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IMPORTANT: This Advertiser has requested that applicants MUST be National Residents / Valid Work Permit-holders. Other applicants need not apply.
The Wilderness Society (TWS), a national non-profit organization whose mission is to protect wilderness and inspire Americans to care for our wild places, is seeking a full-time Sneior Managing Director to join its Government Relations team in Washington, DC. This highly visibnle posiiton requires the incumbent to be an experienced, connected leader and strong manager who can empower a talented team of government relations staff to meet their full potential and work in an integrated way to achieve TWS conservation goals across all of our program areas.
The successful candidate will be an experienced strategist who brings political savvy and fresh, creative thinking to achieving TWS conservation program goals. He/she will empower and supervise our Government Relations staff and ensure TWS develops and maintains strong relationships with key decisions makers. This will include representing TWS in high level meetings with Members of Congress and senior Administration officials
The Senior Managing Director will work directly with the TWS President, Vice President for Conservation, senior program directors and other staff and partners to advance the organization’s priorities in Washington, DC, including developing policy positons and designing smart political strategies to advance them. He/she will engage regularly with TWS’ Governing Council (Board) and assist in the organization’s integrated fundraising efforts as appropriate.
The Senior Managing Director will be critical to establishing and reinforcing an inclusive 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. TWS has made diversity, equity, and inclusion strategic priorities for the organization. He/she will lead the integration of these priorities throughout our national advocacy work, from expanding our partnerships to bringing an equity lens to all facets of Government Relations.
**This position is located in our Washington, DC office. No relocation expenses provided.**
Essential Duties & Responsibilities
- Supervise, manage and empower a highly skilled and results-oriented Government Relations team that is integrated within the organization and aligned to help achieve TWS goals.
- Design smart political strategies to achieve both offensive and defensive goals in the face of challenging national political dynamics; manage implementation of those strategies and ensure coordination across TWS.
- Work directly with TWS President and manage GR staff to develop and maintain relationships with federal decision makers; ensure TWS engagement with Members of Congress and the Administration is well coordinated both within and outside Washington, DC.
- Serve as partner to VP for Conservation and TWS senior program directors in developing the organization’s program goals.
- Play a leadership role in broadening TWS national partnerships with conservation and recreation groups, communities of color, and others.
- Marshall TWS’s policy expertise to develop policy positions and legislative solutions to challenging public lands issues.
- Stay abreast of national political trends and developments to inform TWS strategies and achieve campaign outcomes, including an increased focus on making public lands inclusive among communities of color, urban residents, and youth.
- Act as a national spokesperson for TWS when needed; collaborate with communications and program staff regarding messaging and timing of media opportunities.
- Engage with TWS Governing Council and donors and support integrated fundraising, as needed.
- Serve as member of Conservation Department’s leadership team.
- Other related duties as assigned.
Qualifications
Experience, Competencies, and Education
- At least ten years of experience in engaging decision makers to achieve a campaign or policy outcome.
- Deep understanding of working with Congress and the Administration.
- Ability to design and implement targeted, strategic campaigns in a highly complex, multi-layered, fast-paced environment.
- Knowledge of public lands policy issues will be highly regarded as well as an understanding of energy and climate change issues.
- Experience in leading and managing teams representing a rich mix of talent, backgrounds, and perspectives. This includes a track record of successful recruitment, cultivation and retention of highly skilled staff with racial and gender diversity.
- 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 including experience interacting directly with donors strongly preferred.
- Experience and demonstrated leadership integrating diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout organizational policies, practices, and culture preferred.
- Experience working on Capitol Hill or within the Administration a plus.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.
Desired Characteristics
- A collaborative leader with strong intellect, emotional intelligence, creativity, flexibility, initiative and a track record of working in a solution oriented manner.
- Superb organizational and interpersonal skills and self-awareness 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 in both public and private settings, 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 retirement 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, veteran status or sexual orientation.
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