NRDC is a non-profit environmental advocacy organization. We use law, science, and the support of 3.1 million members and online activists to protect the planet's wildlife and wild places and to ensure the rights of all people to clean air, clean water, and healthy communities. NRDC was founded in 1970 and our people helped write some of America's bedrock environmental laws, including the Clean Water Act and many of the implementing regulations. Today, our team of more than 700 lawyers, scientists, economists, policy advocates, communications experts, and others work across the United States and the globe from our offices in Beijing; Chicago; New Delhi; New York; San Francisco; Santa Monica; and Washington, D.C. 

NRDC is seeking a Managing Director of Federal Affairs to work with the Center for Campaigns and Organizing team in our Washington, DC office. 

Position Summary 

The Managing Director of Federal Affairs leads the organization’s federal government affairs and campaigns teams to achieve public policy goals in close collaboration with programs and capacity teams across the organization.  This role acts as an internal and external leader who will closely advise the organization’s executive leadership and other institutional leaders and colleagues on policy and advocacy matters. 

The ideal candidate has led government affairs for one or more major national NGOs, business, association, or public affairs agency focused on environmental and energy policies; or has been a chief of staff or committee staff lead in Congress; and/or has led congressional affairs for a federal agency with significant jurisdiction on environment and energy issues.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the following essential functions: 

• Direct federal government affairs teams to achieve NRDC’s policy goals in close collaboration with policy, campaign, partnership, and communications teams across the organization’s programs and capacities. 
• Be a regular presence on Capitol Hill to advance NRDC’s legislative goals through Congress. 
• Oversee the development and decision-making of NRDC’s federal policy priorities, work plans, and budgets. 
• Ensure active monitoring, analyses, and response to relevant legislation and regulation. 
• Cultivate strong relationships with and authoritatively represent the organization to congressional offices, federal administration, partner organizations, trade associations, and coalitions. 
• Actively participate in events and coalition meetings to maintain a strong network of job-relevant relationships with government and political actors. 
• Support fundraising and board engagement efforts when called upon, which may include producing memos, as well as presenting on governmental advocacy and emerging issues. 
• Regularly serve as a media spokesperson. 
• Serve as a senior advisor to the 501(c)(4) NRDC Action Fund’s electoral programs and guide the NRDC Action Fund PAC’s federal PAC giving in a limited capacity and as legally appropriate. 

The above list of duties is not comprehensive but generally demonstrates the types of matters under this position’s responsibility. Other duties may be assigned. 

Experience and Education 

• A minimum of 15 years of directly relevant work experience advancing federal legislative and regulatory policies related to climate change, energy, environment, and public health. 
• Significant job experience in cross-functional leadership and staff and program management. 
• Expert understanding of the federal legislative process and calendar. 
• Extensive network of contemporary relationships on Capitol Hill. 
• Senior roles held on major issue or political campaigns. 
• Bachelor’s Degree required; advanced degree in law or public policy preferred. 

Skills, Abilities, Competencies  

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills. 
• Effective management and leadership over people and projects. 
• Aptitude for developing and sustaining a coherent and collective external advocacy message. 
• Ability to manage advocacy risks with programs and ensure programs have good political input. 
• Skills with managing and coordinating internal operations in the organization. 
• Commitment to NRDC’s mission and values, including diversity, equity, and inclusion. 
• Ability to commute to NRDC’s Washington, DC office and to travel extensively to Capitol Hill. 
• Ability to build relationships, effectively collaborate and build trust from peers and colleagues. 
• Ability to handle complex and sensitive discussions and processes with diplomacy. 
• Aptitude for developing talent and supporting a positive and diverse team culture. 

 PHYSICAL DEMANDS   

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position within the described work environment. 

Frequently: Perform desk-based computer tasks 

Frequently: Ability to interact and communicate with employees and others as necessary 

Frequently:  Attend planned meetings and collaborate with management and coworkers 

Occasionally: Ability to attend events and activities in the office or offsite  

Work is sometimes performed primarily in office.  The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet in office settings and moderate in other situations.  Hours of employment may sometimes require working flexible and/or longer hours, including nights and weekends, when necessitated by projects. The job includes work-related situations such as those involving challenging, important, urgent, time-sensitive, or multiple matters. 

NRDC is committed to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion, both in our work and in our workplace. We believe that celebrating and actively welcoming diverse voices and perspectives is essential to solving the planet's most pressing environmental problems, and we encourage applications from candidates whose identities have been historically under-represented in the environmental movement. 

We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, marital status, sexual orientation, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.  

We offer competitive salaries, excellent benefits, and a supportive working environment. Salary is based on a nonprofit scale and is commensurate with skills and experience. Internal equity will be reviewed and considered to determine a final offer. For this position, the salary range is $200,000 to $225,000.  

NRDC operates under a hybrid work model. Employees are required to come to the office 8 days per month. 

As a science-based organization, NRDC aims to do our part to help contain the COVID-19 public health crisis. For the sake of health, safety, and equity, we ask that people be vaccinated unless they have an approved medical or religious accommodation or other exemption in accordance with state and local law. We consider a person to be vaccinated two weeks after receiving one full course of a CDC-approved vaccine. In accordance with state or local law, new hires will be asked to attest to vaccination, those wishing to do so may request medical or religious accommodations or other exemptions via NRDC Employee Relations. NRDC treats all vaccine-related data confidentially, in keeping with local, state, and federal laws. 

To apply, visit www.nrdc.org/careers and upload your résumé and cover letter. Please mention where you saw this posting and upload any additional materials that showcase your abilities. Due to the high volume of applications, we will contact only those candidates we would like to interview. Please no phone calls, emails, or in-person résumé drop-offs. 

If you experience technical problems while applying or if you are a person with a disability and need assistance applying online, please reach out to iCIMS Customer Care at 1-800-889-4422. 

For more about NRDC, visit www.nrdc.org.