Position Summary

The Senior Policy Manager plays a critical role in advancing INSA’s thought leadership and policy initiatives. This position leads and coordinates policy councils and projects, cultivates relationships with key stakeholders, and produces timely, actionable policy content that informs and strengthens the intelligence and national security community. This position reports to the Director, Communications and Policy.

Key Responsibilities

Thought Leadership and Policy Development

• Lead the development of high-impact policy outputs, including white papers, issue briefs, and op-eds, in collaboration with INSA councils, subject matter experts, and leadership.
• Identify and monitor emerging trends to shape INSA’s policy priorities and council workplans.
• Draft policy-related communications, including press releases, member updates, and digital content.

Council and Program Management

• Serve as the primary staff lead for at least two policy councils or working groups, facilitating meetings and guiding annual workplans and deliverables.
• Ensure councils produce meaningful outputs (e.g., white papers, OpEds) that align with INSA’s mission and member interests.
• Propose and develop policy program themes and recommend initiatives that advance INSA’s thought leadership and association goals.

Stakeholder and Partner Engagement

• Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with stakeholders across the public, private, academic, and legislative sectors.
• Lead outreach to congressional staff, executive branch agencies, and other external audiences as appropriate.
• Identify and engage speakers and subject matter experts for policy panels, roundtables, webinars, and related events.

Sponsorship and Development Collaboration

• Collaborate with INSA’s Vice President for Development to identify potential policy program sponsors and help craft compelling sponsorship value propositions.

Team and Board Support

• Prepare briefing materials, policy updates, and deliver presentations to INSA’s Board of Directors and Advisory Committee; support Board-related policy initiatives as assigned.

Other Duties

• Perform additional tasks as assigned by the Executive Vice President, including supporting projects for INSA’s 501(c)(3) nonprofit, the Intelligence and National Security Foundation.

Qualifications

• A minimum of 10 years relevant experience in intelligence, defense, national security, or related fields.
• Demonstrated experience with congressional operations and legislative engagement.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a proven ability to produce clear, persuasive policy content.
• Strong interpersonal and collaboration skills; demonstrated ability to build and maintain relationships across government, industry, and academia.
• Excellent research and analytical skills; able to translate complex issues into actionable recommendations.
• Proven experience managing projects and coordinating with multiple stakeholders.
• Experience planning or supporting policy-focused events, briefings, webinars, or programs.
• Must be a U.S. citizen and have or be eligible for a TS/SCI security clearance.

Salary Details

INSA offers competitive salaries and an excellent working environment and benefits package, including a performance-based bonus, 100% employer-paid healthcare premiums, matching 401(k) contributions, on-site gym access, free parking, and more. INSA operates in a hybrid work model with up to three days per week in person at our Arlington office. Attendance at approximately 15 evening events each year is required.

To apply, please submit a cover letter and resume to jobs@insaonline.org no later than Friday, August 15, 2025.

About Intelligence and National Security Alliance

The Intelligence and National Security Alliance (INSA) is the leading nonpartisan, nonprofit membership association dedicated to advancing public-private collaboration and thought leadership within the U.S. intelligence and national security community. INSA brings together experts and leaders from government, industry, and academia to develop practical solutions to complex national security challenges. Read more about our organization at insaonline.org.

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