Vice President, Government Affairs

National Parks Conservation Association

2d • Onsite

About The Position

National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) is the nation’s oldest and largest national parks nonprofit advocacy organization. NPCA has an exciting opening for the Vice President, Government Affairs to join our Government Affairs department.
Primary Purpose of the Position:
The Vice President of Government Affairs leads the department and works collaboratively to advance organizational legislative and administrative policy priorities. Working in close partnership with regional and conservation programs, this role ensures alignment between federal policy and on-the-ground priorities. The Vice President serves as a key member of the Executive Team and represents the organization externally with policymakers on Capitol Hill and in the administration, partners, and the media. The Vice President also leads the National Parks Action Fund, the organization’s affiliated 501(c)(4), overseeing its strategy, governance, and operations in alignment with organizational goals.

Requirements

• Minimum of nine to ten (9-10) years of specialized experience in environmental advocacy, non-profit management, park administration or planning or a related field.
• BA in government, environmental science or related field or experience.
• At least seven years of strong management skills leading and directing an experienced team, and proven ability to provide strategic advice in the design and implementation park advocacy programs.
• He or she should be experienced in the art of bringing forth an advocacy campaign or program and pursuing a substantive agenda in the legislative process.
• A proven and successful record in legislative policy, media relations, and staff management.
• Strategic Thinking
• Financial Acumen
• Management
• Leadership
• Excellent writing skills
• Effective communication, facilitation and presentation styles (one-on-one, small and large groups)
• Must be able to sit for long periods at a desk and operate a computer and other office equipment without difficulty.
• Position requires some travel both in-state and out-of-state.

Nice To Haves

• Law Degree or Masters degree in related field is highly desired.
• Previous experience managing advocates is desired.

Responsibilities

• Serve as an active member of the Executive Team, contributing to organizational vision, priorities, and goal setting.
• Provide leadership on cross-organizational initiatives and help address emerging organizational needs and opportunities.
• Work collaboratively with senior leadership to ensure alignment between government affairs strategies, issue team strategies, and broader organizational objectives.
• Help shape and implement NPCA’s strategic plan goals.
• Work with Program Leadership to co-manage the Board Program Committee, providing updates and strategic guidance.
• Lead, mentor and grow expertise in the Government Affairs Department, ensuring strong management, accountability, and performance across teams.
• Supervise and support a senior leadership team, fostering a culture of collaboration, inclusion, and high performance.
• Ensure effective coordination with regional and conservation program staff to align advocacy strategies and execution.
• With Program Leadership, set and drive policy priorities across legislative and administrative arenas to advance mission-focused outcomes.
• Ensure a strategic, targeted, and bipartisan approach to advancing key priorities.
• Build and maintain relationships with members of Congress, the Executive Branch, and key external stakeholders.
• Expand and mobilize networks of partners, coalitions, and advocates to support policy goals.
• In consultation with other organizational policy experts, oversees the development of high-quality policy products, including regulatory comments, rulemaking responses, congressional testimony and policy positions.
• With Program Leadership, ensure clear, compelling and consistent messaging across policy and advocacy materials and communications.
• Serve as a media spokesperson across print, radio, television, and digital channels.
• Oversee and ensure proper accounting of lobbying expenses and compliance with 501(c)(3) lobby laws.
• Partner with Development and Membership to support fundraising priorities
• Help position policy and advocacy work as a compelling investment for philanthropic support. Assist in drafting and/or editing cases for support for priority areas.
• With direction from gift officers and foundation leads, engage with donors and prospects and contribute to the development of individual major donor proposals and funding opportunities.
• Serve as Executive Director of the affiliated 501(c)(4) organization, overseeing strategy, operations, and compliance.

Benefits

• We offer a comprehensive and competitive benefits package for this role including a four-day, 32-hour work week, paid vacation leave, paid sick leave, paid holidays, health insurance, flexible spending account, dental insurance, life insurance, vision insurance, retirement benefits, short- and long-term disability, and paid sabbaticals for staff after seven years of service.

What This Job Offers

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