Senior Policy Director

Job posted by: Washington Wildlife and Recreation Coalition

Posted on: October 19, 2015

Job description

The Coalition is hiring a dynamic leader with excellent interpersonal skills, experience building strong partnerships and a proven track record of success with recreation and conservation issues. He or she will have proven success as an advocate and be selfdirected, motivated, and innovative.

The Senior Policy Director will develop strategy and implement a statewide campaign to ensure state and federal funding for parks, trails, wildlife habitat and working farms and forests. Leading a team of motivated individuals, the Senior Policy Director is the leading expert on conservation and recreation funding issues and will work with Coalition staff and partner organizations to develop strategies that influence decisionmaking and policy at the state and
federal level.

Responsibilities:

  • Develop strategy and direct advocacy, government affairs and communications campaigns as they relate to the Coalition’s mission of ensuring robust funding for our great outdoors by unifying disparate voices
  • Manage policy department including 3 FTEs (2 policy associates, and a marketing and communications associate), 2 contract lobbyists, and volunteer interns
  • Monitor and analyze the political landscape to determine programmatic goals and adjust priorities appropriately
  • Propose and execute major issue positions and strategy to the Executive Director, State Policy committee and full Board of Directors for consideration
  • Advocate and lobby elected officials at the federal and state levels on priority issues
  • Proactively identify and engage strategic partners
  • Build and maintain our strong coalition of disparate interests, including a broad range of organizations, elected officials, agencies and community leaders
  • Create and manage media campaign; identify media opportunities, coordinate editorial board meetings, place opeds and letters to the editor, and act as a spokesperson on relevant issues
  • Collaborate with fund development staff to identify, cultivate and secure financial resources
  • Plan, coordinate and implement program events including tours with elected officials, lobby day, roundtables and receptions
  • Staff the State Policy Committee and other work groups
  • Complete and manage annual work plan and program budget
  • Other duties as assigned

Qualifications:

  • At least five years of progressively responsible experience in issue advocacy, legislative affairs, and/or political or legislative campaigns
  • Demonstrated leadership in working on collaborative projects that involve multiple organizations, teambuilding, program development and member engagement
  • Demonstrated management experience
  • Sophisticated knowledge of government affairs and processes related to achieving policy change
  • Strong interpersonal and communications skills and the ability to communicate complex ideas clearly and effectively when writing and speaking
  • Demonstrated success in fundraising from individuals, foundations and corporations
  • Demonstrated experience in event planning and coordination
  • Ability to multitask and manage many projects simultaneously with scrupulous attention to detail
  • Ability to handle confidential and sensitive matters professionally
  • Willingness to travel on occasion and attend evening meetings.

How to apply

To Apply
Send a cover letter, resume, writing sample and three references to info@wildliferecreation.org.

Reference the job title “Senior Policy Director” in the subject line. Position is available immediately. Resumes will be accepted until the position is filled.