Associate Director, Government Affairs

Job Title: Associate Director, Government Affairs

Department: External Affairs

Location: Remote in National Capital Region

Reports to: Vice President, Government Affairs

Direct Reports: None

Classification: Exempt

Position type: Full-Time Employee

Anticipated Pay Range at Commencement of Employment: $79,000 - 109,000

Blue Star Families

Blue Star Families is the largest nonprofit dedicated to making military life better for families. Each year, we support over 1.5 million military- and veteran-connected family members through a national network of 300,000+ members and local chapters in communities across the country.

Our mission is simple and bold: We make military life awesome for families.

We listen, share, partner, and act to deliver evidence-based, data-driven solutions that work for real people. We're a lifestyle organization, a friend and neighbor, and a trusted partner. Our approach is collaborative, human-centered, and designed with the whole family in mind.

A Blue Star Family is one with an immediate family member — a spouse, parent, or child — actively serving in the U.S. Armed Forces, including the Guard and Reserves. These families face unique challenges: frequent relocations, deployments, career disruption, and isolation. We respond with research-informed programs that create connection, build resilience, and foster a true sense of belonging.

We serve with urgency but build trust over time — because change happens at the speed of trust. Whether we're driving spouse employment, supporting caregivers, or helping communities welcome military families, we strive for upstream solutions.

Who We're Looking For:

• Bold thinkers. Fast movers. Smart collaborators. People who want to build, lead, and drive measurable change — and who care deeply about making an impact that matters.

What You'll Do Here:

• Solve complex challenges with data, heart, and humility
• Build cross-sector partnerships that get things done
• Help military families feel at home wherever they live

If you're ready to work in a high-performance, mission-driven environment — and to make life better for those who serve — Blue Star Families is where you belong.

General Description

The Government Affairs Associate Director will manage and implement Blue Star Families' (BSF) advocacy efforts with Congress and the Administration, building coalitions and collaborating with other VSOs, MSOs and other partners.

The work includes monitoring legislation and media developments, developing advocacy strategies, preparing materials (testimony, issue briefs), representing the organization at public events, and leveraging strong legislative/communication skills to advance mission-critical support. Key is a deep understanding of Veteran and military family issues, legislative process, and stakeholder engagement to improve lives of those who serve, and have served our country.

The incumbent will use data from the annual Military Family Lifestyle Survey (MFLS) and other research initiatives to move the needle on key policies/legislation affecting military and veteran families. The Associate Director will manage the other administrative staff in assuming responsibility for administrative requirements of the GA Department.

While this role is remote, periodic out-of-town, overnight travel is an essential function. In-person time is critical to how we work — enabling deep collaboration, team alignment, creative problem-solving, and a shared sense of purpose. Team members are expected to travel several times per year for offsites, planning sessions, and company-wide gatherings. These events are essential for contributing to team outcomes, building trust across the organization, and staying aligned in a distributed environment. Participation in these in-person gatherings is a required part of the role and integral to successful performance in our remote-first organization.

• Must reside in the National Capital Region.

Key Job Functions

• Manage and execute BSF advocacy strategy with Congress and the Administration, including occasional fly-ins by staff and volunteers.
• Develop and maintain coalitions with other VSOs and MSOs.
• Monitor legislative activity and media developments to inform BSF's advocacy strategy.
• Prepare essential advocacy materials, including testimony and issue briefs.
• Represent BSF at public events and through social media to maintain a positive public presence.
• Leverage BSF research, including the annual MFLS to drive policy solutions.
• Manage administrative staff and execute administrative requirements for the GA team (e.g., scheduling, use of Salesforce, Hive, Google Suite).
• Collaborate with other BSF departments, including Communications, Research, Chapters and Outposts, Development, etc.
• Contribute to evidence-based policy recommendation development and expand BSF's thought leadership in military and Veteran family issues.
• Assist with supervision and training of qualified personnel, interns, and fellows.
• Represent Blue Star Families at community events and networking opportunities to elevate the chapter's visibility and mission.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Experience, Skills & Background

• Bachelor's degree plus 5-7 years of experience in policy, public affairs, or advocacy.
• A passion for improving life for military service members, veterans, and their families
• Regular engagement with Congress.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including public speaking and social media use.
• Daily consumer of media covering current events and military-veteran community.
• Proven ability to build and enhance relationships with key stakeholders across political, military, and organizational leadership.
• Capacity to identify emerging issues and develop unique, innovative solutions.
• Must be able to work independently, manage ambiguity, and deliver results in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to work well in a hybrid remote/in-person environment, and ability to collaborate with a largely-remote BSF staff.
• Local travel requirements required outside of your home office throughout the National Capital Region.
• Ability to travel out of town overnight several times per year for staff offsites, planning retreats, and company-wide events. These gatherings are essential for connection, brainstorming, and staying strategically aligned across teams. Participation is required as a core part of the role.
• May be required to work nights, weekends, and holidays as necessary to carry out key job functions
• Ability to lift and carry supplies and equipment up to 30 lbs

Desired Experience, Skills & Background

• Prior military, Congressional, or related advocacy experience is beneficial.
• Salesforce, Hive, Google Applications, and advocacy software.
• Knowledge of the military family experience.
• Familiarity with membership-driven organizations.

Why Blue Star Families?

• Virtual/remote nonprofit organization that moves with you (position specific)
• Career growth opportunities
• Excellent benefits (403(b) with matching, Flexible Spending, Life Insurance, Short-Term Disability, Communications Allowance, and more)
• Permanent Change of Station (PCS) Leave for Active Duty Military Spouses
• On-the-job professional development training
• Front-line opportunity to positively impact the military experience
• Competitive salaries
• Workplace flexibility