Alliance for Automotive Innovation

Compensation

Full Description

Position: Director or Senior Director, Federal Affairs Supervisor: VP, Federal Affairs Department: Federal Affairs Status: Full-time FLSA: Exempt Location: Washington, DC The Alliance for Automotive Innovation is seeking a Director or Senior Director of Federal Affairs to help lead the association’s advocacy at a pivotal moment for the U.S. auto industry. This is a senior, outward-facing role for a strategic thinker and doer who thrives in complex political environments and wants real ownership. This position is ideal for someone who has experience co-creating advocacy strategy with senior leadership, plays offense when the politics allow, and brings equal rigor to serving Capitol Hill and member companies. The successful candidate will be a trusted presence with congressional staff, a credible partner to member companies, and a forward-leaning leader within the organization. Essential Duties and Responsibilities: Key Responsibilities • Help develop and execute federal advocacy strategy in partnership with the Vice President of Federal Affairs, with a focus on safety, and emerging auto policy issues. • Serve as a primary point of contact for Members of Congress, committee staff, and Administration officials, building trusted, durable relationships across parties and chambers. • Actively manage and advance legislative priorities, including bill strategy, amendment development, coalition coordination, and tactical Hill engagement. • Represent the Association with credibility and confidence in meetings, briefings, and negotiations with congressional offices and external stakeholders. • Serve member companies with equal rigor, translating legislative and political developments into clear guidance and ensuring alignment across a diverse membership. • Prepare and oversee testimony, correspondence, briefings, and strategic written materials for Congress and the Administration. • Coordinate closely with internal policy, legal, communications, and external affairs teams to ensure cohesive and effective advocacy. • Take initiative to identify opportunities, anticipate challenges, and move work forward with a bias toward action. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities • Strong track record of translating strategic thinking into actionable plans • Demonstrated credibility and trust with congressional staff and policymakers. • Collaborative mindset and ability to work effectively in a team environment. • Strong strategic instincts paired with the ability to execute tactically. • Comfort operating in politically complex, high-stakes environments. • Forward-leaning, proactive, and solutions-oriented, with a clear bias toward action. • Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to engage senior executives and board-level audiences. • Collaborative by nature, with the confidence to lead and the humility to listen. Qualifications: Required • Bachelor’s degree required. • Minimum of 7-10 years of experience on Capitol Hill, in the Executive Branch, or in a federal affairs role at a trade association or corporation. Senior-level experience preferred for Senior Director consideration. • Strong working knowledge of House and Senate legislative processes, including committee work, floor procedures, and federal rulemaking. • Demonstrated interest in, or exposure to, automotive, transportation, safety, technology, or adjacent policy issues strongly preferred. • Commitment to the mission of the Alliance for Automotive Innovation and the ability to represent a unified industry voice. To provide greater transparency to candidates, we share base pay ranges for all US-based job postings regardless of state. We set standard base pay ranges for all roles based on function, level, and country location, benchmarked against similar-stage growth companies. The anticipated salary range for this position at Director level is $145,000 to $175,000. The anticipated salary range for this position at Senior Director level is $200,000 to $230,000. Final offer amounts are determined by multiple factors, including candidate location, skills, depth of work experience, and relevant licenses/credentials, and may vary from the range listed. This role may also be eligible for bonus, equity, medical benefits, 401(k) plan, and other company perk programs. At Alliance for Automotive Innovation, we are committed to hiring diverse talent of different backgrounds and as such, it is important to us to provide an inclusive work environment for all. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, gender identity, age, religion, sexual orientation, veteran or disability status, or any other protected class. As an equal opportunity employer, we encourage and welcome people of all backgrounds to apply. Apply: hr@autosinnovate.org