Director of Government and Strategic Relations

Unbound Now is ending human trafficking by identifying victims, supporting survivors, seeking justice, and leading system change. We are motivated by our faith in Jesus and work each day as individuals driven by hope, oriented towards service, and committed to excellence. To learn more about our values, please read our Statement of Faith.
Job Title: Director of Government and Strategic Relations
Job Location: Austin, Texas (hybrid/remote) with regular travel
Job Status: Full-time, exempt
Job Summary: The Director of Government and Strategic Relations is Unbound Now's senior external-affairs leader, responsible for advancing the mission through relationships with government, quasi-government bodies, nonprofits, faith organizations, philanthropic partners, and the media. The Director serves as the CEO's trusted advisor on public policy and partnership strategy and represents the organization in legislative, regulatory, coalition, and public settings. This is an individual-contributor role that succeeds through influence, credibility, and coalition-building rather than managerial authority.
Compensation: Annual salary
Benefits: Unbound Now is proud to offer a premier benefits package that prioritizes the health and financial security of our team members and their families:
100% Employer-Paid Health Insurance: We cover 100% of medical premiums for both the employee and their family.
Employer-Paid Life Insurance: Fully covered for the employee at no cost.
Retirement Savings: 403(b) plan with a 3% salary match (eligible after 90 days; 1-year vesting).
Dental & Vision: Comprehensive plans available at the employee’s expense.
Schedule/Availability:
Generally, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday; occasional evenings and weekends. Anticipated 40–50 hours/week. Active on-site presence required.
Working conditions: Work is performed in standard office settings, partner agency facilities, and field environments. Work is primarily hybrid/remote, with mandatory on-site presence required for scheduled team meetings, executive briefings, stakeholder sessions, and during legislative demands in Austin. The role involves frequent travel, evening and weekend events, and a heavier workload during legislative sessions. The Director works with limited supervision and has no direct reports.
Travel: Position requires frequent travel throughout assigned service regions and multi-office footprints, as well as travel for required state/regional agency meetings, leadership retreats, professional development, or training. Official travel expenses and personal vehicle mileage are reimbursed through payroll via TripLog following organizational guidelines and IRS standard mileage rates. To ensure compliance with IRS accountable plan rules, the Director must submit contemporaneous weekly travel logs via TripLog detailing date, mileage, destination, and business purpose.
Job Responsibilities:
Government Relations
The Director leads the organization's engagement with federal, state, and local government.
Develop and execute an annual government relations strategy and policy agenda aligned with the organization's mission and priorities, in consultation with the CEO and board.
Build and maintain relationships with elected officials, government agency leaders, legislative and committee staff, governors' and mayors' offices, and county and municipal officials.
Monitor legislation, budgets, rulemaking, and appropriations at every level; analyze their impact and brief the CEO and leadership team in plain, actionable terms.
Prepare and deliver testimony, comments, position papers, fact sheets, and talking points; prepare the CEO and other leaders for hearings and official meetings.
Develop and advocate for annual legislative and budget priorities, including during legislative sessions, interim hearings, and agency stakeholder processes.
Pursue public funding, contracts, and policy partnerships where they advance the mission, working with program and finance leaders.
Ensure compliance with lobbying registration and reporting, gift and ethics rules, and restrictions on nonprofit political activity, coordinating with legal counsel as needed.
Strategic Relations
The Director builds the partnerships and public standing that extend the organization's reach and influence.
Quasi-governmental and public-private bodies: Represent the organization and support other Unbound Now leaders who represent the organization on commissions, task forces, advisory councils, and intergovernmental or public-private partnerships.
Nonprofits and coalitions: Cultivate peer organizations, trade and membership associations, and advocacy coalitions; join or lead coalitions and other mission-aligned groups where it advances shared goals.
Faith organizations: Develop and steward relationships with denominations, congregations, ministry networks, and faith leaders as partners, advocates, and supporters.
Philanthropy: Work with the CEO and development team to engage foundations, major donors, and corporate funders around policy and partnership priorities, including opportunities for joint funding.
Media: Build relationships with reporters, editors, and producers; serve as a spokesperson and subject-matter voice on policy issues; coordinate with communications staff on op-eds, interviews, and responses to breaking issues.
Strategy and reporting: Identify and represent us in emerging markets or potential expansion opportunities and risks; advise and build relationships in new markets that advance our mission and recommend partnership priorities, track relationship activity in the organization's CRM, and report regularly to the CEO on outcomes.
*This position description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee. The scope of the position may change as necessitated by organizational demands.
Working Relationships:
Reports to: Unbound Now CEO
Supervises: None
Works with: Executive Team, Development Team, Regional Directors and HQ staff
Education and Experience :
Required
Bachelor's degree and at least 10 years of progressive experience in government relations, public policy, advocacy, or a related field.

Employment type
Full-Time

Work arrangement
No