CI
Full-time · Hybrid

Director of Government Affairs (Constitution & Law)

This is a high-impact leadership role for a strategic communicator who can navigate the intersection of constitutional law and modern technology policy. The position is unique for its focus on building bridges with progressive policymakers to advance libertarian principles on civil liberties and justice reform. It offers a rare opportunity to shape federal policy from a principled, nonpartisan foundation.

Cato Institute · Washington, District of Columbia, United States · Posted 22 April 2026

The role

Overview

This is a high-impact leadership role for a strategic communicator who can navigate the intersection of constitutional law and modern technology policy. The position is unique for its focus on building bridges with progressive policymakers to advance libertarian principles on civil liberties and justice reform. It offers a rare opportunity to shape federal policy from a principled, nonpartisan foundation.

What they need

Requirements & Skills

Key Responsibilities

  • Cultivate and sustain strategic partnerships with Capitol Hill and Executive Branch officials
  • Secure high-impact opportunities for scholars, including congressional testimony and formal statements
  • Advise internal research teams on political dynamics and emerging legislative trends
  • Design and lead outreach strategies for portfolios including criminal justice, education, and technology
  • Manage the targeted distribution of research products to key government stakeholders

Essential

  • Proven experience working with federal or state-level policymakers
  • Established network within progressive-leaning policy circles or think tanks
  • Ability to work from the Washington, DC office in a hybrid capacity
  • Strong alignment with the principles of individual liberty and limited government
  • Experience navigating the legislative process on Capitol Hill

Preferred

  • Existing relationships with House and Senate Judiciary and Commerce Committees
  • Background in legal or technology policy advocacy
  • Experience in a nonpartisan or libertarian-leaning research environment

Key Skills

Strategic engagement planningLegislative tracking and analysisRelationship managementPublic speaking and scholar coachingPolicy translation and communicationInter-departmental coordinationExecutive branch advocacy

Networking

People to Know

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Perks

Benefits & perks

  • Competitive salary based on experience
  • Hybrid work flexibility
  • Opportunity to work with world-renowned policy scholars
  • Professional development in a high-impact think tank environment
  • Equal Opportunity Employer commitment

Next step

Apply now

Found via pac.org

Director of Government Affairs (Constitution & Law) at Cato Institute - Washington, District of Columbia, United States | Career Steer