Director of Policy

Create a better future of food by inspiring and growing our policy team

The Good Food Institute is a nonprofit think tank working to make the global food system better for the planet, people, and animals. Alongside scientists, businesses, and policymakers, GFI’s teams focus on making plant-based and cultivated meat delicious, affordable, and accessible. Powered by philanthropy, GFI is an international network of organizations advancing alternative proteins as an essential solution needed to meet the world’s climate, global health, food security, and biodiversity goals.

In this role, you will have the opportunity to help GFI’s team of lobbyists, lawyers, and policy specialists achieve even greater success. Working with the Vice President of Policy in our Washington D.C. office, you will help set the strategy and ensure the effective operation of GFI’s Policy Department. The Director of Policy will be responsible for:

• Directly managing a small team and helping the VP of Policy effectively hire, train, and develop team members across the department.
• Assisting the VP of Policy with project planning every four months and strategic planning and budgeting annually.
• Working with the VP of Policy and Senior Associate Director of International Engagement to improve coordination and collaboration among GFI’s policy teams in the United States, Brazil, Europe, Israel, and Asia.
• Proposing workflow improvements to make the Policy Team more effective.
• Honing GFI’s policy initiatives to advance our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Cultivating a positive and collaborative team environment and helping to motivate the team.
• Working with the team to ensure compliance with lobbying reporting requirements and other recordkeeping systems.
• Building strong internal relationships to ensure consistent, accurate information exchange between the Policy team and other GFI departments, as well as our international affiliates.
• Performing other duties as assigned.

The Director of Policy must have:

• At least ten years of experience in a nonprofit organization, government agency, legislative office, or equivalent, or at least seven years and a J.D. from an accredited law school.
• At least three years of experience managing team members working on policy initiatives.
• Expertise in influencing legislation or regulation at the state or federal level, or setting international policy through engaging multilateral organizations.
• Exceptionally strong written and verbal communication skills.
• The ability to thrive in a dynamic environment—comfort pivoting to meet opportunities while advancing strategic priorities.
• Excellent project management skills.
• The ability to mentor and inspire team members and provide stability through periods of team expansion.
• The ability to problem-solve under pressure and adapt to rapidly evolving organizational growth opportunities.
• Strong support for GFI’s philosophy and mission; demonstrated interest in plant based & other alt proteins, public health, environmentalism, climate change, animal protection, or hunger relief.
• A commitment to GFI’s values: believe change is possible, do the most good we can, share knowledge freely, act on evidence, and invite everyone to the table.
• A desire to work in-person at our Washington D.C. office three or four days a week. (Applicants outside of the area should indicate their willingness to relocate in their cover letter.)

The ideal candidate would also have:

• Expertise in U.S. policy relevant to science and technology, global health, agriculture,renewable energy,  climate, or food.
• Proficiency with best practices for impact assessment.
• Understanding of the legal requirements for nonprofit organizations that engage in lobbying.
• Experience working for a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with an affiliated (c)(4) lobbying organization.
• International outlook and experience, as demonstrated by experience working for a multilateral organization, having lived in a country outside of the United States, or fluency in languages other than English.
• The ability to contribute to the diversity of ideas and backgrounds on the Policy Team.

We want the best people and we don’t want biases holding us back. We strongly encourage people of every race, color, orientation, age, gender, origin, and ability to apply. Because we value a diverse workplace, we prioritize an inclusive climate absent of discrimination and harassment during the application process and after you join the team.

Research indicates that men tend to apply for jobs when they meet just 60% of the criteria, while women and people from other marginalized groups only apply if they are a 100% match. If you are passionate about GFI’s mission and think you have what it takes to be successful in this role even if you don’t check all the boxes, please apply. We’d appreciate the opportunity to consider your application.

• Terms of employment: Full-time, exempt
• Reports to: Jessica Almy, Vice President of Policy
• Location: Farragut Square, Washington, D.C.
• Relocation Benefit: A relocation stipend of up to $5,000 will be paid to cover the costs of relocation from outside of the Washington, D.C. area.
• Travel: Up to two weeks per year for GFI retreats.
• Benefits: Flexible hours, full medical coverage, optional dental and vision packages, a 401(k) plan with employer match, flexible holiday and vacation plans, opportunity for advancement, respectful managers, and supportive colleagues.
• This is a U.S.-based position: In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.
• COVID vaccination policy: GFI requires all US employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 (two shots for Moderna/Pfizer; one shot for J&J). Proof of vaccination will be requested before the start of employment. GFI will consider requests for accommodations or exemptions from this policy on a case by case basis, in accordance with applicable laws.
• Salary: $130,952-$137,500  (depending on experience and qualifications)

Application Deadline: Rolling

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Interested in working at the Good Food Institute? Join us for the Career Opportunities Webinar to learn more about our work and ask questions about specific job opportunities! See upcoming webinar dates and more information here.