New

Director of Public Affairs - US Federal

McKinsey & Company
parental leave, paid time off
United States, D.C., Washington
Apr 11, 2025
Communications Director of Public Affairs - US Federal Job ID: 96950 Do you want to work on complex and pressing challenges-the kind that bring together curious, ambitious, and determined leaders who strive to become better every day? If this sounds like you, you've come to the right place. Your Impact You will lead the development and execution of shaping the US Federal engagement function alongside reputation building and stakeholder engagement. While you will not be a registered lobbyist, your work will include cultivating and maintaining effective relationships on behalf of the firm with key US Federal leaders and their surrounding ecosystems in order to educate those individuals on the firm's value proposition. You will be a key contributor to a global public affairs strategy that is aligned with and supportive of McKinsey's organizational objectives. This includes establishing and nurturing of relationships with key opinion leaders, the effective positioning of McKinsey as a thought leader on emerging issues and educating internal and external partners on regulatory, legislative and political trends and threats. You will establish an operating plan with a budget, objectives, and key deliverables to achieve these goals. You will further serve as an ambassador, translating the McKinsey's global impact and unique insights into tangible information for US federal stakeholders, and representing the firm in key forums in the US, always keeping firm and client - not personal - interests at the forefront. In the context of team management and strategy, in addition to being a leader within the public affairs function, you will build strong relationships with McKinsey partners, practices, office leaders, and key functional leaders within the firm (i.e., Legal, Risk & Compliance, Reach & Engagement). You will counsel leadership and leverage their efforts for substantive contributions to the firm's reputation and mobilize other less tenured colleagues when appropriate. You will anticipate, identify, support and lead on mitigation of issues that could affect McKinsey's image, reputation, and market position, and assess the impact of these issues and manage incidents as they arise. Most importantly, you will enable a collaborative and inclusive environment to attract, retain, and develop a team while empowering individuals to be innovative and performance-driven through an agile team approach to ensure success. Your Growth You will help lead a group of global public affairs professionals in McKinsey's Washington, DC Office, who work to position the firm as a key knowledge partner for policymakers, foster robust relationships with these policymakers and stakeholders, and leverage our expertise to help navigate complex global challenges. Working closely with McKinsey's Head of Public Affairs, other senior leaders, and stakeholders across the firm, you will assess potential impacts of public policy issues and play a key role in developing and implementing comprehensive plans to protect and advance the firm's interests. You will partner with key organizational leaders, ensuring that they understand the evolving government and public policy landscape and that the appropriate people from the team are proactively involved in matters that could potentially affect the firm. Through partnership with senior leaders and stakeholders the team also works across firm functions where you will serve as a leader for your program and will drive the execution of best-in-class and inaugural political engagement program for our nearly century old institution. Our Public Affairs team is part of the firm's Reach and Engagement (R&E) function. Collectively, the colleagues in R&E help ensure that appropriate insights reach designated audiences, building awareness and engagement with McKinsey's distinctive knowledge on a variety of topics. They shape the way the firm connects with people-from clients to firm members to alumni-strengthening institutional relationships, connections, and affiliations. Your qualifications and skills Bachelor's/university degree required 15+ years' of professional experience, in a blend of settings, with an entrepreneurial approach, proactive storytelling and engagement skills, and reputations as savvy, substantive advocate and a results-oriented professional Substantial experience in government relations, public affairs and public policy, gained through a combination of government service experience and private sector roles Significant intellect, strategic capability, business acumen, relationship and influencing skills Deep, substantive and diverse networks and an outstanding ability to build relationships and use influence effectively in a variety of settings, both within the organization and with external constituencies, (e.g. public officials, trade associations, think tanks, etc.) Operating as a skilled diplomat you have a strong, positive executive presence and a proven ability to contribute to developing a comprehensive government affairs vision and strategic plan for an organization or company and then execute to deliver results, driving positive change and well as the ability to identify emerging issues and opportunities and to formulate appropriate strategies Strong interpersonal acumen that is necessary to deal with a broad range of individuals, backgrounds, and perspectives in a collaborative, strategic, and consensus-driven manner Ability to work in a heavily matrixed environment, including those within and outside the U.S.; strong influence and conflict management skills; ability to bring consensus around a common purpose and deliver the collaborative solutions that the matrix requires Skilled at advocacy, influence, and persuasion: able to convince others to act on information or recommendations based on compelling logic or common best interests Exceptional at reconciling conflicting priorities and coordinating different efforts within a fast-paced, influence-driven, and fluid operating environment; demonstrated comfort navigating ambiguity Superior organizational and project management skills; ability to execute with speed, high level of accuracy and efficiency, attention to detail, and follow-through Exceptional instinct for reputational risks and exercise outstanding judgement; ability to counsel internal stakeholders and help them achieve their objectives while also mitigating risks Proven track record of providing excellent leadership, driving accountability, and creating an environment for junior colleagues to thrive, learn, and progress in their careers to enable team psychological safety and inclusion, while being receptive to feedback Adherence to the highest professional standards and commitment to integration of core firm values in attitude and work (e.g., owning development, driving work, demonstrating resilience) Please review the additional requirements regarding essential job functions of McKinsey colleagues. Apply Now Apply Later FOR U.S. APPLICANTS: McKinsey & Company is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Certain US jurisdictions require McKinsey & Company to include a reasonable estimate of the salary for this role. For new joiners for this role in the United States, including all office locations where the job may be performed, a reasonable estimated range is $213,000 - $284,000 USD -to help you understand what you can expect. This reflects our best estimate of the lowest to highest [salary/hourly wages] for this role at the time of this posting, ensuring you have a clear picture right from the start, though it's important to remember that actual salaries may vary. Factors like your office location, your unique blend of experience and skills, start date and our current organizational needs all play a part in determining the final figure. Certain roles are also eligible for bonuses, subject to McKinsey's discretion and based on factors such as individual and/or organizational performance. Additionally, we provide a comprehensive benefits package that reflects our commitment to the wellness of our colleagues and their families. This includes medical, mental health, dental and vision coverage, telemedicine services, life, accident and disability insurance, parental leave and family planning benefits, caregiving resources, a generous retirement contributions program, financial guidance, and paid time off. FOR NON-U.S. APPLICANTS: McKinsey & Company is an Equal Opportunity employer. For additional details regarding our global EEO policy and diversity initiatives, please visit our McKinsey Careers and Diversity & Inclusion sites. Job Skill Group - CSSA Job Skill Code - DC - Director of Communications Function - Firm Administration;Risk & Resilience Industry - Public Sector Post to LinkedIn - Yes Posted to LinkedIn Date - Wed Apr 09 00:00:00 GMT 2025 LinkedIn Posting City - Washington DC LinkedIn Posting State/Province - Virginia LinkedIn Posting Country - United States LinkedIn Job Title - Director of Public Affairs - US Federal LinkedIn Function - Consulting;Public Relations LinkedIn Industry - Government Relations LinkedIn Seniority Level - Director