Full-Time
Washington, DC
ABOUT RAZOM
Razom, which means “together” in Ukrainian, is dedicated to upholding the principles of the Revolution of Dignity (Maidan) and actively contributing to the establishment of a secure, prosperous, and democratic Ukraine. Razom is a U.S.-based 501(c)(3).
Razom Advocacy, based in Washington DC, is a non-partisan Razom program committed to advancing policy for Ukrainian victory and to nurturing community engagement across the United States and Ukraine.
Razom Action, the 501(c)(4) advocacy partner of Razom for Ukraine, builds support in Washington for U.S. policies that defend Ukraine’s sovereignty, freedom, and security. While Razom for Ukraine delivers education and humanitarian aid, Razom Action ensures pro-Ukraine allies in Congress and the Administration have the support they need to act.
OVERVIEW OF ROLE
The Director of Government Affairs is a strategic leader responsible for driving legislative and policy outcomes that deliver tangible results for Ukraine, with a focus on victory against the invasion and on long-term recovery. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record of success in government affairs and a broad understanding of the legislative process and U.S. political landscape.
The Director of Government Affairs leads a 2–4 person Government Affairs Team team currently within the 501(c)(3). This team may transition to Razom Action (our 501(c)(4)) in 2026 as our advocacy infrastructure grows. The Director sets strategic goals and manages workflow for staff, volunteers, and interns. This position reports to the Razom Advocacy Program Director and works alongside the Director of Public Engagement, who leads the Public Engagement team.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Government Advocacy
• Advance federal policy and legislation through direct engagement with legislators, executive branch officials, and other stakeholders
• Identify and set legislative priorities, create strategy for successful execution.
• Monitor and analyze policy developments and legislative proposals
• Establish strong connections and nurture relationships with Congressional and Executive Branch decision-makers at all levels, ensuring access and influence for Razom’s objectives and fostering support for Ukraine’s objectives on both sides of the aisle.
• Track and analyze the effectiveness of government advocacy activities to identify areas for improvement and to demonstrate impact
• Drive executive-branch outcomes: DOD/State/NSC implementation, appropriations execution, and oversight to prevent slow-rolling or diversion of aid.
• Appropriations, NDAA, and oversight fluency: ability to work with authorization/appropriations staff, report language, holds, notifications, and watchdog dynamics.
• Identify and break execution bottlenecks in U.S. security assistance, energy support, and sanctions enforcement
Policy, Communications, and Admin
• Manage the production of the Congressional Ukraine Brief, Executive-Branch-facing communication, Hill-facing communication, and policy materials.
• Lead internal policy and legislative tracking, reporting, and compliance, and goal implementation. Coordinate with Advocacy Program Officer on KPI management.
• Serve as a policy expert, keeping Razom leadership, staff, and community stakeholders informed about relevant legislative and policy proposals
• Develop innovative legislative/policy proposals by identifying emerging needs and creating solutions that align with Razom’s mission and advocacy priorities.
• Plan and implement regular events and other activities to support Razom Advocacy’s government relations goals, such as congressional staff briefings, town halls, conferences, in-district and office visits, receptions, stakeholder meetings.
• Oversee the Congressional Fellowship Program, fellow placement, and contract execution.
• Manage Razom Government Affairs budget, organizational memberships, and subscriptions.
• Oversee LDA reporting and vendor management. Create clear structures and processes for internal and external stakeholder management.
Team Leadership and Development
• Lead the Government Affairs team, including lobbyists and policy staff, to achieve tangible outcomes in federal legislation and policy
• Lead the hiring, onboarding, training, and mentorship of new and existing team members, including interns and volunteers assigned to the Government Affairs team
• Provide clear expectations, constructive feedback, and opportunities for professional development for team members, volunteers, and interns
• Build a high-output team culture: set clear individual and team goals, ensure fast follow-up, accurate reporting, accountability, and professional growth
• The Director will help design and execute the GA team’s transition plan to Razom Action as appropriate
• Create opportunities for team members to learn, develop new skills, and advance their careers
Additional Responsibilities
• Collaborate with the Director of Public Engagement to design and execute public outreach campaigns that support the Government Affairs team’s goals, including coordinating efforts on constituent fly-ins, in-district work, media relations, and other related work
• Expand Razom’s network by cultivating connections with key public figures, Ukrainian-American organizations, and other key individuals.
• Represent Razom effectively by being a persuasive and articulate spokesperson for Razom at public events, meetings, and conferences. Effectively communicate Razom’s mission, initiatives, and impact to diverse audiences.
• Serve as a leader at Razom at-large, collaborating with team-members across the organization and with Razom’s other programs in Ukraine and the United States
• Assist with fundraising for Razom in partnership with the Chief Advancement Officer
• Coordinate with internal stakeholders on donor reporting, government affairs communications across Razom platforms, and cross-program collaboration.
• Identify Advocacy opportunities for regular special guest visits to DC.
• Execute additional duties as assigned
Qualifications
• 7+ years of experience in advocacy organizations, national security policy, or government relations, including a track record of creativity and adaptability by leveraging non-traditional approaches to advocacy work.
• 3+ years of experience managing a team of 2 or more individuals.
• Strong knowledge of Ukraine policy and U.S. support for Ukraine
• Established credibility and relationships with decision-makers in Washington, D.C. Ability to demonstrate a strong network in foreign policy and national security.
• Proven proactive and tenacious approach to government relations, demonstrating exceptional persistence in advancing priorities, targeted personal contact with officials and staff members, maintaining vigorous follow-up, and consistently overcoming challenges to advance policy and legislation.
• Proven familiarity with Executive Branch and Congressional operations, hierarchies, and processes.
• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline.
• Experience with 501(c)(4) organizations and/or political programs preferred.
• Ukrainian language a plus; familiarity with the pro-Ukraine movement in the U.S. preferred.
Success in this role looks like:
• Measurable legislative and executive-branch outcomes that expand U.S. support for Ukraine and raise costs on Russia.
• A disciplined government affairs program with clear targets, follow-up, and reporting.
• Tight integration with Public Engagement to convert grassroots pressure into legislative and policy outcomes to support Ukraine.
Notes
• Travel requirement: 10%, mostly around the U.S. and occasionally to Ukraine.
• This position requires registration under the Lobbying Disclosure Act (LDA).
• Razom does not act as the agent of any foreign entity or individual. Neither Razom nor the incumbent for this position will engage in activity registrable under the Foreign Agent Registration Act (FARA).
Logistics and Benefits
• Razom offers generous paid time off, medical/dental insurance, a 401k plan, and unique opportunities for ongoing professional development.
• U.S. work authorization required; unfortunately, visa sponsorship is not available at this time.
Salary Range
• $115,000–$140,000
• Final salary based on experience, qualifications, and finalized scope of work.
Razom is an equal opportunity employer.
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