Policy Associate

The Nature Conservancy • Concord, NH

1d • $76,000 - $84,000

About The Position

What We Can Achieve Together: The Nature Conservancy in New Hampshire is seeking a motivated policy strategist and relationship builder who is eager to help develop and deliver high-impact conservation strategies that advance the Nature Conservancy’s mission in the Granite State and across the U.S. The Policy Associate serves as a liaison and informational contact between the organization, elected officials, state agencies and partner organizations. They are responsible for leading strategic policy initiatives that advance TNC’s science-driven goals for land and natural resource protection, freshwater and coastal restoration, and climate resilience. They will excel at building and sustaining relationships with internal staff, volunteers as well as key partners to achieve conservation outcomes. We’re Looking for You: The Policy Associate reports to the Deputy State Director and works to develop and execute collaborative and integrated policy and government relations strategies across conservation initiatives. Working with conservation practitioners across the organization, they will develop The Nature Conservancy in New Hampshire’s policy platform. They will build and facilitate internal and external networks to advance The Nature Conservancy’s policy priorities in New Hampshire and with the New Hampshire Congressional delegation. They will be a registered lobbyist in New Hampshire, working to influence the outcome of priority initiatives with state legislators, agency leadership and with local officials. They assure compliance with federal and state lobbing laws and regulations, and may manage contracts, interns and volunteers towards focused outcomes. The Policy Associate will have responsibility for developing works plans that align with organizational policy goals. They will evaluate outcomes and adjust priorities and strategies to ensure successful short-term, intermediate and long-lasting results. Working closely with the Deputy State Director on overall strategy and priority setting they will be responsible for financial management of the policy program budget and communicating the policy portfolio to organization leadership and staff. Communicate a clear and compelling vision for The Nature Conservancy in New Hampshire’s policy and government relations activities with both internal and external audiences. Ensure policy strategies in New Hampshire aligns with The Nature Conservancy’s Global, North American and regional priorities. Represent The Nature Conservancy and build effective relationships with key internal and external audiences, including Trustees, partners, government officials, community and opinion leaders. Ruthlessly prioritize and routinely assess risk, feasibility and impact of TNC’s policy program. Manage relationships with contractors and consultants in advancing priority strategies. Collaborate with internal conservation practitioners to identify and implement policy solutions that maximize impact. Be financially responsible for completing projects appropriately and lead budget development and management for policy. Ensure program compliance with internal policies and external requirements. Prepare program materials including issue briefs, legislative testimony, advocacy materials, presentations, memos, and other communications for both internal and external audiences. Work independently, working with supervisor as needed.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree and 3 years related experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Fluency in English.
• Experience researching information from divergent sources and compiling it into a cohesive reporting structure.
• Experience with legislative, planning, policy or corporate initiatives at two or more of the following levels: international, country, sub-national, or local.
• Experience presenting to and communicating with government or corporate staff and/or program leadership.
• Experience building relationships with and influencing decisions of partners/government agencies and the corporate sector.
• Ability to travel primarily within New Hampshire with a valid driver’s license, and be in person in Concord, NH routinely.

Nice To Haves

• Knowledge of current and evolving trends in conservation policy.
• Familiarity with public funding mechanisms and sources.
• Experience managing and leveraging complex projects and programs for larger-scale impact.
• Ability to understand, apply and leverage science for conservation policy impact.
• Capable and comfortable making timely, strategic decisions with incomplete information.
• Familiarity with social, economic and political conditions in New Hampshire and the Northeast.
• Political savvy with the ability to assess core concerns and values that drive action; ability to prioritize, negotiate and compromise towards the best possible outcome.
• Experience coordinating complex projects in a decentralized organization, working across teams, operating units and functions to achieve optimal results.
• Experience negotiating complex agreements and contracts.
• Self-starting, independent worker who can thrive in a decentralized organization with minimal oversight.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute collaborative and integrated policy and government relations strategies across conservation initiatives.
• Develop The Nature Conservancy in New Hampshire’s policy platform.
• Build and facilitate internal and external networks to advance The Nature Conservancy’s policy priorities in New Hampshire and with the New Hampshire Congressional delegation.
• Be a registered lobbyist in New Hampshire, working to influence the outcome of priority initiatives with state legislators, agency leadership and with local officials.
• Assure compliance with federal and state lobbing laws and regulations, and may manage contracts, interns and volunteers towards focused outcomes.
• Develop works plans that align with organizational policy goals.
• Evaluate outcomes and adjust priorities and strategies to ensure successful short-term, intermediate and long-lasting results.
• Responsible for financial management of the policy program budget and communicating the policy portfolio to organization leadership and staff.
• Communicate a clear and compelling vision for The Nature Conservancy in New Hampshire’s policy and government relations activities with both internal and external audiences.
• Ensure policy strategies in New Hampshire aligns with The Nature Conservancy’s Global, North American and regional priorities.
• Represent The Nature Conservancy and build effective relationships with key internal and external audiences, including Trustees, partners, government officials, community and opinion leaders.
• Ruthlessly prioritize and routinely assess risk, feasibility and impact of TNC’s policy program.
• Manage relationships with contractors and consultants in advancing priority strategies.
• Collaborate with internal conservation practitioners to identify and implement policy solutions that maximize impact.
• Be financially responsible for completing projects appropriately and lead budget development and management for policy.
• Ensure program compliance with internal policies and external requirements.
• Prepare program materials including issue briefs, legislative testimony, advocacy materials, presentations, memos, and other communications for both internal and external audiences.
• Work independently, working with supervisor as needed.

Benefits

• TNC offers a competitive, comprehensive benefits package including health care benefits, flexible spending accounts, a 401(k) plan with an 8% employer match, parental leave, accrued paid time off, life insurance, disability coverage, employee assistance program, other life and work well-being benefits.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level