They have a reputation for sharp federal insight and supportive colleagues, though tight grant deadlines can keep workloads consistently high. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., McAllister & Quinn operates in the government relations and grant consulting sector. Founded in 2004, the firm falls into the small-to-medium enterprise band with a specialized internal team backed by an expansive network of external consultants. They advise higher education institutions, healthcare organizations, and defense technology ventures navigating complex federal appropriations.
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About
McAllister & Quinn is a federal and foundation grants consulting and government relations firm headquartered in Washington, D.C. We offer our 160+ clients a unique blend of comprehensive grant consulting, strategic advising, and government relations services. Specifically, McAllister & Quinn provides our clients the knowledge and skills to seek federal and private foundation grant opportunities that strategically fit their organization’s priorities. We support our client’s efforts in crafting competitive applications; developing or increasing funding streams through the congressional appropriations process; and facilitating public-private and international partnerships that further their mission.
Transparent and accessible leadershipDeep exposure to federal appropriationsSupportive and collaborative colleaguesFlexible PTO policies
Why leave
Consistently long hours and tight deadlinesRelatively low compensation satisfactionLimited internal advancement opportunities
Company Pulse
In the News
Research Analyst - Higher Education job near me in Washington, District of Columbia at McAllister and Quinn LLC | Jobs and Employment | JobTargetjobtarget.com · Jul 30, 2026
Managing Director, Biotechnology job near me in Washington, District of Columbia at McAllister and Quinn LLC | Jobs and Employment | JobTargetjobtarget.com · May 29, 2026
McAllister and Quinn LLC - Managing Director of Federal Affairs & Government Relations - Defense & Advanced Technology Practicerecruiting.paylocity.com
Managing Director of Federal Affairs & Government Relations - Defense & Advanced Technology Practice job near me in Washington, District of Columbia at McAllister and Quinn LLC | Jobs and Employment | JobTargetjobtarget.com
Employee Experience
4.3/5
Career Opportunities
4.4
Compensation & Benefits
3.3
Culture & Values
4.3
Diversity & Inclusion
3.8
Senior Management
4.2
Work-Life Balance
4.2
Quick Take
Strengths
High leadership approvalLeadership scores are exceptionally high with a 100 percent approval rating for the managing partners.
Strong recommendation rateCurrent and former staff report a 92 percent recommend-to-a-friend rating.
Watch out
Compensation satisfaction gapCompensation and benefits scored 66 out of 100, lagging behind other cultural metrics.
Note
Specialized sector focusWork is heavily concentrated on federal appropriations, research grants, and policy consulting.
Things to consider
Demanding workload — Employees frequently report long hours, tight grant filing deadlines, and occasional 50-plus hour work weeks.
Lower compensation scores — Compensation and benefits receive a noticeably lower internal rating compared to the firm's strong culture marks.
Leadership
JM
John McAllisterManaging Partner
AQ
Andy QuinnManaging Partner
EW
Ed WilliamsChief Operating Officer
MC
Maeve ConnollySenior Vice President
JC
Jessica C. GerritySenior Vice President, Leader of the Higher Education Practice
KL
Kellianne LauerSenior Vice President
ER
Ellen RiddlebergerSenior Vice President
What They Build
McAllister & Quinn is a professional services consultancy rather than a software product company. Their work centers on strategic intelligence, legislative tracking, and technical grant proposal development for emerging technology and research clients. Technical engagements involve evaluating advanced R&D initiatives in defense, autonomous systems, and biotechnology.