Government Affairs Associate Director

Great benefits. Competitive pay. We know these are some of the things people look for in a job.

If you’re the kind of person who believes that honoring and empowering our nation’s veterans is more than just a cause that it’s a calling then we’re ready to meet you.

When you join Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP), you’re committing to making a difference. We make a commitment to you, too helping you to find that spark, ignite your passion to serve, and embark on a career with meaning and purpose.

At WWP™, we recognize our mission cannot be accomplished without our talented teammates, which is why we’re proud to offer benefits such as :

• A flexible hybrid work schedule (three days in the office, two days’ work from home)
• Full medical, dental, and vision coverage for both teammates AND family members
• Competitive pay and performance incentives
• A fun, mission-focused, and collaborative team environment

The Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) Government Affairs Senior Specialist (Associate Director) assists with the development and implementation of WWP’s legislative strategy to advance WWP’s legislative and policy priorities.

The Government Affairs Senior Specialist helps lead the planning and implementation of WWP’s legislative and advocacy operations to advance WWP’s mission and vision, and provides support to the WWP Government Affairs team by analyzing and reporting on federal legislative and regulatory matters, communicating WWP’s public policy positions, and identifying new, timely opportunities to communicate the impact of WWP programs and services and bolster relationships with legislative representatives, nonprofit organizations, and internal and external partners and stakeholders.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Support the Government Affairs team to build and enhance collaborative relationships to advance WWP advocacy priorities and inform on WWP public policy positions.
• Support the Government Affairs leadership in the development and implementation of advocacy campaigns for high-priority policy initiatives at the federal and state levels.
• Prepare internal and external communications including emails, reports, memos, and presentations. Coordinate cross-organizational communication with WWP program management to support and inform policy initiatives.
• Collect and analyze data to assist the Government Affairs team with decision-making and subsequent reporting to leadership on activities and results.

Compile and analyze data to identify and track trends.

• Prepare reports on federal legislative and regulatory matters of interest to WWP.
• Manage the development of congressional testimony, congressional roundtable remarks and talking points, and federal agency rulemaking comments, and testify before congressional audiences.
• Support the Government Affairs leadership with a variety of projects and activities, e.g., team budgeting process, the strategic planning process, defining Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).
• Assist with the oversight of external resources and vendors who are supporting WWP advocacy efforts.
• Collaborate with the Communications team to develop communications to raise awareness of Government Affairs team activities with stakeholders.
• Coordinate with Community Partnerships and Investments team to help develop and monitor advocacy-related grants and projects.
• Coordinate engagements, working groups, roundtables, and meetings.
• Represent WWP at events, meetings, discussions, hearings, and conferences including routine and ad hoc engagements with senior government officials such as agency undersecretaries and Members of Congress.

Provide written summaries and recommendations to Government Affairs team.

• Develop community support for WWP and effectively communicate WWP’s history, mission, vision, and the benefits of WWP programs and services, and inspire others to become involved with and support WWP.
• Other duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES

• Advanced knowledge and understanding of the legislative process, public policy, and advocacy issues and processes.
• Highly motivated, passionate, and creative team player with demonstrated understanding of WWP and its mission, values, programs, and services.
• Demonstrated leadership experience with the ability to motivate, mentor, and educate staff members while fostering a strong team mentality.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with demonstrated research and writing capabilities.
• Strong organizational and time management skills, demonstrating the ability adapt to changing priorities and meet deadlines while work independently with limited supervision.
• Demonstrated ability to establish working relationships with WWP teammates to advance the mission and advocacy priorities and inform them about WWP public policy positions.
• Demonstrated relationship-building skills with a thorough understanding of relationship management and partnering. Demonstrated ability to participate in and lead external advocacy efforts through collaboration with stakeholders including military service organization (MSO) and veteran service organization (VSO) representatives, congressional staff, and federal agency staff.
• Demonstrated ability to manage sensitive matters with diplomacy, and confidentiality, and build effective working relationships with diverse individuals.
• Strong advocacy experience with a thorough understanding of military service organization (MSO) and veteran service organization (VSO) community needs, concerns, and issues.
• Demonstrated ability to think strategically, analyze complex information, and offer creative, practical, and high-impact solutions.
• Effective presentation skills. Confident communicator, with demonstrated ability to present information effectively to large audiences, small groups, and individuals, and facilitate discussion, serving as a strong effective representative of WWP.
• Professional presence and demeanor with a demonstrated ability to establish credibility, be decisive, influence others, and effect change.
• High energy level. Self- starter; willing to take initiative.
• Unequivocal commitment to the highest standards of personal and business ethics and conduct.
• Mission-driven, guided by core values, and a pleasure to work with.

EXPERIENCE

Requirements

Seven years of experience in advocacy, policy, or legislative affairs or research.

Preferences

• Five years of military experience or working with veteran’s or military service organizations.
• Five years of experience working with a non-profit organization.
• Five years of experience working in a Congressional office, an Executive branch office, or with a lobby firm.

EDUCATION

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in political science, business, management, communication, or other relevant field of study. Equivalent combination of education, experience, training, or certification may be considered in lieu of degree.

Preferences

None.

WORK ENVIRONMENT / PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• General office environment; temperature controlled.
• Up to 30% travel.
• We recognize the success of our mission depends on the efforts of our passionate, hard-working teammates. To help teammates remain focused on the warriors and families we serve, WWP offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes;

Medical / Prescription drug, Dental, Vision, Life / AD&D, Short-term Disability, Long-term Disability, and an Employee Assistance Program.

WWP also offers a 401(k)-retirement plan, a competitive PTO package, Sick Leave, Family Care Leave, Paid Holidays, Birthday Holiday, Education Assistance, and Bereavement Leave.

For Washington, D.C. Applicants : The estimated hiring range for this position is between $90,316 - $112,896 annual base salary, subject to a candidate’s combination of experience, qualifications, and credentials.

This position may also be eligible for an annual performance incentive.

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LI-HYBRID

Wounded Warrior Project® is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing equal employment opportunity to all persons without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, citizenship, age, veteran or military status, disability, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law.