POSITION TITLE: 2023-162 Manager, Government Relations

DEPARTMENT/PROGRAM: Government Relations

REPORTS TO: Director, Government Relations

STATUS: Regular, Full-Time, Exempt

LOCATION: Washington, DC

ABOUT OCEAN CONSERVANCY

Ocean Conservancy works to protect the ocean from today’s greatest global challenges. Together with our partners, we create evidence-based solutions for a healthy ocean and the wildlife and communities that depend on it.

POSITION SUMMARY

Ocean Conservancy’s Government Relations team works to develop and implement policy solutions to address key ocean threats. Through strategic engagement with Congress, state legislatures and agencies, the Administration, partner organizations and other stakeholders, we work to educate policy-makers on ocean issues and influence ocean-related legislation and policy decisions to achieve lasting change. We pride ourselves on promoting policy solutions that are visionary, but pragmatic; inspiring and activating key constituencies in new and innovative ways; and working with our program teams to win real policy and legislative changes that protect and promote ocean health.

The Manager, Government Relations will work with the government relations team to drive the development and advancement of Ocean Conservancy’s policy and legislative agenda. Specifically, the individual in this role will serve as the lead on the government relations team for our shipping emissions campaign in addition to leading on key climate policy priorities, including ocean carbon dioxide removal and coastal resilience. In addition, this role will support our federal appropriations and annual budget advocacy as well as the advocacy priorities of the broader climate portfolio, which includes advancing clean ocean energy. The Manager will represent Ocean Conservancy to government officials on Capitol Hill, in federal agencies, and may also involve certain state legislatures, and will work with our conservation experts to develop policy goals, activate new constituencies, and advance policy solutions in Congress and with key agencies to protect and promote ocean health. The individual in this role will be required to register as a lobbyist.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

The Manager, Government Relations will:

• Works closely with Ocean Conservancy program staff to identify and create opportunities to advance specific policy goals, and to develop and implement strategies and tactics to achieve effective policy outcomes.
• Develop and maintain relationships with Members of Congress, their staff, and the Administration on issues related to eliminating shipping emissions, ocean carbon dioxide removal, coastal resiliency, and other ocean-climate policy issue areas that arise.
• Lobby policymakers, their staff, and administration officials to advance Ocean Conservancy’s policy positions and encourage action to further the organization’s policy priorities.
• Perform policy analysis, legislative strategy development and implementation, selective stakeholder outreach, and coordination of the NGO community in support of policy objectives.
• Draft and edit testimony, legislation, and legislative amendments, and communicate with Congressional staff.
• Coordinate with program staff to review and draft letter, legislative, and policy endorsement recommendations to OC leadership.
• Produce a variety of written products, such as letters, blogs, fact sheets, action alerts, and op-eds, to support advocacy and lobbying activities.
• Plan and coordinate with other organizational staff, including Digital, Communications, and the stakeholder network, activities in support of policy advocacy, such as stakeholder fly-ins, special events, and digital and communications campaigns.

REQUIRED SKILLS/QUALIFICATIONS/EXPERIENCE

• Proven ability to understand and analyze complex environmental and legislative issues; and develop and implement strategies to advance policy and legislative goals.
• Minimum of two years of experience working with Congress and/or on federal policy issues.

• Superior oral and written communication skills, including capacity to communicate complex ideas compellingly to a variety of audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to integrate across disciplines and work collaboratively with diverse teams, networks, and coalitions.

• A strategic thinker who can identify, maximize, and create opportunities to advance Ocean Conservancy’s policy goals.
• A high-level performer who will bring the necessary creativity, energy, and commitment; and with the ability to move rapidly in response to policy opportunities as they present themselves.
• Understanding of Congress, the Administration, and the policy-making process.
• Attentive to details and adheres strictly to deadlines and deliverables while keeping a larger vision in mind.
• Highly collaborative with an appreciation of the benefit of a multi-disciplinary team approach.

EDUCATION/TRAINING

Bachelor’s Degree in political science, environmental policy, law, or marine science and work experience relating to one or more of the policy issues listed above.

COMPENSATION

Ocean Conservancy is committed to equity in its pay practices and posts expected hiring ranges for each of its positions. Salary minimum is $74,160; salary midpoint is $92,597. The midpoint represents the market rate for a position, and a fully experienced employee may be paid at this level. Compensation will be commensurate with the candidate’s specialty skills, years of experience, location, and unique background. We would welcome the opportunity to connect with potential candidates whose salary requirements may be outside of the expected hiring range.

HYBRID WORK ENVIRONMENT

Ocean Conservancy embraces a hybrid work environment, which allows our staff the flexibility to work virtually and in-person while building strong connections across the institution.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Ocean Conservancy provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

We encourage applicants who have a diverse level and range of relevant skills and experiences to apply. A 100% match is not required. We want to support employees’ career growth and in return, our employees help Ocean Conservancy grow into a stronger, more inclusive organization.