President, Women's Congressional Policy Institute

President, Women’s Congressional Policy Institute 

The Women’s Congressional Policy Institute (WCPI) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan public policy organization with a mission to bring together a community of bipartisan women policymakers and trusted partners to advance issues of importance to women, develop the next generation of women leaders, and foster a more effective and representative democracy.

For nearly 30 years, WCPI has partnered with the Bipartisan Women’s Caucus. WCPI sponsors programming for Congresswomen and congressional staff, a congressional fellowship program, and policy briefings on Capitol Hill focused on key bipartisan women’s issues. The Weekly Legislative Update, a free digital publication, informs policymakers, corporate partners, and other interested parties about relevant legislative actions. The “Joint Session” program strengthens relationships and advances professional development among women chiefs of staff, committee staff directors, and other senior staff leadership.

WCPI’s Congressional Fellowship on Women and Public Policy program develops next generation public policy leadership through paid fellowships for graduate students in congressional offices. WCPI’s own internship program provides hands-on, paid opportunities for undergraduate students in policy, communications, and advocacy roles. 

WCPI’s board, staff, programs, and events reflect a goal to empower voices that are often underrepresented in public policy dialogues and create a culture of mutual respect and shared success among women policy leaders. Learn more at www.wcpinst.org. 

Leadership Opportunity

The WCPI Board of Directors seeks a dynamic President to advance the organization’s influence, resources, and support as a nonpartisan partner to women Congressional leaders and their staff, while informing trusted partners about critical legislative issues impacting women. The incoming President will deliver an inspiring vision that increases WCPI’s visibility and impact, raises awareness of its programs, and attracts increased philanthropic support. The President is WCPI’s chief executive, and as the leader of a small team, serves as an external presence with internal operational responsibilities.

The next President will take the helm from President Cindy Hall, who is retiring after leading WCPI for 25 years. The President reports to a seven-member Board of Directors and oversees a four-person team. The organization’s budget is just under $1M and is supported by a mix of corporate, foundation, and individual support. 

The successful candidate will steward inclusive and bipartisan collaborations with key external stakeholders. They will advance WCPI’s vision and mission by building upon signature programs, while ensuring its continued value and relevance. Key responsibilities include:

Strategy, Vision, and Leadership 

• Set an inspiring vision for WCPI that amplifies the importance of women’s leadership in bipartisan public policy spaces. 
• Direct the ideation and implementation of WCPI programming. 
• Lead an efficient, professional, and effective team of staff and interns. 
• Provide guidance and support to the Board of Directors.
• Identify innovative partnerships that advance WCPI’s mission, influence, and reach. 
• Advance inclusive and equitable programs, policies, and operations. 

Advocacy, Fundraising, and External Affairs

• Serve as WCPI’s principal spokesperson, representing its events, programs, and issue areas interests to federal partners, legislators, funders, and various publics. 
• Cultivate and maintain collaborative partnerships with external stakeholders, including Congresswomen and senior congressional staff, corporate contacts, and advocates.
• Guide external communications strategies that elevate the impact and visibility of WCPI.
• Develop, steward, and fulfill relationships with funders, donors, and sponsors.

Operational Management

• Set annual revenue goals with the staff and Board. Provide strategic leadership in maintaining, diversifying, and growing revenue through dues, events, services, and grants. 
• Oversee budget preparation, monitor income and expenditures, develop long-range cash flow projections and analysis, and provide the Board with regular financial reports. 
• Ensure the effective administration of operations, IT, office space, human resources, and financial management. Serve as a signatory on all notes and contracts.
• Ensure compliance with bylaws, state and federal guidance, and grant agreements. 
• Envision and plan future investments in systems, processes, tools, and technologies. 

Experiences, Skills, and Qualities

The most competitive applicants will likely have many, if not all, of the following attributes:

• Prior leadership experience within workplace settings of similar size and complexity. 
• Commitment to a collaborative and nonpartisan approach to achieving WCPI’s mission. 
• Experience working with or on Capitol Hill.. A record of facilitating bipartisan relationships and working across party lines to advance policy objectives is highly preferred. 
• Capacity to lead a small organization with limited staff and financial resources. 
• Strong financial and fundraising acumen.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills. 
• Exposure to organizational management practices, including budgeting and forecasting, financial management, human resources, contracts, and legal compliance. 
• Personal characteristics of integrity, accountability, discretion, and persistence. Demonstrates working with individuals from diverse perspectives and backgrounds, including across race, age, gender, geography, and political affiliation.
• Past work with or serving on a nonprofit board. 

Location

WCPI operates with a hybrid work environment in southwest Washington, DC, and. The Board seeks a President based in the DC region to facilitate relationships with Congressional partners. 

Compensation

The Board of Directors is currently budgeting compensation in the range of $175,000 - $200,000 with a performance bonus structure. WCPI offers a generous benefits package including health insurance, a retirement plan with employer contributions, and paid time off.  

Application Process

WCPI has retained Good Insight, a national executive search firm serving nonprofits, to conduct this search. See the full profile and application information at good-insight.org/careers. Resume reviews begin immediately. For best consideration, please apply by late October 2024. Early applications are encouraged due to the pace of the search.