NRDC is a non-profit environmental advocacy organization. We use law, science, and the support of 3.1 million members and online activists to protect the planet’s wildlife and wild places and to ensure the rights of all people to clean air, clean water, and healthy communities.
The Managing Director of Political Affairs’ principal responsibility is to lead the development, management, and cross-departmental coordination of the NRDC Action Fund’s electoral strategies and programs aimed at building the institution’s political influence in Washington and nationally while also overseeing the work and impact of the NRDC Action Votes. In addition, the Managing Director of Political Affairs will advise and help shape a limited number of NRDC Action Fund federal and state advocacy initiatives. Reporting to the Chief External Affairs Officer and also closely advising the Executive Director and the President and CEO, the Managing Director of Political Affairs plays a critical role in charting the NRDC Action Fund’s strategic direction and year-to-year priorities, while being an external leader in fundraising, coalition engagement, and board relations, and as a media spokesperson.
Responsibilities
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the following essential functions:
Leadership and Program Management
Lead a cross-department electoral program team of experienced communications, government affairs, campaigns, and development colleagues to design, manage, and communicate about the NRDC Action Fund, NRDC Action Fund PAC, and the NRDC Action Votes’ electoral programs to build the institution’s relationships with federal and state elected officials and to grow the institution’s brand and influence in Washington and nationally. These programs include:
Candidate endorsements.
Candidate fundraising through GiveGreen and PAC contributions.
Building up, soliciting, and making PAC contributions to promote institutional relationship-building with elected officials and candidates, in coordination with government affairs.
Electoral communications to members, voters, and the media, in coordination with Communications.
Voter education and Get-Out-The-Vote campaigns, in coordination with external partners and coalitions and candidate campaign committees, as legally appropriate.
Oversee and direct the NRDC Action Votes’ goals and approve its budget and spending to ensure their consistency with the NRDC Action Fund’s goals and strategies.
Be a partner to the Government Affairs, Campaigns, and Development teams in planning and executing grasstops advocacy programs.
Directly supervise 1-3 staff while leading a cross-functional, cross-department team as their matrix-manager and coordinator on electoral program development and implementation.
Board Relations
Work closely with the Board Relations team, executive leadership, and other departments to organize the Action Fund’s board meetings, including its agenda and programming. Partner with the Board Relations and Development teams to regularly engage the Action Fund’s board members to cultivate their support and sense of community.
External Relations:
Represent the NRDC Action Fund to electoral partners and coalitions.
Serve as one of the chief public faces and as the day-to-day managing authority of the NRDC Action Fund to candidates, elected officials, political donors, environmentally active NGOS, and the media.
Represent the NRDC Action Fund on the GiveGreen steering committee. Lead internal and external efforts to continue to grow the GiveGreen program and maximize its impact.
Demonstrate political expertise and become a trusted adviser to Action Fund donors and board members.
Strategic Planning
Be a central thought leader and programmatic voice in the development of the NRDC Action Fund’s next strategic plan, especially around long-term power-building through electoral activities, in close engagement with executive leaders, the electoral program team, and the Action Fund’s board members.
Budget and Fundraising:
Lead the development and management of the NRDC Action Fund and the NRDC Action Votes’ electoral program budget and in the institutional budget process.
Partner with development on a fundraising strategy to increase the number of donors and revenue for electoral programs by the Action Fund and the Action Votes.
Qualifications
Minimum Education and Experience:
15 or more years of experience in electoral politics and issue advocacy with proven cross-functional leadership ability demonstrated through senior roles held in campaigns, political committees, non-profit advocacy organizations, consulting firms, trade associations, etc.
At least two consecutive years of work experience at a large mission-driven advocacy organization.
Bachelor’s degree in a related field.
Skills, Abilities, Competencies, and Qualities:
Excellent verbal and written communication, advocacy, and social skills.
Experience with budgeting, management, and fundraising.
Reputation for consistently achieving goals by mastering process and building consensus.
A professional network across federal and state elected offices, political party committees and campaigns, major advocacy and political organizations, and donor networks.
Ability to build relationships, effectively collaborate, and engender trust from colleagues at all levels of institutional seniority.
Ability to handle complex and sensitive discussions and processes with diplomacy, confidentiality, and cultural sensitivity.
An adept project manager who can juggle multiple priorities and ambiguity.
Ability to commute to and work from the NRDC office at least eight times a month and additionally as needed.
Ability to travel for work outside of normal office operations approximately 20% annually.
Commitment to NRDC’s mission and values.
Ambition and growth mindset paired with methodical planning and patient discipline.
