The Consumer Federation of America is an association of non-profit consumer organizations that was established in 1968 to advance the consumer interest through research, advocacy, and education. Today, around 250 of these groups participate in the federation and govern it through their representatives on the organization’s Board of Directors.

CFA’s investor protection work seeks to ensure that the millions of Americans who rely on investments to fund their retirement or other life goals are entitled to a fair financial marketplace that provides:

• strong protections against fraud, manipulation, and harmful conflicts of interest;
• disclosures that are accurate, reliable, and understandable;
• transparency, accountability, and ethical practices within the financial services industry;
• effective recourse when they are victims of wrongdoing; and
• education to help them make informed financial decisions.

Responsibilities

• Advocate for strong investor protection policies before Congress, the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), the Department of Labor, and state securities regulators, among others.
• Monitor and analyze investment industry trends and practices, and regulatory developments.
• Serve as CFA spokesperson on investor protection issues and communicate policy positions to the press, policymakers, and the public.
• Generate, undertake, and oversee research and identify useful research from other credible sources.
• Lead and engage in dialogues with businesses and industry groups about investor issues.
• Lead and work in coalition with other advocates on investor protection issues.
• Work with CFA’s America Saves staff to develop educational tools to help investors navigate an increasingly complex marketplace.
• Manage current funding relationships and work with CFA’s Director of Development to identify new funding sources to support the investor protection work and the organization.

Advocacy

• Communicate CFA policy positions and build relationships with Members of Congress and regulators.
• Work with other members of the CFA team on overlapping issues.
• Produce content for legislative and regulatory efforts, including authoring and collaborating on comments on proposed legislation and regulation affecting investor protections.
• Organize and participate in meetings with stakeholders on investor issues.
• Maintain current coalition partner relationships and develop new coalitions with colleague organizations to promote pro-investor policies.

Research

• Develop and implement research projects to expose investor problems, promote solutions, and provide investor education.
• Identify research from credible sources to validate policy positions and inform advocacy and investor education efforts.

Press

• Work with CFA’s communications staff to implement a strategic communications plan regarding investor issues, which includes:
  • Preparing press releases and social media outreach promoting issues, exposing problems, and presenting research results.
  • Identifying and cultivating relationships with key reporters covering investor issues.
  • Participating in the development of overall communication strategies associated with investor issues.
  • Where appropriate, writing and publishing articles on the CFA website explaining and promoting CFA positions on pending investor policy matters.

Conference and Event Support

• Develop themes and sessions for CFA conferences and summits, inviting panelists and keynotes, and supporting conference planning efforts.
• Assist with program creation and execution of two annual conferences alongside CFA staff planning committees and the Director of Meetings and Events.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree in law, public policy, economics, or a related field preferred.
• At least 10 years of experience in securities regulation, financial services, consumer advocacy, or a related field.
• Strong knowledge of securities and retirement laws, financial markets, and legislative and regulatory processes.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and manage comments on proposed regulatory initiatives and regulations, as well as draft legislation and prepare for pending hearings on relevant topics.
• Effective communication skills, including written, interpersonal, and verbal.
• Excellent presentation skills.
• Experience working with nonprofit advocacy-oriented organizations.

Benefits

• 100% employer-paid health care, dental, vision, and long-term disability insurance.
• Three weeks paid vacation to start and three personal days.
• Federal holidays.
• Generous paid sick leave.
• 401(k) retirement plan with employer contribution.
• Hybrid position with two days in the office and three days work from home per week.
• Salary Range, depending on experience: $110,000 – $130,000.

Consumer Federation of America is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer and encourages applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, or veteran status, or to other non-work-related factors.

If you require reasonable accommodation in completing this application, interviewing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to: Katie McCann, 202-387-6121, kmccann@consumerfed.org.

Public Policy Internship

The Consumer Federation of America, a Washington, DC-based non-profit that works to advance the rights of consumers through research, advocacy and education, is seeking talented, motivated interns with an interest in food and product safety, consumer protection, and financial services.

Interns work with advocates to advance pro-consumer policy on a variety of issues before Congress, the White House, federal and state regulatory agencies, state legislatures, and the courts. They also assist with research to investigate consumer issues, such as high-cost credit, privacy, the safety of children’s products, and fish, meat and poultry inspection. CFA seeks applicants who are pursuing a graduate or law degree and who possess a high level of oral and written communication skills.

Based at the Consumer Federation of America’s office in Washington, DC, the internship is unpaid, though course credit can be given if the intern makes appropriate arrangements. In-city transportation stipends may be available. Full or part time.

Applications will be considered on a rolling basis. Start and end dates flexible.