Better Markets is a highly influential, high-profile non-profit advocacy organization with an exciting and consequential mission: it fights for economic and social justice by advocating for a strong, resilient financial system that supports the productive economy and creates broad-based wealth. It has a team of highly experienced, substantive experts, including in securities, derivatives, and commodities, and is seeking a Director of Banking Policy to lead our banking policy work across the policymaking and rulemaking processes. While the portfolio is broad, it focuses primarily on the Federal Reserve System (“The Fed”), the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”), the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (“OCC”), and the Treasury. This position reports directly to the Policy Director and COO.
We recognize the importance of a vibrant, diverse, and strong financial and banking system and its critical role in supporting the economy and driving economic growth. Better Markets advocates for policies that focus on the largest financial institutions and on the many traditional banking activities that support the real economy and promote growth, jobs, and prosperity. We also seek financial stability policies that prevent financial crashes, contagion, and bailouts, focusing on ending “too-big-to-fail” as well as too-to-jail, -manage, -regulate, and -bail. While supporting the productive economy and broad based economic growth, our advocacy work serves as an important counterweight to the biggest Wall Street banks, finance more broadly, and the industry’s lobbying groups when they seek to prioritize profit maximization over the public interest.
Given the importance of banking and the financial markets to the well-being of all Americans, and the recent and ongoing changes at the Board and staff levels, this is an exciting time and a terrific opportunity to lead the fight for ensuring finance supports the real economy and people from all walks of life while protecting against future crises and taxpayer bailouts. Done right, this will help with capital formation and allocation, as well as broader wealth creation, and ideally reduce inequality and poverty. Our goal is nothing less than to make the American Dream available to everyone and ensure the economic and financial laws, rules, and regulations work for Main Street American families, workers, investors, and consumers.
The successful candidate will be a senior, experienced, and highly motivated professional with knowledge of banking and banking regulation who will engage in the ongoing rulemaking, regulatory and related processes, including but not limited to those arising from and related to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Closely monitor activities at the Fed, FDIC, OCC, and the Treasury as well as developments in the banking industry and other industries that affect the banking industry (e.g., FinTech, shadow banks, etc.).
- Develop strategic direction for banking portfolio as well as plans to execute.
- Perform detailed analyses of and identify problems or potential problems related to the banking and financial industry, while developing policy and regulatory recommendations.
- Conceptualize, research, and author comment letters, issue briefs, reports, and other products for a range of audiences.
- Participate in panels and other public discussions, as well as briefings with Congressional, regulatory, and Administration staff.
- Engage with reporters and the media on areas of expertise as appropriate.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s degree, preferably in finance, business administration, economics, or a related field. An advanced degree is preferable.
- Seven or more years of regulatory, Hill, administration or equivalent experience is highly desirable, but not necessary if the candidate has substantial market, financial or other directly related senior private sector experience.
- In-depth knowledge of banking regulations and law, including the Dodd-Frank Act.
- Extremely strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Proactive, self-directed workstyle.
- Ability to work in a fast-paced environment where juggling many activities is the norm.
- Strong team ethic.
ORGANIZATION OVERVIEW
Better Markets is a non-profit, non-partisan, and independent mission-driven organization founded in the wake of the devastating 2008 financial crisis to make sure that the interests of Main Street Americans are the priority in economic and financial policymaking in Washington, DC. Its foremost goals are to ensure that the laws and rules enacted and enforced in Washington, DC, prevent crashes and enable an economy that empowers all Americans to succeed and thrive, not just the wealthy and well-connected. That’s why Better Markets fights for a financial system that supports the real productive economy, which will produce broad-based wealth and rising living standards, making the American Dream available to everyone.
SALARY AND BENEFITS
The salary range starts at $250,000 and is dependent upon qualifications and experience. We offer an excellent benefits package including no-monthly-contribution health insurance (dental and vision included), short- and long-term disability, a 401(k) plan with a 5% annual employer contribution, tax-deferred flexible spending accounts, vacation and sick leave, family leave, a monthly home office allowance, and commuter benefits.
LOCATION
Better Markets’ office is located in downtown Washington, D.C., conveniently close to the Blue, Silver, and Orange line stations at Foggy Bottom and Farragut North. This is a hybrid position requiring both in-office and remote work. Candidates must be based in the Washington, D.C. area.
Better Markets is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, veteran status, or other non-work-related factors.
