Associate Director, Economic Policy

The Bipartisan Policy Center (BPC) is a Washington, DC-based think tank that brings together leaders from across the political spectrum to develop and advance practical, bipartisan solutions to the challenges facing Americans. Through policy development and advocacy, BPC and its advocacy affiliate, BPC Action, work to turn ideas into meaningful results in Washington and beyond.

Our work spans some of the nation’s most consequential domestic policy issues, with a focus on lowering the everyday cost of living for families, expanding opportunity, strengthening the American economy, and improving the effectiveness of government.

BPC’s Economic Policy Program (EPP) is seeking an Associate Director to help lead its tax, fiscal, and retirement policy work—with a particular focus on Social Security—and to contribute significantly to the newly launched American Opportunity Project with the National Governors Association.

EPP is consistently recognized by lawmakers, the policy community, and private industry as a source of expertise on tax policy, the federal budget, and retirement security. The program works closely with bipartisan members of Congress and executive branch officials to provide technical assistance and elevate the importance of fiscal policy reform.

The moment is pivotal. Social Security’s primary trust fund is projected to be depleted within the decade, and meaningful legislative action on retirement savings is anticipated in the coming years.

The ideal candidate will combine rigorous policy expertise with the credibility and relationships to drive bipartisan progress on Social Security solvency, retirement savings, tax reform, and broader fiscal policy. They will provide strategic direction for EPP’s research and engagement, conduct detailed analysis, represent BPC with congressional staff, executive branch officials, peer organizations, and the public, and work effectively in a matrixed organization.

This position reports to the director of retirement and financial security.

Responsibilities:

• Lead written products, including reports, white papers, issue briefs, blogs, fact sheets, explainers, and memos, that translate scholarly research into clear, accessible, and actionable content to inform federal policy development.
• Provide thought leadership and strategic insight for EPP’s tax, fiscal, and retirement and financial security portfolios.
• Conduct rigorous research and analysis on tax policy, the federal budget, Social Security, private-sector retirement savings, and related financial security issues, and visualize data from the Congressional Budget Office, the Joint Committee on Taxation, the IRS, the Social Security Administration, and other public sources so congressional staff and outside experts can understand complex trends.
• Build and maintain relationships with and brief with congressional staff, administration officials, and peer organizations on fiscal, tax, Social Security and retirement policy. Collaborate with them to advance consensus-driven policy recommendations.
• Represent BPC at external engagements, including policy panels and other public forums, with occasional travel outside the Beltway.
• Develop and manage major institutional partnerships, collaborate with BPC’s development team on fundraising strategy and donor engagement, and oversee major research grants.
• Collaborate across BPC, including with the Health Program on the overlap between health care costs and retirement security (including long-term care), with the Human Capital team on workplace benefits and supports, and with the communications, advocacy, and events teams to promote and advance EPP’s work.
• Coach and mentor staff to foster personal growth and build the team’s capacity for impactful research and analysis.

Required Skills and Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in public policy, political science, government, economics, public administration, law, communications, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
• 7-10 years of relevant professional experience in public policy, government, advocacy, nonprofit organizations, consulting, think tanks, public affairs, legislative affairs, or a related field.
• Technical knowledge of the federal fiscal policy landscape, including current tax debates, the status of Social Security, relevant data, political dynamics, and the public and private organizations that shape these issues.
• Experience working with the legislative and/or executive branches, or a demonstrated understanding of congressional or federal agency operations.
• Excellent quantitative and research skills, including the ability to analyze data from sources such as the Congressional Budget Office, the Joint Committee on Taxation, the IRS, and the Social Security Administration.
• Strong data visualization skills that make complex fiscal, tax, and economic trends understandable to congressional staff and outside experts.
• Excellent writing and analytical skills, with the ability to produce clear, accessible materials for congressional and public audiences, including policy briefs, explainers, and media-facing content.
• Exceptional verbal communication skills and experience preparing materials for senior policymakers and executive audiences.
• Experience facilitating consensus-building among organizations and individuals with differing viewpoints, and strong political acumen to navigate complex policy environments.
• Strong commitment to objective, evidence-informed analysis and bipartisan policymaking.
• Demonstrated success managing multiple projects with competing deadlines while maintaining high-quality work products, and the ability to work independently and exercise sound judgment.
• Collaborative spirit and experience navigating a matrixed organization.

Preferred Skills and Qualifications:

• Advanced degree in public policy, public administration, economics, law, political science, or a related field.
• Experience on Capitol Hill or within a federal agency, governor’s office, state legislature, think tank, trade association, advocacy organization, or similar institution.
• Experience elevating an organization’s public profile through national media engagement, including securing regular press mentions and representing the organization on policy panels and other public forums.
• Experience supporting fundraising, donor engagement, grant development, or external partnerships.

What We Offer:

BPC offers a highly competitive salary and provides generous benefits.

Compensation

The anticipated hiring range for this position is $110,000 to $130,000. BPC considers a variety of factors when making compensation decisions, including relevant experience, skills, education, training, knowledge, internal equity, and organizational and business needs.

Medical Benefits

BPC offers medical coverage through CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield with a choice of three plans, one of which is HSA eligible with an annual BPC contribution. All medical plans cover in-network preventive care at 100% and include prescription drugs. Dental and Vision coverage through MetLife includes no-cost options for you and your family.

Additional benefits include:

• Retirement Savings: 403(b) employer matching contributions of up to 7% of salary, plus an additional 2% non-elective employer contribution (both available after 90 days of employment)
• Generous Paid Time Off: 15 vacation days, 2 personal days, 15 sick days, 11 paid holidays, and a paid end-of-year break
• Tuition Reimbursement: Up to $5,250 annually after one year of employment
• Professional Development: Up to $2,000 after six months of employment
• Commuter Benefits: Up to $130 per month in Metro benefits
• Employer-Paid Insurance: Life, accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D), and disability insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs): Health care, dependent care, and parking
• Mental Health & Wellness Support: Access to Spring Health and an Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Working at BPC

BPC operates works on a hybrid schedule, with staff in the office three days a week, Tuesday through Thursday, and the option to work from home on Monday and Friday.

Application Process

Individuals interested in this position should submit a resume and a cover letter. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

More About BPC and BPC Action

Founded in 2007, the Bipartisan Policy Center and its advocacy affiliate, BPC Action, are unique in their approach to solving the nation’s most pressing issues. BPC brings together diverse perspectives from across the political spectrum to develop practical policy solutions, while BPC Action works directly with legislators and policymakers to help turn those solutions into results.

What sets BPC apart is our ability to operate at the intersection of policy development and political advocacy. We build consensus across the aisle and work with leaders from both parties to advance meaningful reforms.

Ideas
BPC brings together respected policy experts, former congressional and administration officials, private-sector leaders, current and former policymakers, and other experts to develop solutions to America’s most pressing challenges.

Action
Policy development is only the beginning. BPC Action advances bipartisan solutions by providing political and technical assistance, identifying and supporting legislative champions, and leveraging relationships with policymakers to help move ideas through Congress.

Results
In 2025, BPC and BPC Action helped support the introduction of more than 120 bills in the House and Senate and helped advance more than 40 bills beyond committee. We engaged with more than half of all congressional offices, expanding our reach across both parties.

BPC is an equal opportunity employer. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law.