Senior Director, Government Relations

IMPORTANT:  This Advertiser has requested that applicants MUST be National Residents / Valid Work Permit-holders.  Other applicants need not apply.

 

The Senior Director for Government Relations is a key leadership position for The Wilderness Society and is part of the Conservation Department’s leadership team.  The position will oversee and manage a highly skilled, integrated Government Relations team in Washington, DC.  The Senior Director for Government Relations will be TWS’s senior representative on Capitol Hill, with the Administration, partner organizations and influential stakeholders in Washington, DC.  This position will work directly with the TWS President, TWS regional leaders, communications staff and others to advance the organization’s highest priority campaign work in Washington DC.  The position will be a liaison to the Green Group and will staff and support the TWS President in interactions with this group of national conservation organizations.   

The Senior Director for Government Relations will be critical to establishing and reinforcing a positive organizational culture that is grounded in trust, accountability to shared goals and outcomes, and which is campaign oriented, nimble, collaborative, innovative, adaptive, transparent, and supportive of staff – our greatest asset.  Staff management includes quarterly review of goals and outcomes and regular communication for the purpose of anticipating needs and concerns and addressing them as appropriate. The person in this leadership position will also work with program staff to help develop and advocate for pro-active policy outcomes for our major campaigns and other areas of work. Finally, the Senior Director for Government Relations will be called upon to assist in the organization’s integrated fundraising efforts as well as engaging with TWS’ Governing Council and President’s Council, as appropriate.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Manage a highly skilled, focused and advocacy oriented Government Relations team.

• Represent TWS with decision makers and their staff on Capitol Hill and with the Administration as well as in coalitions, with partner groups, and key stakeholders, as appropriate.  Engage TWS President in working with key decision makers.

• Coordinate closely with TWS campaign leaders, regional leaders, communications, policy and research staff to develop, implement and adapt (as needed) wildland designation and energy campaign goals, strategies and outcomes. 

• Ensure Government Relations team is integrated and focused on delivering on the organization’s priority campaign outcomes and TWS engagement with Members of Congress and the Administration is well coordinated both within and outside Washington, DC.

• Provide leadership to TWS as part of Conservation Department management team.

• Liaison to Green Group and support TWS President in engaging with this body.

• Coordinate briefing TWS President for all high level meetings with decisions makers or their staff on Capitol Hill and with the Administration.

• Continually asses political lay of the land and help TWS adapt campaigns to most effectively influence decision makers to achieve campaign outcomes.

• Support and instill campaign culture focused on shared TWS goals and accountability to outcomes.

• Prepare, or supervise the preparation of, policy memos, action alerts, briefing papers, public testimony, lobby materials and other written material.

• Engage with donors and support integrated fundraising, as needed.

• At the direction of the Vice President for Conservation or the President, acts as staff liaison to the Governing Council.

• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Experience, Competencies, and Education

• Bachelor’s degree, or its demonstrated equivalent, required. Relevant graduate work will be highly regarded.

• At least eight years of demonstrated experience working on legislative or other relevant advocacy campaigns.  Experience working on Capitol Hill or with the Administration will be highly regarded.

• Knowledge of wilderness and public lands issues and experience working on federal natural resource issues involving Congress, Federal natural resource agencies, and/or the White House.

• Deep understanding of working with Congress and the Administration and demonstrated success in engaging decision makers to achieve a policy outcome.

• Demonstrated experience in leading teams of highly skilled staff, including a track record for cultivating and retaining outstanding personnel.

• Ability to design and implement targeted, strategic campaigns in a highly complex, multi-layered, fast-paced environment.

• Excellent writing skills and the ability to speak effectively in public.

• Outstanding interpersonal skills and ability to work within and lead integrated teams. 

• Fundraising experience and interacting with donors strongly preferred.

Desired Characteristics

• A collaborative individual with strong intellect, creativity, flexibility, initiative, and a personal commitment to protecting wilderness.

• Superb organizational and interpersonal skills combined with the ability to maintain an effective and supportive working environment while prioritizing competing demands.

• Ability to manage complex, sometimes controversial issues, with professionalism and discretion.

• Effective communicator and listener, who brings a special blend of tact, political and diplomatic savvy to the position.

• A willingness to travel when needed.

The Wilderness Society offers a very competitive salary and benefits package, including: health, dental, vision, life and disability insurance; sick and vacation leave; and a pension plan. TWS is an equal opportunity employer and actively works to ensure fair and equal treatment of its employees and constituents regardless of culture, socioeconomic status, race, marital or family situation, gender, age, ethnicity, religious beliefs, physical ability, or sexual orientation.

For consideration, please submit cover letter and resume (upload as one attachment)  to: https://home.eease.adp.com/recruit/?id=4133031

- See more at: http://wilderness.org/article/senior-director-government-relations#sthash.XQV0nVOW.dpuf