Head of Government Affairs

Location: Washington, DC

Reports to: President & CEO

The Global Business Alliance (GBA) seeks a seasoned, strategic and highly effective leader to serve as Head of Government Affairs.

Reporting to the President and CEO, the Head of Government Affairs (HGA) will lead GBA’s government affairs function across federal and state policy priorities. This individual will be responsible for managing and developing a high-performing team, setting clear advocacy priorities, ensuring consistent execution, and helping translate GBA’s policy agenda into meaningful impact for members.

This role is ideal for a senior government affairs leader who is energized by building strong teams, driving high-quality execution, and leading through others in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment. The role’s primary responsibility is to ensure that the government affairs team operates with excellence, discipline and strategic focus.

Key Responsibilities

Lead GBA’s Government Affairs Function

• Oversee GBA’s government affairs strategy and execution across federal, state, and cross-cutting policy priorities.
• Translate organizational priorities into clear advocacy plans, workstreams and team objectives.
• Ensure GBA’s policy agenda is aligned with member needs, organizational strategy and the broader external environment.
• Help identify emerging policy risks and opportunities affecting international companies operating in the United States.

Manage and Develop a High-Performing Team

• Lead, coach and develop a team of government affairs professionals across multiple issue areas.
• Set clear expectations and ensure accountability for performance, collaboration, responsiveness and quality.
• Strengthen team effectiveness by reinforcing prioritization, workflow, coordination and follow-through.
• Build bench strength and support the professional growth and visibility of team members.

Drive Excellence in Execution

• Oversee the production of policy analysis, advocacy materials, member briefings, testimony, comments and other government affairs outputs.
• Ensure work is high quality, timely, strategically sound and aligned across issue areas.
• Establish and maintain strong internal processes for planning, review, escalation and decision-making.
• Manage competing priorities effectively in a dynamic, fast-moving policy environment.

Partner Closely with the President and CEO

• Work in close coordination with the President and CEO on policy priorities, advocacy strategy and organizational objectives.
• Support the President and CEO’s role as the principal external representative of the organization through strong policy coordination, preparation and follow-through.
• Serve as a trusted senior advisor to the President and CEO on government affairs strategy, policy risks and execution challenges.

Collaborate Across the Organization

• Partner closely with GBA’s communications, membership and events teams to ensure government affairs work is aligned with broader organizational priorities.
• Help translate advocacy work into clear member value, strong programming and effective external engagement.
• Contribute to a high-functioning senior leadership team and support enterprise-wide coordination.

Build External Relationships and Coalitions

• Maintain and deepen relationships with policymakers, agency officials, partner organizations and other key stakeholders relevant to GBA’s policy priorities.
• Support coalition strategy and coalition management in service of GBA’s advocacy objectives.
• Oversee the effective use of outside consultants and external partners where appropriate.

Qualifications

• At least 15 years of experience in government affairs, public policy, advocacy or a related field.
• Demonstrated success leading policy strategy and execution in a complex, fast-paced environment.
• Significant experience managing and developing high-performing teams.
• Strong understanding of the legislative, regulatory, and political process at the federal and state level.
• Demonstrated interest in and knowledge of the policy issues affecting international companies operating in the United States, including tax, trade, economic competitiveness, investment, and related business policy issues.
• Excellent judgment and strong strategic instincts, with the ability to prioritize across multiple issues and demands.
• Excellent writing, analytical, and communication skills, with the ability to synthesize complex issues into clear, actionable messages.
• Strong interpersonal skills, professionalism, and the ability to work effectively with colleagues, members, policymakers and external stakeholders.
• Experience engaging elected officials and policymakers from both political parties in a nonpartisan and credible manner.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail and follow-through.
• A management style that is disciplined, collaborative and committed to excellence.
• Commitment to GBA’s mission and interest in advancing an open economy that welcomes international investment in the United States.

Preferred Candidate Profile

• The strongest candidates will bring:
• Credibility as a senior government affairs leader
• A track record of building and managing effective teams
• Strong instincts for prioritization and execution
• The ability to lead through others rather than relying primarily on personal issue ownership
• Sound judgment, maturity and steadiness in a high-visibility environment

Compensation Details: $225-250K

The compensation range listed for this position is provided as a good-faith estimate of what the organization intends to offer for this role at the time this posting was issued. Actual compensation may vary based on factors such as job responsibilities, education, experience, skills and market data.

Benefits Overview: Our health and welfare benefits are designed to support you and your priorities. Offerings include:

• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Disability, life and accident insurance
• Generous paid time off and holidays
• Retirement benefits (including 401(k) matching)
• Remote work and Commuter subsidy
• Parental and family flex leave

To Apply

Please email your cover letter and resume to opportunities@globalbusiness.org. In the subject line, please state: “Head of Government Affairs”

About Global Business Alliance

The Global Business Alliance is the premier voice of international companies in the United States. Our members are international companies with major operations in the United States and are an indispensable part of our nation’s economic success. GBA’s mission is to promote and defend an open economy that welcomes international companies to invest in America.