Federal Engagement Partner (Remote)

Who We Are: 

World Education Services (WES) is a non-profit social enterprise that supports the educational, economic, and social inclusion of immigrants, refugees, and international students. For 50 years, WES has set the standard for international academic credential evaluation, supporting millions of people as they seek to achieve their academic and professional goals. Through decades of experience as a leader in global education, WES has developed a wide range of tools to pursue social impact at scale. From evaluating academic credentials to shaping policy, designing programs, and providing philanthropic funding, we partner with a diverse set of organizations, leaders, and networks to uplift individuals and drive systems change. Together with its partners, WES enables people to learn, work, and thrive in new places. For more information about WES, please visit our website at www.WES.org.  

About the Opportunity:

The Federal Engagement Partner advances WES’s ideas, frameworks, and policy priorities across federal ecosystems under the leadership and strategic direction of the Lead, Strategic Influence and Engagement. This role builds and stewards relationships with federal policymakers, agency officials, congressional staff, national associations, think tanks, and aligned national coalitions.

The Federal Engagement Partner does not set policy direction. Instead, this role executes and informs engagement strategy in alignment with priorities established by the Lead and in close coordination with Policy & Practice Architecture. The role requires strong political judgment, comfort operating in dynamic federal environments, and the ability to navigate complex policy and institutional landscapes. This position, under the guidance of the Lead, will work very closely with Policy and Practice Architecture colleagues, other peers and leaders in the systems change teams, including Skills and Career Pathways.

What You'll Do: 

Federal Relationship Development & Stewardship (30%)

• Build and maintain trusted relationships with: federal agencies (e.g., DOL, ED, DHS, HHS, Commerce); Congressional offices and committees; national policy influencers and think tanks; and national advocacy coalitions and associations.
• Execute federal engagement strategies in partnership with the Lead.
• Maintain continuity and institutional memory across federal engagements.
• Identify and recommend emerging policy windows, federal champions, and institutional risks.
• Ensure federal-facing conversations reinforce long-term narrative coherence while remaining politically responsive.

Strategic Socialization (30%)

• Translate WES narrative, policy, and practice work into engagement-ready conversations, applying research-informed narrative frameworks when positioning WES’s work, tailored to federal audiences.
• Support senior leadership in congressional briefings, agency meetings, and national convenings.
• Ensure consistent representation of WES’s priorities across federal conversations.
• Strategically reinforce enabling immigration frames in institutional settings where narrative resistance may shape policy feasibility.

Engagement Planning & Execution (30%)

• Coordinate and support federal briefings, roundtables, agency consultations, and Hill meetings aligned with team priorities.
• Ensure engagements reflect research-informed narrative positioning and WES goals.
• Ensure availability and use of background materials and talking points in collaboration with team members, Department colleagues, and Communications.
• Track commitments, follow-ups, and next steps across federal engagements.
• Surface engagement outcomes and recommended next steps to the Lead.

Contextual Intelligence & Feedback (10%)

• Surface insights from federal actors about feasibility, political dynamics, regulatory constraints, and implementation realities as well as narrative trends, political sensitivities, and institutional framing patterns shaping federal decision-making.
• Develop and disseminate key intelligence to colleagues, Leads, Department Head, and other Departments and teams across WES that inform their decision making and ability to seize opportunities
• Provide regular feedback to the Lead to inform prioritization and sequencing.
• Contribute to refining positioning based on federal-level resonance and resistance.

