Manager/Director of Business Development & Strategy

Washington, DC

Gravity  Research is looking for a Manager/Director of Business Development & Strategy (Government Affairs) to join our growing firm. This role offers the opportunity to join a nascent team within National Journal’s research business at a pivotal time, and to help build and scale that business from the ground up. We are looking for an entrepreneurial individual who is organized, persistent, and collaborative. 

This role reports directly to the Executive Director, Partnerships & Strategy. The Gravity Research revenue team offers ample opportunities for mentorship and development.

Gravity Research (part of National Journal)  is a premier research and insights company that helps organizations anticipate risk, spot opportunity, and rationalize reputational concerns against a backdrop of evolving public pressures. Best known as one of Washington’s most trusted media brands for nearly 50 years, National Journal’s footprint is  unmatched, with teams of specialists dedicated to government affairs, communications, and political research, in addition to exceptional journalism. 

What is the Gravity Research Revenue Team?

The Gravity Research revenue team is looking for a talented candidate to help our expanding team drive growth for our government affairs business. Our business is dedicated to equipping advocacy leaders with insights to support and supplement their key campaigns and top policy objectives. This position will coordinate closely with colleagues on both the Revenue and Research teams. 

Your responsibilities will include:

  • Collaborate with the Executive Director and Chief Revenue Officer on building and maintaining a sustainable new business pipeline, including guiding prospecting efforts and devising and running ongoing outreach campaigns to prospective clients.

  • Build and manage the top of the sales funnel, identifying qualified accounts and developing strategies for engaging them and maintaining organized records of your outreach activities. 

  • Regularly tracking market trends in relevant sectors and identifying creative ways to improve upon our service, including identifying opportunities to build greater thought leadership within the government affairs market. 

  • Partnering with the research team to understand trends across our current client base and  identify creative solutions to address prospective clients’ challenges.

  • Consistently attaining or exceeding revenue targets.

  • Exhibiting strong organizational and operational skills with a keen attention to detail.

Qualifications of the Ideal Candidate:

  • Deeply knowledgeable on, and well-connected within, the government affairs space. Specific industry expertise (particularly in healthcare/pharma  is a plus.

  • Strategic thinker with a creative, solutions-oriented approach to problem solving

  • Business minded individual with an “all hands on deck” mindset, willing to take on a variety of tasks as we build the business

  • Strong work ethic driven by intellectual curiosity and persistence

  • Ability to demonstrate poise and grace under pressure

  • Excellent written and oral communication skills

  • A self-starter, eager to deliver external and internal customer service

  • Organization and time management skills, with the ability to independently manage competing priorities and efficiently respond to urgent requests

  • Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college/university

  • Active contributor to a diverse and inclusive workplace


Employment Type: Full-time

Compensation: The salary range for this role is $70,000- $110,000 base, plus commission tied to business performance. Title and salary will be commensurate with experience. 

Remote Status: Hybrid work environment, based in Washington DC on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays


About Us

Across National Journal Group, generally, the firm looks for two “pillar gifts” in you, and everyone else.  In all of us, these are more aspirational than actual, but they are central in our intentions –

  • Force of Ideas:  At the center of National Journal Group work are the ideas within our writing.  We believe that ideas – to the good and not – have consequences.  Our highest work is bringing rigor, insight, intellectual honesty, to that ultimate purpose of separating the bad from the good, and giving voice to the latter.

  • Spirit of Generosity:  National Journal Group seeks in its ranks a spirit of generosity – a natural disposition in each colleague toward service and selfless conduct.  National Journal Group writing should be cut from the same cloth –critical on the merits but informed by charity and forbearance in measuring motive and personal character.

National Journal is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate against our applicants because of race, color, religion, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation, and pregnancy), national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable law.