Congressional Liaison, Asset Building Program

The New America Foundation seeks a Congressional Liaison for the Asset Building Program. The program, launched in 2002, has established itself as a leading voice on innovative, market-oriented public policies to enable low- and moderate-wealth families in the U.S and around the world to (a) accumulate savings; (b) access wealth-building financial services and financial education; (c) better manage their debts; and (d) build and protect lifelong, productive assets—a home, an education, a small business, investments, and a nest-egg for retirement. The program is among the world’s leading policy experts and advocates for universal and progressively funded savings accounts at birth in developed and developing countries.

In 2006, the program launched both the Financial Services and Education Project and the Global Assets Project to deepen its work in these areas; is a leading voice for asset-building policies in California; launched and manages the assets clearinghouse, AssetBuilding.org; and played a seminal role in the 2005 formation of the bi-partisan, bi-cameral Congressional Savings and Ownership Caucus in the U.S. Congress. The program has also published in the nation’s leading newspapers and magazines, and has appeared on the nation’s top television and radio programs. For more information, see http://www.newamerica.net/programs/asset_building.

Primary Responsibilities

• Conceptualize and manage the Program’s activities to educate Members of Congress and other federal policymakers about broadening asset ownership in the U.S., including and especially proposals to endow every child in America with assets at birth.
• Work closely with the leadership of New America to devise creative, politically astute policy and communications strategies to broaden the ownership of assets.
• Strategically manage the House and Senate Savings and Ownership Caucuses, which were launched with the support of New America in February 2005.
• Organize public policy events on Capitol Hill.
• Represent the Program and deliver speeches at conferences and meetings in the U.S. and around the world.
• Prepare and publish articles, op-eds, fact sheets, and other publications related to policy proposals to build assets.

Qualifications

Ideal candidates will have the following qualifications:

• Excellent knowledge of the federal policymaking process; two or more years of Capitol Hill experience strongly preferred.
• Outstanding strategic thinking and organizing abilities, especially regarding federal legislation.
• Very strong writing and public speaking skills, especially the ability to communicate policy ideas and legislative proposals concisely and effectively to policymakers.
• Solid working knowledge of issues and organizations relevant to asset building, including tax policy, retirement policy, financial education, economic development, savings policy, poverty, and inequality.

Application Process

Please mail, fax, or email a resume and cover letter (maximum two pages) summarizing your interests and qualifications to: HR, New America Foundation, 1630 Connecticut Avenue, NW, 7th Floor, Washington, DC 20009. Fax: 202-986-3696. E-mail: jobs@newamerica.net. Please state “Congressional Liaison, Asset Building Program” in the e-mail subject line. No phone calls, please.

Generous salary package commensurate with experience; excellent benefits. The New America Foundation is an equal opportunity employer.