We are the leading provider of professional services to the middle market globally, our purpose is to instill confidence in a world of change, empowering our clients and people to realize their full potential. Our exceptional people are the key to our unrivaled, culture and talent experience and our ability to be compelling to our clients. You’ll find an environment that inspires and empowers you to thrive both personally and professionally. There’s no one like you and that’s why there’s nowhere like RSM.
The Deputy Government Relations Leader serves as the second-in-command within the Public Policy and Government Affairs (PPGA) office and is responsible for supporting the development and execution of the firm’s public policy and government affairs strategy. This role serves as a key liaison between the firm and federal, state, and local government stakeholders, while advancing policy priorities that support RSM’s business objectives and the modern middle market.
The Deputy Leader partners closely with the PPGA Leader, firm leadership, and lines of business to monitor legislative and regulatory developments, provide actionable insights, and drive strategic engagement with policymakers, regulators, and industry associations. This role also supports thought leadership, advocacy efforts, and the management of external lobbying resources.
Strategy Execution & Operational Leadership
Support the development and execution of RSM’s government relations strategy aligned with firm priorities
Monitor, analyze, and interpret legislative and regulatory developments impacting RSM and its clients
Provide timely, actionable policy insights to support client service, business development, and go-to-market strategies
Advocate for policies that support the middle market, professional standards, and innovation in assurance, tax, and consulting
Ensure compliance with independence requirements, including restrictions related to attest clients
Stakeholder Leadership & Engagement
Build and maintain strong relationships with members of Congress, congressional staff, and Executive Branch officials
Represent RSM in industry associations and coalitions (e.g., AICPA, Center for Audit Quality, National Association of Manufacturers, U.S. Chamber of Commerce)
Serve as a key external representative of the firm in public policy discussions and forums
Ensure consistent and coordinated engagement across all external touchpoints
Internal Integration & Business Alignment
Partner with line of business, industry, risk, and communications leaders to align public policy strategy with firm objectives
Partner with firm leadership to translate policy developments into business impact and client opportunities
Standardize how policy intelligence is delivered and utilized across the firm to support client engagement by equipping teams with relevant policy intelligence
Thought Leadership & Communication
Contribute to positioning RSM as a leading advisor to the modern middle market through policy-focused insights and commentary
Support the development of position papers, comment letters, testimony, and policy briefs
Assist in preparing executives for advocacy engagements and public-facing opportunities
Team Leadership & Functional Management
Support the PPGA Leader in building and managing the firm’s government relations function
Assist in oversight and coordination of external lobbying firms and consultants in partnership with legal and compliance teams ensuring alignment and performance, including deliverables and ROI
Contribute to internal processes, reporting, and operational effectiveness of the PPGA function
Risk Management & Compliance
Align public policy activities with firm risk management, independence, and compliance priorities and regulatory requirements
Collaborate with internal stakeholders (e.g., ORM, GCO, Audit Practice National Office, Office of Audit Quality) to ensure compliance
Maintain adherence to lobbying laws, reporting requirements, and ethical standards
Minimum Requirements
Bachelor’s degree required
12–15+ years of progressive leadership experience in federal policy development, government affairs
Significant experience in senior Capitol Hill roles (e.g., Chief of Staff, Legislative Director, Policy Director) or equivalent
Demonstrated strong relationships with Members of Congress, committees, and key staff
Deep understanding of the federal legislative and regulatory process, including rulemaking and committee procedures
Strong network within government, trade associations, and policy organizations
Proven ability to analyze policy impacts and develop policy positions, briefs, and commentary
Knowledge of lobbying laws, compliance requirements, and ethical standards
Excellent communication, interpersonal, and stakeholder management skills
Ability to collaborate across functions and influence senior leadership
Preferred Requirements
Advanced degree (e.g., JD, MPP, MBA, or related field)
Experience working with key congressional committees such as:
Senate Banking
House Financial Services
Senate Finance
Ways and Means
Appropriations or Budget Committees
Experience supporting or advising leadership roles within Congress or major policy organizations
Prior experience in professional services, financial services, or regulatory environments
At RSM, we offer a competitive benefits and compensation package for all our people. We offer flexibility in your schedule, empowering you to balance life’s demands, while also maintaining your ability to serve clients. Learn more about our total rewards at https://rsmus.com/careers/working-at-rsm/benefits.
All applicants will receive consideration for employment as RSM does not tolerate discrimination and/or harassment based on race; color; creed; sincerely held religious beliefs, practices or observances; sex (including pregnancy or disabilities related to nursing); gender; sexual orientation; HIV Status; national origin; ancestry; familial or marital status; age; physical or mental disability; citizenship; political affiliation; medical condition (including family and medical leave); domestic violence victim status; past, current or prospective service in the US uniformed service; US Military/Veteran status; pre-disposing genetic characteristics or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state or local law.
