Director of Regulatory Affairs and Legal Research

Position Summary:

Democracy Forward Foundation (“Democracy Forward”) is seeking a mission-driven, experienced, and high-integrity Director of Regulatory Affairs & Legal Research to lead our monitoring and engagement in the administrative rulemaking process. This role will oversee the organization’s regulatory tracking, comment development, and ad hoc legal research efforts, ensuring that Democracy Forward Foundation remains responsive, informed, and strategically positioned in the federal rulemaking arena.

The Director of Regulatory Affairs & Legal Research will report to the Senior Director of Oversight, Regulatory Affairs, and Strategic Initiatives and work closely with staff across departments, including executive leadership.

This position is full-time. Democracy Forward Foundation’s office is located in Washington, DC; the employee is expected to be in the office an average of 2 days per week. While candidates in the DC area are preferred, remote candidates outside of the DC area will also be considered. If a candidate is outside of the DC area, travel to DC is expected 1-2 times per quarter.

Key Responsibilities:

Below are the key areas of responsibility for this role. The specifics of each responsibility may vary based on the needs of the organization and department.

• Regulatory Monitoring and Advocacy
  • Lead Democracy Forward Foundation’s monitoring of federal regulatory activity, including proposed rules, executive actions, and other administrative actions. 
  • Implement and maintain systems for identifying, analyzing, and prioritizing rulemakings of strategic interest to the organization.
  • Develop and implement systems for communicating efficiently with coalition partners about regulatory activity. 
  • Coordinate timely responses to regulatory actions, including public comments, partner engagement, and related advocacy materials.
  • Work collaboratively with the Director of Strategic Initiatives, Director of Oversight & Engagement, the Director of Democracy 2025, and with Democracy Forward’s Legal and Public Affairs teams to align regulatory engagement with broader strategic priorities and organizational initiatives.

• Legal Research and Strategic Support
  • Manage ad hoc legal research projects on emerging legal, administrative, and constitutional issues to inform Democracy Forward’s litigation and advocacy efforts.
  • Build out our internal research infrastructure to support rapid, high-quality analysis across teams.
  • Build and/or maintain partnerships with academics, think tanks, and advocacy organizations to expand the organization’s research capacity and visibility.
  • Provide legal and policy analysis that supports proactive engagement in the pro-democracy movement through affirmative litigation, amicus briefs, regulatory advocacy, and coalition partnerships.

• Leadership 
  • Serve as a resource for legal and program staff, offering training and guidance on regulatory processes, public comment drafting, and best practices for administrative advocacy.
  • Represent Democracy Forward in coalitions and convenings focused on administrative law, regulatory policy, and public participation in governance.
  • Help to build and maintain a collaborative, high-performing, and inclusive team of legal and professional staff members. 
  • Effectively supervise, motivate and mentor staff, including receiving and providing timely and constructive feedback.
  • Promote and maintain a culture of high performance, integrity, and creativity through effective management and appropriate delegation.

Qualifications:

We recognize that strong candidates may not meet 100% of the qualifications listed. If you believe you can contribute meaningfully to our team, we encourage you to apply.

• 10-15 years of experience in the federal government or familiarity with the regulatory process.
• JD preferred but not required.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Able to support the growth and development of more junior staff.
• Collaborative leadership style with the ability to develop relationships of trust and confidence with colleagues across teams and departments.
• Ability to manage multiple, competing deadlines and priorities and be nimble and flexible in response to fast-moving threats.
• Ability to manage up and support principals as well as supervise team members. 
• Self-awareness, commitment to diversity and inclusivity, and ability to work with colleagues and stakeholders across diverse cultures and backgrounds. 
• Commitment to Democracy Forward Foundation’s mission and a high-performing, inclusive workplace.

Work Environment & Physical Demands:

• This role may require occasional travel for team retreats, conferences, or organizational meetings.
• This role may involve sitting for extended periods and working on a computer. Reasonable accommodations will be provided as needed.

The salary range for this position is $160,000-$190,000 plus excellent benefits. Compensation is commensurate with experience.