Salary Range
$97,750.00 – $115,000.00 Annually
Position Summary
The Associate Director of Government Affairs will develop and implement high‑impact, multifaceted, and complex advocacy campaigns to advance Western Resource Advocates and WRA Action Fund’s mission. The role collaborates with policy, marketing, and communications staff and senior leadership to advocate for legislative and administrative policy solutions addressing the West’s most pressing climate change challenges. The Associate Director will also supervise others on the Government Affairs team.
About Western Resource Advocates
WRA fights climate change and its impacts to sustain the environment, economy, and people of the West. Our team of policy experts, scientists, economists, and attorneys has a 30‑year history of working where decisions are made, creating evidence‑based solutions, and holding decision makers accountable.
Location
The position can work remotely from the Phoenix or Tucson Metropolitan area, be based in WRA’s Phoenix office, or be a hybrid remote and in‑office setting.
Responsibilities
- Lead the development and execution of strategic, multisector advocacy campaign plans to increase WRA’s influence in the state and with decision makers.
- Identify and prioritize the organization’s highest‑impact objectives and oversee the creation of campaign strategies to achieve wins across the various decision‑making venues in the state and region.
- Conduct evaluation of campaign effectiveness and progress through metrics and data analysis and use findings to inform updates to strategies and tactics.
- Grow WRA’s influence through strategic partnerships with state decision makers.
- Identify and manage effective coalitions of diverse partners in the state to advance WRA’s priorities.
- Identify, recruit, and organize a diverse group of opinion leaders in the state to engage with decision makers in support of WRA’s policies and positions.
- Manage and oversee contract lobbyists and other consultants retained by the Government Affairs department.
- Work collaboratively with WRA staff and contract lobbyists to develop and implement priority campaign plans for driving wins.
- In coordination with policy staff, read and analyze the potential impact of proposed legislation and administrative policies and respond accordingly.
- Effectively communicate complex policy concepts to a diverse set of audiences.
- Monitor and track relevant state and local policies, rules, and regulations.
- Travel frequently to the state capital during legislative sessions.
- Supervise government affairs managers, interns, fellows, and other Government Affairs staff members.
- Assist with hiring and training of government affairs managers, interns, fellows, and other Government Affairs staff.
- Provide constructive feedback and timely performance evaluations for direct reports.
Qualifications & Competencies
- At least eight years of experience in a government affairs capacity for an elected official, government agency, private entity, and/or nonprofit advocacy organization.
- Minimum five years of proven experience leading, developing and executing strategic government affairs, external affairs, communications, and/or advocacy campaigns.
- At least two years of experience supervising staff as well as managing consultants.
- Extensive understanding of relevant state politics and policy makers, especially as they relate to conservation and climate change policies.
- Substantial experience building and maintaining relationships with decision makers to advance policy objectives, including direct lobbying and advocacy.
- Substantial experience building coalitions with a diverse group of stakeholders to advance public policy objectives.
- Comfort and skill in communicating with a variety of constituencies and audiences.
- Excellent communication skills with the ability to persuade, influence, or lead others on complex subjects.
- Strong organizational and time‑management skills, with attention to detail and follow‑through.
- Strong interpersonal and relationship‑building skills.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience and knowledge centering equity in policy development.
- Existing relationships with decision makers and influencers in WRA’s region.
Working Environment and Physical Requirements
- A typical office environment with minimal exposure to excessive noise or adverse environmental issues.
- Prolonged periods of time at a desk and working on a computer.
- Position requires some travel by automobile, airplane, etc.
Travel Requirements
- Travel to meetings, conferences, and other work‑related events is required within the relevant state and specifically to the capital city.
- Additional travel required for retreats and other internal organizational meetings within WRA’s region (approximately 10% to 25% of the time, depending on the location of work).
Salary and Benefits
- Annual salary range: $97,750.00 – $115,000.00, dependent on experience.
- 401(k) retirement plan with up to 5% matching.
- Health, dental, vision, and life & disability insurance with 100% of premiums paid by WRA.
- Seventeen days paid vacation leave to start, twelve paid sick days, one paid volunteer day, twelve paid holidays, and additional paid time off during Winter Break between Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.
- Eligible for up to twelve weeks of parental leave; after five years, eligible for up to twelve weeks of paid sabbatical leave.
- Position is full‑time exempt.
Diversity and Inclusion
Diversity and inclusion are a critical component of our strategy, mission, and vision. We welcome candidates from an array of backgrounds and experiences to join our team and are committed to fostering an inclusive workplace.
Equal Opportunity Employer
WRA is an equal opportunity employer (EOE) and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, age, disability, marital status, amnesty, or veteran status.
#J-18808-Ljbffr