The American Bankers Association is the banking industry's champion. Joining ABA makes you part of a team that: • has Extraordinary People - ABA experts are the "go to" sources for bankers, policy makers and the media for credible information and insights for the banking industry. • has Unmatched Scope and Scale - ABA's unparalleled information and services keep members current, knowledgeable and prepared. • is Impact-Driven - ABA has a proven record of bringing about positive change for our members and the industry. We take action and achieve results. Plus competitive pay, an outstanding benefits package, a convenient DC location, a professional collegial work environment and an opportunity to work on issues of national significance equals a winning combination!
Employer of Choice: ABA is recognized with a 2025Great Company Culture Award and 2025 Great Place to Work designation!
Job Description:
ABA’s Office of Strategic Engagement (OSE) is seeking an experienced public policy professional to join its advocacy team. OSE supports senior leadership in developing ABA’s policy strategy and messaging, while driving a portfolio of high-priority advocacy campaigns across key areas.
The Senior Director of Strategic Engagement will be responsible for managing relationships with external stakeholders and providing accountability for OSE-designated projects. The successful candidate will be a seasoned public policy professional with a deep understanding of the federal and state policymaking process, have a track record of bipartisan coalition-building, and experience supporting issue-based public policy campaigns.
The Senior Director will be responsible for day-to-day management of our external relations function, building and maintaining relationships with advocacy groups, state policy organizations, third-party organizations, and other stakeholders.
Responsibilities include:
Building coalitions and interfacing with external stakeholders: A critical component of ABA's advocacy campaigns involves updating external stakeholders on efforts and partnering on various initiatives. The Senior Director will strengthen relationships with third-party organizations and develop new opportunities for collaboration.
Leveraging advocacy infrastructure: ABA has a comprehensive set of advocacy tools that must be efficiently and effectively deployed in pursuit of our policy objectives. As a membership organization, ABA’s priorities are our members’ priorities, so effective communication with our members in each OSE priority area is critical. The Senior Director must ensure key membership constituencies are positioned effectively and supported with the information they need to maximize advocacy impact – both in everyday interactions with policymakers, and at our flagship advocacy events.
Crafting compelling advocacy narratives: The Senior Director will work closely with subject matter experts throughout the organization to define and prioritize policy objectives. For key policy priorities, OSE will help facilitate internal deliberations on strategic direction, including the use of data analytics, messaging, coalition building, and member outreach to craft compelling advocacy narratives and achieve objectives. The successful candidate will help create an environment of seamless coordination between ABA departments and drive a cohesive approach to the work product of the organization.
Requirements:
Bachelor’s degree in government, political science, public policy, or related field preferred or equivalent experience.
10+ years of experience in financial services policy or related areas preferred.
10+ years of working with Congress and/or the Executive Branch preferred.
10+ years of experience working with senior executives.
Large, active personal network within the policy and financial services communities.
Experience supporting successful policy issue advocacy campaigns with a focus on collaboration and problem-solving.
Ability to successfully take ownership and initiative in a fast-paced, tight-knit environment where flexibility, organization, and teamwork are essential.
Strong project management skills to ensure the timely execution of complex action plans.
Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
Membership organization experience preferred.
Familiarity with financial services issues strongly preferred.
Knowledge of advocacy strategies and tactics is strongly preferred.
Experience with strategic communications preferred.
Exceptional interpersonal, communication, and management skills.
Ability to travel (20 – 50%).
Target range for role: $165,000.00 - $175,000.00
Salary Band Range: $129,220.00 - $178,930.00 - $228,640.00
American Bankers Association (ABA) is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, marital status, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, protected Veteran status, personal appearance, political affiliation, family responsibilities, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.
The American Bankers Association is the united voice of America’s hometown bankers—small, regional and large banks that together employ more than 2 million women and men, hold nearly $17 trillion in assets, safeguard $12.8 trillion in deposits and extend more than $9 trillion in loans. ABA believes that government policies should recognize the industry’s diversity. Laws and regulations should be tailored to correspond to a bank’s charter, business model, hometown markets and risk profile. This policymaking approach avoids the negative economic consequences of burdensome, unsuitable and inefficient bank regulation. Through a broad array of information, training, staff expertise and other resources, ABA supports America’s hometown bankers as they perform their critical role as drivers of America’s economic growth and job creation.
