Senior Government Affairs Manager

Western Resource Advocates • Reno, NV

2d • $90,950 - $107,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Senior Government Affairs Manager will be responsible for leading Western Resource Advocates and WRA Action Fund’s (referred to collectively as “WRA” in this job description) legislative, regulatory, and administrative advocacy efforts in the relevant state. This position will involve working closely with WRA’s program and marketing and communications staff to advance innovative legislative and administrative policy solutions critical to addressing the state’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 may include supervision of others on the Government Affairs team.

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.

Requirements

• At least seven 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 four years of proven experience leading, developing and executing strategic government affairs, external affairs, communications, and/or advocacy campaigns.
• Experience managing consultants and providing guidance and support to fellow team members.
• 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 WRA’s policy objectives.
• Broad experience building coalitions with a diverse group of stakeholders to advance WRA’s 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.

Nice To Haves

• Experience lobbying or advocating with decision makers.
• Experience and knowledge centering equity in policy development.
• Existing relationships with decision makers and influencers in WRA’s region.

Responsibilities

• Lead WRA’s government affairs work in the state and work collaboratively with program and communications staff to develop and implement public policy advocacy efforts with legislative and administrative decision makers in Nevada.
• Lead in prioritizing and planning activities and campaigns to advance policies in multiple decision-making forums including, but not limited to the State Legislature, regulatory decision-making bodies, etc.
• Partner with WRA program leaders and other WRA staff and contract lobbyists to develop legislative and other decision-maker targets to inform advocacy campaign planning.
• Partner with WRA team members, consultants, and partners to develop plans that advance WRA's objectives.
• Coordinate with WRA’s policy and marketing and communications staff to craft communications strategies and messaging that accurately and persuasively convey WRA’s advocacy positions to stakeholders and decision makers.
• Serve as WRA’s senior liaison with elected leaders and other decision-makers in the state.
• Identify and manage effective coalitions of diverse partners in the region to advance WRA’s priorities
• In coordination with program staff, read and analyze the potential impact of proposed legislation and administrative policies with little guidance or direction.
• Identify, recruit, and organize a diverse group of opinion leaders in the state to engage with decisionmakers in support of WRA’s policies and positions
• Manages and oversees contract lobbyist and other consultants retained by Government Affairs department.
• Effectively communicate complex policy concepts to a diverse set of audiences.
• Monitor and track relevant state and local policies, rules, and regulations.
• Frequent travel to state capital during legislative session.

Benefits

• 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
• WRA is closed for Winter Break between Christmas Day and New Year’s Day for additional paid time off.
• up to twelve weeks of parental leave
• after five years, staff are eligible for up to twelve weeks of paid sabbatical leave.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: No Education Listed