Hybrid Director, Policy and Research Institute

at Bread for the World

• Job title: Director, Policy and Research Institute
• Job type: Full Time
• Experience level: Lead
• Salary: $140,000 - $150,000 per year
• Degree requirement: Professional Certificate
• Location requirements: Hybrid, Washington, United States

About the role

• Director leading policy and research efforts for Christian organization tackling global hunger issues. Overseeing advocacy, research, and compliance for Bread for the World in the D.C. area.

Responsibilities

• To provide leadership and direction for Bread’s domestic and global hunger policy analysis and advocacy, research, institutional outreach, grant-related fundraising, and PRI’s financial and personnel management.
• Provides thought leadership on domestic and global hunger issues, the development and prioritization of the organization’s public policy agenda, and the impact of public policies on communities disproportionately impacted by hunger and poverty, including historically marginalized communities based on race, gender, and class.
• Oversight of all aspects of the PRI’s work including research, analysis, institutional outreach, print and online publications, and related program activities.
• Directs PRI’s internal team and departmental functions, including their work with other Bread departments and serves as a lead in developing Bread’s policy agenda. This includes co-creation and management of a departmental (PRI) work plan and budget, individual staff work plans, an inter-departmental work plan and relevant grant proposal and budgets.
• Sustain supportive inter-departmental relationships with Directors and Executive Leadership to ensure collaborative decision making on grant proposals and budgets, sign-on decisions, advocacy messaging, and unison in Bread for the World’s external voice.
• Work collaboratively with Deputy Director on day-to-day needs of PRI staff, internship recruitment, interdepartmental liaising, and delegation of work and responsibilities as needed.
• Works with the President and CEO, Managing Director, Vice Presidents, and Program Directors in seeking grant funding; builds and maintains relationships with foundation staff, supports the development of proposals and manages program grants (when requested to do so) received by the organization.
• Provides intentional leadership for PRI staff, fostering a supportive, accountable, and inclusive work environment. This includes setting clear performance expectations, coaching and developing staff through regular feedback and professional development, supporting workload prioritization and delegation, and building team capacity to achieve individual, departmental, and organizational goals.
• Monitors PRI’s compliance with 501(c)3 and 501(c)4 status.
• Participates in Strategy Council (department directors) meetings.
• Prepares materials for and represents the department at Board meetings.
• Supports long-range and three-year strategic planning of the organization.
• Chairs internal work groups, integrated campaigns and performs other duties as requested by the Managing Director.
• Represents Bread for the World in key U.S. and global coalitions as needed to advance Bread’s policy change agenda.
• Builds and maintains relationships with key USG officials, policy organizations, think tanks, foundations, research and academic institutions, and civil society organizations.
• Serves as a spokesperson and representative of Bread in the media, at professional conferences, at partner events, and other public-facing engagements.
• Plays a convening role within the domestic anti-hunger and poverty community and in the international development community.

Requirements

• Professional or Advanced degree with minimum 10 years’ experience in a related field with progressively responsible work experience.
• Commitment to the mission and faith basis of Bread and the ability to communicate the case for supporting the organization’s mission.
• Demonstrated experience conducting and/or leading qualitative, quantitative, or mixed-methods research (short-term or long-term) related to one or more of the following topics on a domestic or global scale: hunger, poverty, nutrition, climate and environmental change, international financial institutions, international development assistance, or other relevant issue area.
• Deep understanding of domestic and international hunger and poverty issues.
• Strong understanding of racial and gender inequities exacerbating hunger and poverty rates and ability to communicate viable technical solutions to redress these inequities.
• Experience building coalitions to support policy advocacy goals.
• Strong network of contacts and relationships in the global and/or domestic hunger space.
• Experience managing and coaching a department or team demonstrating strong, collaborative management skills and the ability to work in a fast-paced environment on a multitude of issues simultaneously.
• Ability to seek and manage grants.
• Experience using Microsoft Suite tools for day-to-day management and communication (MS Outlook Email, PowerPoint, Word, and other programs)
• Experience using multi-modal communication and project management tools for day-to-day functions (Slack, Monday.com , or other platform), preferred
• Strong writing, editing and verbal communication skills, including ability to identify and engage target audiences and communicate complex ideas or issues tailored to the audience, using appropriate formats and media.
• Ability to communicate highly complex information at high- level meetings and to external contacts to influence results and achieve strategic goals related to Bread’s policy and advocacy priorities.
• Strong public speaker.
• Working knowledge of 501(c)3 and 501(c)4 regulations.
• Ability to work independently as performance and outcomes are monitored by executive leadership.
• Ability to formulate short-range and long-range policy recommendations that have significant impact, requiring consultation with organizational leaders and external partners to determine appropriate solutions.
• Experience approving decisions that commit financial and human resources to a course of action, which is subject to executive review.
• Personable, trustworthy, diplomatic, and perceived as such by colleagues and direct reports.
• Familiarity with Christian faith perspective and advocacy to end hunger desirable.

Benefits

• Must be responsive to emails and phone calls off-site during evenings, weekends, and holidays to support time-sensitive matters.
• This position is based in Washington, D.C. The incumbent will be required to work in-person from the D.C. office at least two days per week to include designated weekly "anchor" days. Anchor days as of January 2026 are Tuesdays. The designated weekly anchor day, as well as the number of in-person days per week, may be subject to change in keeping with Bread policies.
• Some domestic and international travel required.
• Bread is a hybrid organization.