Associate Director for Policy and Research

The Opportunity

The Social Finance Institute is seeking an Associate Director of Policy to help advance a growing portfolio of policy research, analysis, and engagement. Working closely with the Head of Policy and other Institute team members, the Associate Director will support projects that translate research and practice into actionable insights for policymakers and other influential audiences.

The ideal candidate brings a strong understanding of the federal policymaking process, excellent writing and analytical skills, and experience engaging policymakers and diverse external stakeholders. Congressional experience (legislative assistant, policy adviser, or committee staff) is highly valued, particularly in domestic policy areas related to finance, economic development, workforce development, government effectiveness, or philanthropy.

This is an opportunity for a thoughtful and entrepreneurial policy professional to help shape a growing policy function and advance ideas with the potential to improve public systems and expand economic opportunity.

Responsibilities

Project Management

• Coordinate targeted applied research projects led by external researchers, policy experts, and partner organizations

• Develop project plans, timelines, research questions, and deliverables; coordinate contributors; keep projects on schedule and to high standards of quality

• Support the Institute’s research portfolio by identifying emerging questions, potential research partners, and opportunities to connect research with policy and practice

• Synthesize findings from academic research, program experience, stakeholder interviews, and policy analysis into actionable recommendations

Policy Research and Analysis

• Monitor and analyze federal and state legislative, regulatory, and policy developments relevant to Social Finance’s work, including impact investing and outcomes-based funding for economic mobility in workforce development, housing, and public safety net programs

• Contribute to policy research, landscape analyses, and other projects that inform the Institute’s research and policy agenda

• Assess the implications of emerging policy developments for Social Finance’s programs, partners, and broader fields of work

• Translate complex research, legislation, and policy developments into clear, practical insights for policymakers, practitioners, funders, and other audiences

• Research and draft policy briefs, issue papers, blog posts, presentations, memos, talking points, public comments, and other educational materials

• Work with the Head of Policy and Institute colleagues to develop evidence-informed policy recommendations and communicate them to federal and state audiences

• Collaborate with communications colleagues to disseminate Institute research and elevate Social Finance’s expertise in policy conversations

• Ensure the Institute’s written products are accessible, nonpartisan, and tailored to their intended audiences

Policymaker and Stakeholder Engagement

• Build and maintain relationships with congressional and executive branch staff, state policymakers, researchers, advocates, practitioners, funders, and other stakeholders

• Represent the Social Finance Institute in coalition meetings, policy briefings, conferences, and other external forums

• Identify and help organize opportunities to showcase Social Finance’s work with policymakers, including briefings, roundtables, convenings, testimony, and educational activities

• Convene and facilitate conversations among policymakers, researchers, practitioners, and other stakeholders to advance shared policy objectives

• Work effectively across political and ideological perspectives while maintaining Social Finance’s nonpartisan approach

Organizational Contributions

• Connect policy and research activities with Social Finance’s programmatic experience and institutional priorities

• Contribute to proposals, funder reports, work plans, and other materials supporting the Institute’s growth and sustainability

• Support additional Institute priorities and special projects as needed

Qualifications

Candidates should have:

• A bachelor’s degree and at least five years of relevant professional experience in public policy, government, applied research, advocacy, or a related field

• Experience working in or closely with the federal legislative or policymaking process. Prior congressional, committee, or federal policy service is strongly preferred.

• Familiarity with one or more domestic policy areas related to Social Finance’s work, such as finance, economic development, workforce development, government effectiveness, or philanthropy

• Experience conducting research or policy analysis and translating findings into practical recommendations

• Demonstrated experience working with policymakers, constituents, coalitions, external partners, or other diverse stakeholders

• Exceptional writing and editing skills, including the ability to communicate complex information clearly to policymaking and nontechnical audiences

• Strong analytical and critical-thinking skills, intellectual curiosity, and sound judgment

• A nuanced understanding of the political and policy environment and the ability to operate effectively in a nonpartisan organization

• Demonstrated ability to manage complex projects, competing priorities, and multiple deadlines, with a high degree of organization and attention to detail

• Ability to work independently, take initiative, set priorities, and solve problems while collaborating effectively with colleagues

• Strong interpersonal and verbal communication skills, including comfort engaging senior policymakers and organizational leaders

Preferred Qualifications

The strongest candidates may also bring:

• Experience developing policy proposals, legislative materials, regulatory comments, or other products for government audiences

• Experience managing external research partnerships or multi-organization projects

• Established relationships with federal policymakers, state policy leaders, researchers, or organizations in relevant fields

• Familiarity with outcomes-based approaches, innovative financing, evidence-based policymaking, or public-sector performance and delivery

• A graduate degree in public policy, public administration, law, economics, finance, or a related field (welcomed, not required)

Benefits

At Social Finance, we strive to deliver a benefits program that will enhance our overall value proposition to employees. Our current benefit offerings include:

• Comprehensive health care coverage: medical, dental and vision insurance; flexible spending accounts; access to Blue Cross Blue Shield Wellness Program “AHealthyMe Rewards” and more

• Retirement savings plan with employer contribution

• Short-term, long-term and life insurance policies

• Commuter benefits and cell phone reimbursements

• Hybrid work model (in office a minimum of two days per week and on an ad-hoc basis as needed)

• Dedicated budgets for team building and employee recognition

• Annual budget for external professional development opportunities

• Mentorship and onboarding programs

• Collaborative and energizing workspaces in downtown Boston, MA; San Francisco, CA; Austin, TX; Washington, D.C. and New York, NY. Note: this position will be based in Washington, D.C.

• Paid vacation and paid holidays (with 12/24-1/1 off every year)

• Paid parental leave

• A truly stellar team of high performing, values-driven and fun (!) professionals

Salary

Social Finance uses a lockstep compensation model for equity and transparency. For this position, at the Director level, the starting base salary is $122,000. During the interview process, we will take into account a candidate’s full work experience and may adjust the job title and starting salary as appropriate. Employees at this level typically receive a $2,500 annual salary increase and are eligible for the firmwide annual bonus program (typically 5–10%, not guaranteed, and dependent on organizational and individual performance).