including ERISA and the SECURE/SECURE 2.0 Act provisions and regulatory implementation
• Excellent writing and analytical skills, with the ability to produce clear, accessible materials for congressional and public audiences, including policy briefs, explainers, and media-facing content
• Ability to perform quantitative analysis, such as with data from the Social Security Administration or Congressional Budget Office
• Exceptional verbal communication skills and experience preparing materials for senior policymakers and executive audiences
• Experience facilitating consensus-building efforts among stakeholders with differing viewpoints and strong political acumen and ability to navigate complex policy and stakeholder environments
• Strong commitment to objective, evidence-informed analysis and bipartisan policymaking
• Ability to work independently, exercise sound judgment, and manage competing priorities effectively

Preferred Skills and Qualifications:

• Advanced degree in public policy, public administration, economics, law, political science, or a related field
• Experience working on Capitol Hill, within a federal agency, governor's office, state legislature, think tank, trade association, advocacy organization, or similar institution
• Experience elevating an organization's public profile and representing an organization through national media engagement, including securing regular press mentions in relevant media outlets, as well as representing the organization on policy panels and other public forums
• Expertise in various financial security issues, such as emergency savings
• Demonstrated ability to build an organization's reputation with Hill staff, executive branch officials, and national media as a credible voice on Social Security and retirement issues
• Familiarity with the Economic Policy Program's overall policy portfolio, including fiscal and tax policy
• Experience supporting fundraising, donor engagement, grant development, or external partnerships

Application Process:

Please submit a writing sample along with your resume and cover letter.

BPC offers a highly competitive salary and provides generous benefits.

Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States. BPC does not sponsor employment visas.

BPC is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace dedicated to pursuing and hiring a diverse workforce.

Work Schedule: The work/life balance of employees is a priority for the Bipartisan Policy Center. As a result, BPC is currently operating on a hybrid schedule. Employees at BPC are currently coming into the office three times a week. Exact time and schedules will be determined between an employee and their manager.

BPC offers comprehensive health insurance benefits with a choice of open access HMO, POS, or PPO plan. HMO and POS individual plans have a monthly premium cost share of 10%. Dependent and Family HMO and POS plans are offered with a monthly cost share equal to 20% of the difference between the plan premium and the individual HMO monthly premium. PPO plans are offered with a 20% premium cost-share for all plans.

Additional benefits include 403(b) matching contributions of up to 7% of salary in addition to a non-elective contribution of 2% of salary (both after 90 days of employment); 15 vacation days, 2 personal days, 15 sick days, and 12 holidays per year; education benefits up to $5,250 per year after one year of employment; $2,000 for professional development expenses after six months of employment; Metro benefits of up to $130 per month; Company provided life insurance; and dental and vision insurance coverage with a Flexible Spending Plan.

We reasonably believe that the base salary range for the Director position is $130,000 to $150,000, and that the base salary range for the Associate Director is $110,000 to $130,000. At BPC, a wide range of factors are considered when making compensation decisions including and not limited to skill set, experience, training, education, knowledge, and other business and organizational needs.