Reports to: Director, Family First Technology Initiative

Location: Washington, D.C. (Full-Time) working out of FFTI’s Washington D.C. office

Salary: $90,000-$120,000 commensurate with experience

Benefits: Health insurance reimbursement, IRA with 3% match, three weeks paid vacation

About IFS and FFTI
The Institute for Family Studies (IFS) is a leading nonprofit, nonpartisan research and policy
organization dedicated to strengthening marriage and family life. The Family First Technology
Initiative (FFTI) was established in 2024 to address how technology is shaping contemporary
society by centering a simple question: Does this change help or hurt families?

In just a short time, FFTI’s policy research and educational advocacy has informed and inspired
dozens of state laws that make the Internet safer for kids, earning a stellar nonpartisan
reputation for policy work. IFS’ research focus also yields unique opportunities to conduct
flash public opinion polls and produce innovative research on core FFTI issue areas. Now, we
seek to build on this track record by aggressively expanding our program scope to address AI’s
impacts on kids, families, and communities.

IFS seeks an experienced Federal Policy Manager to lead the organization’s federal policy
education, engagement, and advocacy strategy. In this role, you will cultivate and steward
relationships with federal policymakers; develop and implement strategies to engage
policymakers through our experts, research, and policy products; help build a family first
technology policy movement at the federal-level; and increase the visibility of family-related
concerns in U.S. tech policy and governance.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Cultivate and steward relationships with federal policymakers
  • Proactively identify and build relationships with federal policymakers relevant to FFTI’s overall tech and AI policy scope and mission
  • Shepherd new and existing federal relationships through regular outreach and communication
• Develop and facilitate FFTI’s policy engagement strategy
  • Work closely with senior fellows and analysts to reach and engage federal policymakers around FTTI’s policy and research products by facilitating meetings, educational briefings, testimony, and technical assistance
• Build FFTI’s policy presence and influence
  • Anticipate and identify opportunities to grow the visibility and policy impact of FFTI’s research, including by organizing educational trainings and events for policymakers, issue briefings, advocacy letters, regulatory comments, technical assistance on policy, and legislative testimony
  • Serve as FFTI’s primary point of contact with federal policymakers and staff members (particularly for fielding incoming inquiries from staff, as well as extending invitations to events and meetings, tracking action items, and conducting following ups)
  • Represent FFTI on regular legislative calls, meetings, and convenings; Support senior fellows and analysts in preparing for and submitting testimony and other public engagement with policymakers
• Organize and lead policy advocacy efforts
  • Serve as FFTI’s primary liaison to other policy organizations
  • Build relationships with aligned policy organizations and professionals
  • Spearhead federal policy strategy and advocacy on FFTI issues and model legislation in partnership with other aligned organizations
  • Partner with internal stakeholders to shape policy and research products that are relevant, concrete, and advance the organization’s advocacy strategy
• Track and provide updates on relevant federal policy developments:
  • Monitor federal AI and tech policy relevant to FFTI, including proposed rulemakings and requests for comment, and provide regular updates to fellows and analysts
  • Anticipate and identify emerging policy developments that impact FFTI’s policy priorities
  • Provide strategic counsel to senior fellows and analysts on how to maximize impact amidst the rapidly changing policy landscape

Qualifications
Required

• Strong familiarity and alignment with the IFS mission and with FFTI’s policy priorities
• 3+ years’ experience in the U.S. House of Representatives, U.S. Senate, the U.S. Executive Branch, or federal advocacy or lobbying
• Familiarity with AI and technology regulation
• Proven ability to build and leverage networks among policymakers, advocates, or industry leaders
• Self-starter who thrives in a dynamic, startup environment and requires very limited oversight
• Excellent social, verbal, and written communication skills

Preferred

• Existing relationships on Capitol Hill or in the U.S. Executive Branch
• Candidates with Hill experience in tech policy, especially related to the House Energy and Commerce Committee or the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee