Date Posted:
October 15, 2026
Position Title:
Legislative Director
Office/Company:
AARP
Party:
N/A
Office Code:
Job Number:
HC-13514
Reports To:
Location:
Washington, DC
Contact:
Salary:
$121,500.00 – $135,000.00 Yearly
Primary Role
Secondary Role:
Job Type:
Description:
Responsibilities:
• Serves as a point of contact on a specific portfolio of issues.
• Interacts with federal and state elected officials and staff members in a lobbyist capacity.
• Research and identify public policy issues of interest to the organization and prepare summaries and reports on the facts and issues.
• Analyzes federal and state legislative and regulatory proposals, communicates regularly with state office staff regarding the organization’s policy goals, and contributes to internal and external advocacy materials.
• Builds strong relationships with members of Congress, federal or state officials, internal and external stakeholders, professional associations, and coalitions to achieve the organization’s public policy agenda.
• Identifies and recommends opportunities to advance the organization’s priorities.
• Works closely with colleagues in States, Campaigns, Policy Development, Programs, Office of Inclusive Impact, and other departments across AARP to drive robust and proactive advocacy on their portfolio of issues for Americans 50 and older.
• Serves as a spokesperson with press and with legislative and non-legislative audiences on a specific portfolio of issues as they relate to older adults to position the organization as a credible source of information on legislative and regulatory issues. Identifies, supervises and works with outside consultants and issue experts to advance the organization’s advocacy agenda.
Qualifications:
• Bachelor’s degree in Political Science, Public Policy, Law, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• 8+ years of progressively responsible federal legislative, agency, or lobbying experience, such as direct lobbying before Members of Congress and congressional staff, serving in a federal agency role, or working in a congressional office as a Legislative Assistant, Legislative Director, committee staff, or in a comparable role.
• Demonstrated understanding of the connection between federal, state, and local advocacy, with experience translating community-level priorities into effective federal advocacy strategies.
• Strong understanding of how Congress operates, including legislative strategy, committee processes, timing considerations, political dynamics, and the exercise of sound political judgment.
• Federal legislative experience, with the ability to adapt quickly across a range of policy areas, strategically navigate changing congressional priorities and emerging policy opportunities, respond effectively to shifting priorities and emerging issues, and a passion for learning new issues.
• Experience analyzing federal legislation and regulations; drafting and presenting policy materials such as issue briefs, comment letters, testimony, and formal statements; and translating policy analysis into actionable advocacy strategies.
• Proven ability to work in a non-partisan and inclusive manner, building trust and credibility with diverse stakeholders and facilitating collaboration on complex or sensitive issues.
• Preferred:
• Experience supporting or advancing federal legislation related to housing or transportation and the interest in learning broadband and other issues as assigned.
• AARP will not sponsor an employment visa for this position.
• Additional Requirements
• Regular and reliable job attendance.
Instructions:
Apply here
Other:
AARP is an equal opportunity employer committed to hiring a diverse workforce and sustaining an inclusive culture. AARP does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, sex, color, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, mental or physical disability, genetic information, veteran status, or on any other basis prohibited by applicable law.
