Legislative Director

Help create a sustainable, secure, and just food system by advancing alternative proteins in Congress

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 manage GFI’s federal legislative initiatives and team. You will remove hurdles and leverage resources to promote progress on alternative proteins. The Legislative Director will be based in GFI's Washington D.C. office, will enjoy a flexible schedule, and will be responsible for:

• Working with GFI’s Vice President of Policy to develop and implement GFI’s federal legislative agenda.
• Achieving core objectives, including securing significant public funding for open-access alternative protein research and fully launching the Good Food Legislative Fund, an affiliated (c)(4) lobbying organization. 
• Speaking clearly and persuasively on cultivated meat, plant-based meat, and other alternative proteins to members of Congress, their staff, and other audiences.
• Managing legislative team members and external contract lobbyists.
• Researching and drafting legislation, including drafting language for bills, reports, amendments, and accompanying press releases. 
• Serving as the point person on legislative issues for GFI, including with the press. 
• Writing op-eds, white papers, and policy briefs, as needed.
• Building alliances and cultivating support for shared goals with other organizations and stakeholders.
• Working with the team to ensure compliance with lobbying reporting requirements, including tracking your own time.
• Building strong internal relationships to ensure consistent, accurate information exchange between the Policy team and other GFI departments.
• Performing other duties as assigned.

The Legislative Director must have:

• A minimum of five years of experience working in legislative roles in the United States Congress, including experience securing funds through the federal appropriations process.
• Detailed understanding of candidate scorecards, questionnaires, and voter guides.
• Experience communicating effectively with both Republican and Democratic elected officials and their staff.
• Experience managing a team.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• 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.

If you meet some but not all of these requirements and would like to be considered for an Associate Director role at a lower salary, please indicate that in your cover letter. 

The ideal candidate would also have:

• A J.D. from an accredited law school.
• Two cycles of experience working directly with or on partisan federal political campaigns or political action committees.
• An understanding of climate and/or food policy in the United States. 
• Experience working for a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with an affiliated (c)(4) lobbying organization.
• 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: Policy Office, Farragut Square, Washington, D.C. 
• Travel: Flexible, but anticipated travel of 3 to 4 times per year for conferences, workshops, and organizational retreats.
• Benefits: Flexible hours, full medical coverage, optional dental and vision packages, a 401(k) retirement plan with employer match, flexible schedule, flexible holiday and vacation plans, room 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. 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:  $135,850-$143,000 (depending on experience and qualifications)

In time, the person in this role may apply to become the President of the Good Food Legislative Fund, in which case some of these details may change. We expect that the salary will stay the same.

Application Deadline: Rolling 

Decided not to apply? If after reviewing this job description, you have decided not to apply, please let us know why by completing this short survey. 

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.