Associate Director of Government Affairs

The Associate Director of Government Affairs will be responsible for developing and implementing high impact, multifaceted, and complex advocacy campaigns to advance Western Resource Advocates and WRA Action Fund’s mission (referred to collectively as “WRA” in this job announcement). This position will involve working closely with WRA’s policy and marketing and communications staff, and senior leadership team to advance innovative legislative and administrative policy solutions critical to addressing the region’s most pressing climate change challenges. The position will focus on advancing climate and conservation policies across WRA’s three program areas. The ideal candidate for this role is a highly motivated strategic thinker who possesses sound judgment, strong decision-making skills, and political acumen. This position includes supervision of 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, sweating the details, creating evidence-based solutions, and holding decision makers accountable. This on the ground work with policymakers and other advocates advances clean energy, protects air, land, water, and wildlife—and sustains the lives and livelihoods of the West.

Location

The position can work remotely from the Phoenix or Tucson Metropolitan area, be based in WRA’s Phoenix office, or a hybrid remote and in-office setting.

Qualifications & Competencies

Any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential functions of this position will be considered. For example, the requisite experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities would include:

At least eight years of experience in a government affairs capacity for an elected official, government agency, private entity, and/or nonprofit advocacy organization is required.
A minimum of 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 experience 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.

Salary Range: $97,750 – 115,000 annually

Tagged as: Law/Policy