Legislative Director (Volunteer)

Alliance for American Leadership (A4AL)

Location: Washington, DC

The Alliance for American Leadership is a coalition of 70,000 development professionals, students, diplomats, veterans, and engaged citizens committed to strengthening U.S. global leadership through effective foreign assistance.

The Legislative Director leads A4AL’s legislative strategy and supports the organization’s efforts to advance its policy agenda at the local, state, and federal levels. This role ensures that A4AL’s legislative advocacy is coordinated, strategic, and aligned with organizational priorities. The Legislative Director works closely with Executive Leadership to guide the legislative team, strengthen external partnerships, and cultivate a mission-driven community of interns and volunteers.

Core Responsibilities:

Legislative Strategy & Policy Alignment

Oversee A4AL’s legislative activities, including congressional meetings, policy research,

and resource development for partners.

Develop and refine strategies for engagement at the local, state, and federal levels.

Ensure all legislative advocacy aligns with A4AL’s policy agenda and accounts for

relevant political, operational, and organizational considerations.

Leadership Support & Cross-Team Coordination

Serve as a key liaison between Executive Leadership and the legislative team, ensuring

clear communication, alignment, and support.

Provide strategic guidance to team leads without managing day-to-day operations,

empowering them to execute their responsibilities effectively.

Represent the legislative team’s needs, progress, and challenges to Executive

Leadership.

External Relations & Partner Engagement

Build and maintain relationships with congressional offices, policy partners, and

advocacy organizations.

Support the creation of legislative resources, briefings, and materials for external

stakeholders.

Represent A4AL in meetings, coalitions, and collaborative initiatives related to

legislative priorities.

Intern & Volunteer Community Development

Create and maintain a strong, supportive community for interns and volunteers within

the legislative team.

Provide mentorship, guidance, and professional development opportunities whenever

possible.

Foster a culture of learning, collaboration, and mission-driven engagement across the

team.

Qualifications

Experience in legislative affairs, public policy, government relations, or advocacy within

a nonprofit or mission-driven environment.

Strong understanding of legislative processes at the local, state, and federal levels.

Excellent communication, relationship-building, and strategic planning skills.

Ability to collaborate effectively with leadership, staff, and external partners.

Demonstrated ability to mentor emerging leaders and cultivate a positive team culture.

Commitment to A4AL’s mission and values.

Screening Questions

Do you understand this is an unpaid, volunteer position?

Do you have at least 10 hours a week to dedicate to this position?

Are you authorized to work in the US?

Questions:

Could you describe your experience working on or around Capitol Hill.

(if not already answered, ask) Please describe your experience drafting legislative and policy materials, including (if  applicable) bill text, Dear Colleague letters, correspondence to executive agencies, newsletters sent to congressional staff, and policy briefs.

(if not already answered, ask) What specific exposure have you had to congressional offices, and what relationships (if any) would you bring to this role?

The Alliance for American Leadership is a coalition of 70,000 development professionals, students, diplomats, veterans, and engaged citizens committed to strengthening U.S. global leadership through effective civilian foreign assistance. How do you feel about foreign assistance?

Let’s say you are meeting with Brian Mast, Chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and a consistent critic of foreign aid. Please introduce yourself, introduce the Alliance for American Leadership, and explain your support for international assistance in a way that is persuasive to him.

You will be overseeing a team of ~50 highly committed legislative interns and ~40 additional interns and volunteers with varying levels of engagement. How would you manage, motivate, and prepare this team to meet with their Members of Congress and produce consistent, high-quality legislative output? 

Are you based in the Washington, DC area?

• (If they say yes): We will be working in-person 4 days per week, alternating between the Rayburn House Office Building and George Washington University. It would be wonderful if you could join for one or more of those days every week. How many days, if any, could you commit to working in person per week?

How many hours per week can you realistically dedicate to this unpaid, volunteer role?

How many months do you see yourself committing to this role?

As well as our Legislative Director, we have Government Affairs Advisors on the team who complete legislative work, advise on strategy, and lead meetings with congressional offices. Keeping in mind that the Legislative Director is in charge of leading a large team and consistently committing time to the organization, are you more comfortable being the Legislative Director or a Government Affairs Advisor?