Director, Federal Policy

## Job Description

### Who We Are
The Center for Responsible Lending (CRL) is a nonprofit, non‑partisan organization working to ensure a fair, inclusive financial marketplace that creates opportunities for all. Through research, legal analysis, policy development, and state and national advocacy engagement, CRL fights for economic equity for underserved communities—particularly Black and brown communities and low‑to‑middle income families. CRL’s staff, allies, and funders reflect a collective commitment to eliminating systemic injustice in America’s financial services.

CRL provides a strong voice on both the state and national levels for these families to expand family wealth and financial stability through sustainable homeownership, affordable higher education, and support for small businesses. CRL also works to protect financial stability by preventing abusive products that trap families in debt and strip away their income—ending payday lending and other predatory high‑cost lending, exorbitant bank fees, and abusive debt collection practices. CRL is an affiliate of Self‑Help, a community development lender founded in 1980.

We are seeking a Director of Federal Policy for our Washington, DC team.

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## Position Summary
The Director of Federal Policy directs and coordinates CRL federal legislative and regulatory policy activities in coordination with CRL senior leadership to advance CRL policy goals. This highly collaborative role is deeply involved in developing and coordinating strategy with several teams within CRL and requires frequent communication as federal developments occur.

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## What You’ll Do

### Outreach
– Represent CRL at external functions, such as receptions and conferences (including events beyond typical office hours).
– Work in coordination with other organizations and coalitions involved in CRL issues.
– Build relationships with coalition partners and industry partners; attend coalition meetings and/or identify appropriate staff to attend.
– Serve as a spokesperson on a variety of topics in the media and on Capitol Hill.

### Staff Management
– Supervise federal policy staff; set individual goals and provide routine feedback and evaluation.
– Conduct annual performance appraisals and administer salary adjustments.
– Develop and implement professional development plans with team members.
– Model inclusive behavior, build cultural humility, and support staff interested in deepening their DE&I knowledge.
– Provide strategic leadership and insight into federal opportunities and threats; help prioritize workplans.
– Provide feedback on issue plans, revisions, and implementation; assist with monitoring plans and identifying resource or scheduling conflicts.
– Ensure appropriate levels of coverage for workgroup issues; assign issues to team members and coordinate with leadership to ensure global coverage or identify resource needs.

### Federal Policy Development
– Lead CRL’s strategy to advance legislative and regulatory agendas at the federal level.
– Monitor and analyze proposed federal legislation and regulations to support CRL’s policy positions and prevent unfair lending practices.
– Lead technical assistance in drafting federal legislation or regulatory proposals.
– Oversee Capitol Hill and federal regulatory activities in coordination with issue team leaders and other functional leaders.
– Review and advise on coalition sign‑on letters.
– Convene regular meetings of federal policy team members to update, coordinate, and prioritize Hill and regulatory activities.
– Participate with senior leadership in broad strategy discussions, focusing on how federal policy fits into overall CRL strategy and resource availability.
– Track federal policy team activities and report on them for board and funder reports, internal communication, and evaluation of current initiatives.
– Participate in or lead issue workgroups and craft policy approaches, including research and writing on legal issues, major policy reports, comment letters, regulatory proposals, testimony, speeches, or articles.
– Support CRL litigation work, including amicus briefs, and maintain relationships with outside partners on litigation matters.

### Other Responsibilities
– Ensure compliance with Congressional and IRS lobbying reporting, working with accounting and policy counsel to include proper costs and complete lists of bills and issues.
– Advance CRL and Self‑Help’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion goals in internal and external work, including supplier diversity.
– Perform other duties as assigned.

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## What You’ll Need
– Bachelor’s degree or comparable equivalent experience.
– A juris doctorate (JD) and/or a master’s degree in Public Policy or related fields, and/or experience with consumer financial laws is a plus but not required.
– 8+ years of increasingly senior experience, ideally in a similar position with demonstrated ability to plan, organize, and direct a comprehensive, innovative, and strategic policy program.
– Experience in civil rights, housing/mortgage lending, predatory lending, consumer law, or banking law desired but not required.
– Experience building relationships with external partners and cultivating collaboration desired but not required.
– Demonstrated commitment to public interest law, families of modest means, communities of color, and racial justice analysis, including understanding how federal/state/local policies contributed to racial wealth disparities.
– Passion for CRL’s mission and commitment to social justice work.

**Compensation Range:** $117,000–$153,738 (DC CAP)

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## Equal Opportunity Statement
Self‑Help is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

### Company Disclaimer
Self‑Help is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all persons, regardless of race, religion, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression (including transgender status), age, sexual orientation, military and veteran status, class, or family status.

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