Job Description

An organization is seeking a Senior Director, Global Engagement & Government Affairs

Here’s a summary of responsibilities:

The Senior Director of Global Engagement & Government Affairs plays a leading role in representing the USOPC’s interests in the political and policy arenas across the United States. This role leads the organization’s domestic government relations efforts, driving strategy and engagement with federal, state, and local government stakeholders to advance the Olympic and Paralympic movements. The Senior Director serves as a key advisor to internal leaders on political strategy, ensures alignment with major event objectives (including LA28 and SLC 2034), and leads critical initiatives related to public policy, athlete advocacy, and regulatory matters. This position requires deep knowledge of U.S. political processes and exceptional leadership in cultivating relationships with lawmakers, agencies, and advocacy groups.

Here’s how you’ll have an impact:

Government & Political Affairs Leadership

• Develop and execute the USOPC’s domestic political engagement strategy, with a focus on building bipartisan support for the Olympic and Paralympic movements.
• Serve as the USOPC’s primary liaison to Congress, the White House, and federal agencies such as the State Department and Department of Homeland Security.
• Build relationships with state and local officials, especially in key host states (California and Utah), to support Games delivery and community integration.
• Advise the Vice President and senior leadership on federal and state policy developments affecting the USOPC, athletes, and sport ecosystem.
• Lead responses to legislative and regulatory proposals. Draft policy recommendations and talking points for external and internal use.

Advocacy & External Representation

• Represent the USOPC in meetings with elected officials, coalitions, and public forums to promote Olympic and Paralympic values and priorities.
• Lead efforts to educate policymakers on issues impacting Team USA, including funding, safe sport, athlete visas, anti-doping, and sport access.
• Support strategic partnerships with external advocacy organizations, think tanks, embassies, and other stakeholders aligned with USOPC interests.
• Collaborate with LA28, SLC 2034, and NGB partners to align advocacy messaging and amplify shared priorities.

Operational & Strategic Alignment

• Partner with Communications, Legal, and Athlete Services teams to ensure alignment on external messaging and issue advocacy.
• Prepare briefing materials, memos, and testimony for CEO, Board members, and other USOPC officials.
• Monitor political and regulatory risk that could impact the USOPC and Team USA. Recommend mitigation strategies as needed.
• Support the Vice President in developing strategic frameworks, scorecards, and success metrics to measure the impact of advocacy efforts.

Leadership & Team Management

• Manage a portfolio of external consultants, lobbyists, or legal counsel as appropriate.
• Lead and mentor staff and/or fellows assigned to government affairs initiatives.
• Promote a collaborative, nonpartisan culture and model USOPC values in all external engagements.
• Provide direct supervision to assigned team members, including hiring, mentoring, coaching, and motivating to maximize collective performance. Contribute to an atmosphere for outstanding teamwork through clear expectations, frequent communication, and providing fair and consistent feedback. Manage performance of team members effectively.

Here are the skills and experience you’ll need to be effective:

• Bachelor’s degree in Political Science, Public Affairs, Law, or related field or equivalent work experience
• Advanced degree (e.g., JD, MPP, MPA) preferred
• 10+ years’ experience in U.S. government relations, public policy, or political affairs, including direct legislative or agency experience
• Experience with nonprofit, sport, or international organizations preferred
• Demonstrated success influencing public policy and building coalitions
• Experience managing complex relationships with a focus on fostering collaboration among diverse stakeholders
• Demonstrated experience leading a team
• Deep understanding of U.S. legislative and regulatory processes
• Strong communicator with excellent writing, presentation, and interpersonal skills with stakeholders of all levels
• Politically savvy with a bipartisan, relationship-first mindset
• Ability to manage multiple priorities effectively and thrive in a fast-paced, evolving environment
• High integrity and discretion in handling sensitive political matters
• Strong executive presence, with the capability to represent the USOPC professionally and with poise and positivity in high-stakes environments
• Ability to navigate ambiguous or complex situations with a variety of partners
• Passion for sport and the ideals of the Olympic and Paralympic movements

Here are the tools, equipment, & conditions:

• Standard office equipment
• Significant travel required, especially to Washington, DC, and Olympic and Paralympic host cities
• Non-traditional work hours as needed, including evenings and/or weekends based on key events or Congressional schedules
• Regular attendance at work is an essential job function

Here’s where you’ll work:

• Remote – Washington, DC

Here’s some more information you need to know:

• Hiring Pay Range: $150,828 – $191,552 per year.
• This full-time, exempt position is intended to work 40 hours per week.
• Bonus: This position will be eligible for the Annual Incentive Award Program, which has a 20% target. The USOPC may change or eliminate this program at any time at its sole discretion.
• Benefits: This position will be eligible for USOPC benefits.

GatedTalent consolidates jobs from a variety of sources. Users of the “Talentis” and “FileFinder” executive search CRMs are able to publish jobs to the site with links from inside their core business apps. These are supplemented by jobs added by our own researchers and those provided by a third party job aggregation service. Please note that GatedTalent staff are not directly involved in the recruiting process.

Simulate This Job Interview Now!

Maximize your chance of success – upload your resume now and experience an AI simulation of this specific interview:

• Unlimited interview simulations for the duration of your paid membership
• Full simulation includes multiple questions, challenged and detailed written feedback on how you can improve
• This simulation is entirely confidential – no information is shared with the recruiter!

Job Tags

Similar Jobs