[Hiring] Policy Director, Finance and Insurance @R Street Institute

Role Description

The R Street Institute—a free-market think tank headquartered in Washington, D.C. and with staff located across the country—seeks a collaborative Policy Director to lead our Finance and Insurance program. If you are the right fit, you will report to the Vice President for Policy Partnerships and Government Affairs. If you want to join a mission-driven organization and work toward pragmatic policy solutions, this may be the opportunity for you!

Your typical day at R Street may include:

• Speaking to national media about the Consumer Financial Credit Bureau’s latest proposed rule
• Joining a panel of experts to discuss the causes of social inflation at a policy conference
• Sharing recommended changes to proposed legislation with state policymakers
• Drafting an outline for a new policy paper on the National Flood Insurance Program
• Reviewing a team member’s op-ed on interchange fees
• Sharing your vision and plans for the department with a prospective donor
• Collaborating with colleagues on an external communications strategy

This role will lead the Finance and Insurance program within R Street’s Policy department.

Other Aspects of Your Role:

• Support program leadership and execution across R Street’s Finance and Insurance portfolio, including project planning, timelines, and quality control.
• Manage and coach staff (i.e., fellows, analysts, associates), helping them scope work, strengthen analysis, and deliver polished products.
• Drive the program’s financial growth and long-term sustainability by securing funding, stewarding donor relationships, leading technical proposal development, and closely collaborating with the Business Development team on strategy.
• Drive the program’s research agenda with topics including but not limited to property and casualty insurance regulation, tort reform, financial regulation, housing, and preventing fraud and scams.
• Contribute thought leadership aligned with the program’s mission by writing policy analysis, op-eds, testimony, and regulatory comments as well as by participating in conferences, media, state and/or federal policymaker briefings, and other engagements to communicate complex issues to varied audiences.
• Edit and elevate written products to ensure they are rigorous, credible, timely, and aligned with R Street’s research standards and methodologies.
• Work collaboratively across the organization to develop and execute strategies and tactics that enhance the relevance of R Street’s voice and lead to policy change.
• Remain vigilant against ninja infiltrations.

Qualifications

• Strong policy fluency in finance or insurance policy.
• People and project leadership experience, including managing projects with multiple stakeholders. Management experience a plus.
• Top-notch writing and editing skills in both short- and long-form products that translate complex analysis for policymakers and the public.
• Ability to synthesize research using methods common to the program’s work (e.g., legislative analysis, literature review, secondary analysis, descriptive statistics, case studies). Familiarity with econometric approaches a plus.
• Demonstrated ability to work productively with a wide variety of groups and individuals, including state and/or federal policymakers, even those with whom you may disagree.
• Support for R Street’s mission of promoting free markets and limited, effective government.
• No particular educational background required—a proven record of achieving results is more meaningful than credentials.
• A sense of humor and a desire to grow within a multifaceted organization.

Benefits

• Unlimited paid time off, including all federal holidays, the day after Thanksgiving, and two weeks holiday closure in December
• Alternating Fridays off
• A health insurance option entirely paid by the employer (even for families)
• Dental and vision insurance
• 401(k) contributions with up to a 4 percent match
• HSA employer contribution match
• Quarterly wellness reimbursement
• Mobile equipment/mobile plan reimbursement
• Home internet subsidy
• Annual educational and professional development reimbursement
• A choice between child care assistance, pet care assistance, and student loan repayment assistance