Vice President, Government Relations

DEFENDERS OF WILDLIFE

POSITION DESCRIPTION

JOB TITLE: Vice President, Government Relations

SALARY: $195,000 - $210,000

FLSA: Exempt

DEPARTMENT: Government Relations and External Affairs

LOCATION: Headquarters, Washington, DC

REPORTS TO: Senior Vice President, External Affairs

NUMBER OF DIRECT AND INDIRECT REPORT(S): 8

LAST REVISED: January 2026

POSITION SUMMARY

The Vice President of Government Relations leads Defenders’ congressional advocacy and key federal Executive Branch initiatives. This role strengthens relationships with Congress, the White House, agencies, and partner organizations; directs major legislative and administrative campaigns; and shapes policy positions for decision-makers and represents those positions to the media and other environmental organizations. Responsibilities include managing advocacy strategy and resources, supervising staff, overseeing budgets, ensuring compliance with lobbying laws, and driving constituency-building efforts on priority issues.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Build and maintain effective relationships with Congress, the White House, administrative agencies, and other conservation/environment organizations;
• Assumes lead responsibility for developing and implementing strategies to enhance Defenders’ political effectiveness and strategic positioning through methods including direct lobbying, grassroots organizing and partnerships with other environmental organizations.
• Leads the process of identifying Defenders’ priority legislative and administrative advocacy objectives and the development of campaigns, strategies and the distribution of organizational resources to advance those objectives.
• In coordination with others, develops strategies for communicating Defenders’ views on legislative and administrative issues to Congress, the White House, administrative agencies, and other environmental and issue-related organizations.
• As a member of the leadership team, actively engages in the development and implementation of Defenders-wide strategies in support of the broader organizational culture.
• Presents information regarding government relations to the Board of Directors at the request of the President & CEO, and fulfills various other senior management administrative duties including: providing input on organizational planning and strategic direction; negotiating and signing contracts when necessary; and assisting in developing agenda for Board of Directors’ meetings.
• Oversees the department’s professional staff of lobbyists and grassroots outreach specialists, assist staff to advance priorities internally and externally.
• Oversee the advocacy operations of Defenders’ national outreach program
• Performs services for Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund, including developing an annual legislative scorecard and developing grassroots lobbying initiatives.
• Represents Defenders at various national environmental community coordination committees as needed.
• Represents Defenders in coalitions, public meetings, hearings, press events, conferences, national and international forums, and in general communications with public officials, the media, members, the donor community and the public.
• Establishes and maintains efficient and functional office and communication systems within the Government Relations department and complies with applicable administrative procedures, including timely submission of plans, budgets, time sheets, reports, check requests, leave requests, and reimbursement requests.
• Assists Development Department in preparing foundation grant proposals in assigned program areas; initiates creative and long-term mechanisms for organizational growth within the Government Relations Department; promotes programs to members and donor community.
• Coordinates media strategies with the Communications department and assists in identifying and pursuing national, regional and local media coverage of Defenders’ issues.
• Is a committed and effective advocate for all Defenders’ programs and objectives.
• Develops short- and long-range operating objectives, organizational structure, and staffing requirements.
• Ensure communication of duties and responsibilities to direct reports and monitor performance. Provide regular coaching and counseling. Identify training needs. Prepare and deliver salary and performance reviews; review and approve performance and salary appraisals as necessary.
• Some travel required
• Performs all other related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education: Bachelor’s (B.A./B.S.) degree or equivalent

Experience: 15 years; 7 years supervisory; 5 years managing 2+ layers

An equivalent combination of education and experience may be accepted as a satisfactory substitute for the specific education and experience listed above

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities for All Defenders

https://defenders.org/knowledge-skills-and-abilities

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities for Vice President, Government Relations

1. Political experience, sound judgment and sensitivity, including an advanced understanding of lobbying and the federal legislative process
2. Excellent leadership skills, with a proven track record in staff recruitment, team development, and organizational development
3. Knowledge and experience relating to the management of a large national non-profit organization including planning, budgeting, administration, and organizational positioning
4. Broad knowledge of the environmental community, experience working for and/or with national environmental groups and understanding of the community’s various organizational structures
5. Understanding of environmental laws, wildlife policy issues, and/or principles of conservation biology
6. Excellent writing and verbal communications skills, preferably including drafting and presenting testimony
7. Strong media skills including writing press releases, working with editorial writers, and experience with both television and radio interviews
8. Knowledge of grassroots organizing strategies and techniques
9. Advanced knowledge of federal compliance and reporting laws and requirements relating to direct lobbying, electioneering, and federal and congressional ethics.

PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES, ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS, PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Physical Activities

Check all that apply

Frequency

(N)Never, (O)Occasionally or (C)Constantly

Ascending or descending ladders, stairs, scaffolding, ramps, poles and the like.

N

Moving self in different positions to accomplish tasks in various environments including tight and confined spaces.

N

Remaining in a stationary position, often standing or sitting for prolonged periods.

C

Moving about to accomplish tasks or moving from one worksite to another.

O

Adjusting or moving objects up to 10 pounds in all directions.

N

Communicating with others to exchange information.

C

Repeating motions that may include the wrists, hands and/or fingers.

C

Operating machinery and/or power tools.

N

Operating motor vehicles or heavy equipment.

N

Assessing the accuracy, neatness and thoroughness of the work assigned.

C

Environmental Conditions

Check all that apply

Frequency

(N)Never, (O)Occasionally or (C)Constantly

Low temperatures.

High temperatures.

Outdoor elements such as precipitation and wind.

Noisy environments.

Hazardous conditions.

Poor ventilation.

Small and/or enclosed spaces.

No adverse environmental conditions expected.

X

Physical Demands

Check only one

Sedentary work that primarily involves sitting/standing.

X

Light work that includes moving objects up to 20 pounds.

Medium work that includes moving objects up to 50 pounds.

Heavy work that includes moving objects up to 100 pounds or more.

Visit www.defenders.org to apply.

All employees are required to satisfactorily perform the essential duties and responsibilities of their positions. The essential duties and responsibilities listed above are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

Defenders of Wildlife provides equal employment opportunity to all qualified individuals without regard to their race, color, ethnicity, religion, national origin, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy, age, genetic information, disability, veterans' status or and any other legally protected class, characteristic or trait per applicable federal, state, or local law.

Please be advised this position is non union-eligible.