Director of Policy & Strategic Engagement

Audience Development Strategies is seeking a team player who can help support our client in the infrastructure space. The Director of Policy & Strategic Engagement will serve as a strategic resource to ADS and one of our association clients by monitoring policy developments, analyzing regulatory and legislative activity, and helping the association engage effectively with their members and industry partners on policy matters.

This role combines policy analysis, coalition engagement, and strategic facilitation. The Director will help translate complex policy developments into meaningful insights for association leaders and members while strengthening relationships across industry stakeholders and coalition partners.

Working closely with ADS leadership, board members, committees and our lobbying firm, the Director will help ensure that our client remains informed, connected, and strategically positioned within evolving policy landscapes. This is not a lobbying role. While most work can be done remotely, we are looking for someone in the Northeast with preference given to candidates in Washington, D.C. or nearby. There will be occasional work in our Farmington, CT office and onsite at meetings and events in D.C. as well as occasional travel to events within the U.S.

Key Responsibilities

Policy Analysis & Industry Insight

• In conjunction with the association’s lobbyist, monitor federal legislative, regulatory, and policy developments affecting the client.
• Analyze proposed legislation, regulatory guidance, and agency actions impacting client industries.
• Develop policy summaries, briefing materials, and strategic insights for association leaders and members.
• Track emerging policy issues and help identify potential opportunities or risks for our client.
• Assist in developing policy priorities and strategic positioning for clients operating in regulated sectors.

Strategic Engagement & Stakeholder Relations

• Along with other ADS staff, represent our client in industry working groups, coalition meetings, and stakeholder discussions as appropriate.
• Assist in building and maintaining relationships with partner associations, industry organizations, and policy stakeholders.
• Identify opportunities for collaboration with aligned organizations and coalitions.
• Provide strategic insight to ADS and client leadership on broader industry dynamics and policy developments.

Member Communication & Policy Education

• Help translate complex policy developments into clear updates for association members.
• In conjunction with the client’s lobbyist, assist in developing policy-related communications including briefings, newsletters, alerts, and member resources.
• Help answer member questions regarding policy and regulatory developments affecting their industries, or work with the client’s lobbyist to get the answers.
• Support the development of educational resources that help members better understand relevant policy issues.

Strategic Coordination

• Facilitate communication between association leadership, policy committees, and external policy advisors or lobbying teams.
• Support the work of client policy committees and advisory groups.
• Help ensure alignment between policy strategy, advocacy efforts, and member communications.

Event & Program Development

• Contribute policy expertise to the development of conference sessions, panels, and educational programming.
• Assist in identifying relevant policy topics, speakers, and moderators for association events.
• Participate in industry conferences, briefings, and educational programs as appropriate.

About ADS

Audience Development Strategies (ADS) is a fast-growing association management and events firm that partners with professional societies, trade associations, and industry coalitions to strengthen their operations, expand their reach, and elevate their impact. Our team provides full-service management, strategic consulting, event production, membership development, and policy engagement support for a diverse portfolio of national and regional associations.

Qualifications

• Experience in public policy, regulatory affairs, industry policy analysis, or association government affairs.
• Strong ability to analyze complex policy issues and communicate them clearly to diverse audiences.
• Experience working with trade associations, professional societies, coalitions, or government agencies preferred.
• Familiarity with federal legislative and regulatory processes.
• Demonstrated ability to build relationships across multiple organizations and stakeholders.

Key Skills

• Policy analysis and strategic thinking
• Stakeholder engagement and coalition building
• Written communication and policy briefing
• Meeting facilitation and strategic coordination
• Ability to translate complex policy issues into practical insights

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