Accommodation for applicants with disabilities is available upon request in connection with the recruitment process and/or employment/partnership. RSM is committed to providing equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation for people with disabilities. If you require a reasonable accommodation to complete an application, interview, or otherwise participate in the recruiting process, please call us at 800-274-3978 or send us an email at careers@rsmus.com.
RSM will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records. For those living in California or applying to a position in California, please click here for additional information.
About
RSM is a global network of assurance, tax, and consulting experts with a significant presence worldwide. It boasts offices in over 120 countries and has a team of 57,000 professionals, emphasizing a client-centric approach deeply rooted in understanding the specific needs of each business. This approach enables RSM to empower clients to move forward confidently and realize their full potential. The firm offers a range of services, including audit and assurance, consulting, tax, risk advisory, IFRS, restructuring, transaction, and business and financial advisory solutions. They also provide specialized services like wealth management, IT consulting, legal advisory, forensic accounting, and human resource consulting. Their focus is on instilling confidence in a world of change, ensuring they provide more than just expert advice - they deliver a unique experience of being understood and supported through various business challenges and opportunities.
RSM US LLP, a member of the global RSM network, particularly focuses on the middle market in the United States and Canada. It stands as the fifth-largest accounting firm in the United States. Founded in 1926 by Ira B. McGladrey, the firm has grown significantly over the years, employing more than 17,000 professionals across 93 cities in the U.S. and Canada, with additional offices in India and El Salvador. Headquartered in Chicago, RSM US offers a wide range of services, including audit, tax, management consulting, risk advisory, technology consulting, and financial advisory services. The firm's history is marked by significant mergers and strategic shifts, including its separation from H&R Block and the subsequent reunification of its two entities, McGladrey & Pullen and RSM McGladrey. In 2015, the firm rebranded from McGladrey to RSM US LLP as part of a global rebranding initiative.
Military Support
Our VALOR (Veterans and Allies Leading Outreach) employee network group (ENG) encourages the recruitment, retention and success of veterans, active/reserve military members and their families within RSM and local communities. VALOR provides many resources to support the development of these individuals, while leveraging their skill sets to serve our clients.
VALOR supports and promotes advocacy for its members in their RSM and military aspirations. Members keep one another apprised of news and opportunities, and support employees still serving in the military when they’re deployed. VALOR supports local, regional and national activities to provide professional development, leadership skills, networking, business development and more to its members.
Commitment to inclusion:
We devote a full-time team exclusively to our culture of inclusion efforts to drive inclusion with our people, clients and the community. In addition, thousands of our people devote time to related internal initiatives, as well as to marketplace and community programs.
At RSM, we believe inclusion starts with “I.” This means each individual at RSM is committed to advancing racial understanding and inclusion across the firm and within our communities. To support our activities, we are sharing our internal resources for the benefit of our clients and others who want to drive meaningful change and create a more equitable future.
At RSM, we're all about a Power of Being You culture where each of us can bring our authentic selves to work each day. Understanding is at the core of our brand and it starts by understanding our people and their unique talents and aspirations. And when we all bring our individual talents and insights together, it strengthens our teams and enhances the insights we can provide to our clients. That’s the power of being understood, that’s the power of being you and that's one of the many reasons we champion an inclusive workplace.
Internships and RSM Excellence Academy
At RSM, you’ll be valued as an individual while interning with our firm. We recognize your accomplishments and unique potential, and mentor you as a future leader. By working directly with RSM professionals and leaders, you’ll move quickly along the learning curve to jump-start your career in accounting, consulting, or another part of the business.
Internships include orientation and training where interns will be prepared to work in client service through a combination of formal and informal training. Interns will recieve hands on expereince working with a variety of clients, while teaming up with RSM colleagues and leaders. RSM will provide interns with lunch-and-learn workshops, sporting events, and community service projects. Interns will gather with thier peers and co-workers to develop both personally and professionally. Interns ill be paired with both a navigator and a career advisor to help transition into their new role. The navigator is a peer aligned with you to help with questions. The career advisor ensures your experience meets your expectations and that you’re doing the right things to work toward that job offer.
The RSM Excellence Academy consists of a three-day summer leadership conference with a stipend and the opportunity to participate in an internship with RSM during the following summer. The Excellence Academy is open to all qualified students who are three years from graduation. The Excellence Academy is designed to align with RSM’s strategic pillar of driving an unrivaled, inclusive culture and talent experience. We recognize efforts of inclusivity and intend to develop outstanding business, accounting, and technology students for internships and full-time employment. Participants will have an opportunity to build relationships that will assist them in their educational and career development. We hope that this experience will provide students with an overall understanding of the professional services industry, RSM’s culture and the advantages of working in the middle market.