Your Experience:

Required

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.
• 8-10 years of experience in federal policy, government relations, congressional affairs, national advocacy, or related fields.
• Demonstrated experience engaging federal agencies or Congress.
• Strong political judgment and comfort operating in complex federal environments.
• Highly skilled at representing an organization under senior leadership guidance.
• Proven track record of advancing stakeholder alignment toward shared goals.
• Exceptional analytical, communication (verbal and written), and collaboration skills.
• Excellent track record of building and maintaining strategic relationships and demonstrated success in leading system change work through partners and stakeholder
• Demonstrated ability working within ambiguous, dynamic and entrepreneurial environments and see each new challenge as an opportunity for change; be comfortable with risk and failure as a natural part of long-term success.
• Ability to build strong relationships and work with individuals at all levels of the organization; work collaboratively with people of different backgrounds, experiences, communication styles, and cultures towards collective goals.
• Thrive in an environment that values transparency, collaboration, and a learning orientation.
• Bring a “can-do” attitude and have a willingness to stretch up and down in their role as needs evolve.
• The candidate must be based in the Washington DC area   and able to travel no less than quarterly as needed, usually to NYC where WES maintains an office.

What We Offer:

Joining our team at WES means embarking on a purpose-driven career with a global impact, where you contribute daily to making a tangible difference in the lives of people worldwide. You'll thrive in an employee-centric environment, with access to learning opportunities, pathways for personal and professional development, and recognition of your achievements. Our inclusive, mission-driven culture values employees and focuses on investing in our people through our culture, people framework, and programming while offering the flexibility of remote work options.

• Work-Life Harmony: We believe that success is all about maintaining balance. Enjoy the freedom of remote work and flexible scheduling, paired with generous time-off policies designed to assist you in maintaining a healthy equilibrium between your personal and professional commitments. Our comprehensive wellness programs and work environment are focused on fostering your well-being.
• Rewards and Recognition: Your dedication and achievements are the cornerstone of our success. We recognize the importance of valuing your hard work, which is why we offer competitive compensation, comprehensive benefits, and tangible rewards to celebrate your contributions.
• Professional Growth and Development: We are committed to nurturing growth within our team, recognizing that growth is essential to providing opportunities for career advancement and ongoing professional development. To prioritize your learning and success, we invest in comprehensive training programs and offer tuition reimbursement opportunities. We promote a culture of continuous learning that empowers you to thrive and evolve in your career.
• Innovation and Impact: Engage in work that directly transforms lives and empowers individuals and communities by expanding access to global educational and professional pathways. Join us in fostering a culture that values innovation, embraces new approaches, and leverages transformation to implement and drive impactful change.
• Community and Connection: Our team is made up of individuals from different cultures and backgrounds who have varying perspectives and ideas. Our diverse workforce reflects the global community we serve, and we take pride in it. We are committed to fostering a workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and included. Experience the power of connection by participating in a range of activities, including employee-led resource groups, town halls, collaborative team events, meaningful volunteer opportunities, and initiatives that promote equity, celebrate diversity, and cultivate a strong sense of belonging within our organization.

Values:

• Opportunity - We open doors so people can build better futures.
• Inclusion - We become stronger, more creative, and more resilient when we embrace diversity.
• Equity - We uphold fairness and justice in our work and actions.
• Enterprising - We are resourceful, inventive, and driven.

Inclusive Recruitment Process:

We welcome all applicants, irrespective of their experience perfectly fitting the job description, as we value diverse and innovative viewpoints. At our organization, individuals who thrive in a culture of continuous learning and inclusive teamwork excel. We are committed to fostering an inclusive and accessible work environment where everyone feels valued, respected, and supported and welcome members of all backgrounds and perspectives to apply.

Our Commitment:

World Education Services is committed to fostering an inclusive workplace that reflects the rich tapestry of our communities, both in the US and Canada. This commitment is underscored by our unwavering dedication to providing equal opportunities to all qualified individuals, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or genetics. This commitment extends to every aspect of employment, from recruitment and hiring to promotions, training, and benefits. We comply with all applicable federal, state, and local anti-discrimination laws. For us, diversity goes beyond compliance – it's about embracing unique perspectives and cultivating an environment where everyone feels valued and empowered to reach their full potential. 

If you require assistance and/or accommodation at any point during the recruitment process, please contact us at [email protected], we're here to support you. Our Talent Acquisition team is happy to work with you to find solutions that meet your needs.

For more information about WES, please visit our website at www.WES.org

This position is an existing vacancy and is currently open for hire.