Opportunity

Ocean Career: Senior Oceans Policy Manager at Environmental Defense Fund

With world attention on both the environment and the economy, Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) is where policymakers and business leaders turn for win-win solutions.

By focusing on strong science, uncommon partnerships and market-based approaches, we tackle urgent threats with practical solutions. We are one of the world’s largest environmental organizations, with more than two million members and a staff of approximately 700 scientists, economists, policy experts, and other professionals around the world. We operate in 22 geographies with unique projects running across four programs. You will be part of a vibrant workplace where innovation and results are a way of life.

Responsibilities

The Sr. Manager, Federal Affairs, is a senior member of EDF's lobby team and represents the organization's interests on fisheries and ocean issues in a climate changing world. This role is responsible for planning and executing a creative lobbying strategy that advances the mission and goals of EDF, especially as they pertain to defending sustainable fishery gains, building congressional ocean champions, and advancing appropriations funding for key programs at NOAA.

The Senior Manager, Federal Affairs has knowledge and experience to drive legislative strategy forward, collaborates effectively with team members across EDF programs, manages staff, and cultivates external relationships with key stakeholders and policymakers. This position reports to the Associate Vice President of Federal Affairs.

Key Responsibilities

  • Develop or bring into the position a broad and deep network of relationships with policymakers, thought leaders, and other policy professionals connected to U.S. fisheries and marine policy.
  • Advocate for EDF priorities in legislation or administrative action, including actions by and appointments to the Regional Fishery Management Councils.
  • Identify opportunities for the Political Affairs team to advance our message to Congress and the administration, including monitoring and tracking statements made by members of Congress and high-level administration officials; identifying opportunities for cross-EDF collaboration; and harnessing stakeholder partners.
  • Collaborate with other members of the Political Affairs team to ensure interactions with congressional offices are coordinated and aligned.
  • Build and maintain relationships with Members of Congress who serve on the House Natural Resources Committee, Senate Commerce Committee, and House/Senate Appropriations Committees and their key personal and committee office staff.
  • Develop and maintain relationships with key executive branch officials, including officials with NOAA in both the national and regional offices.
  • Represent EDF on various coalitions; identify and advocate for EDF's fishery and ocean conservation policy priorities within these coalitions and find creative pathways that achieve policy goals.
  • Partner with policy organizations, researchers, fishing industry allies, and NGOs focused on sustainable fisheries and ocean issues to achieve goals.
  • Work directly with EDF political and programmatic teams to identify policy goals and strategies to achieve success.
  • Lead the drafting of reports and proposals to both C3 and C4 funders.
  • Co-manage 1-2 direct reports who work on various environmental policy issues.
  • Participates in advancing EDF DEI goals in which people from all backgrounds and experiences feel connected, included, and empowered to address the environmental and organizational challenges in alignment with EDF values.

Qualifications

  • 8+ years of experience in the development and/or execution of fisheries or oceans policy, or comparable combination of education and experience.
  • Proven experience in government relations and ocean/climate issues.
  • Extensive knowledge of federal politics, legislative process, and administrative actions on climate and agriculture.
  • Familiarity with the science of climate change and strong understanding of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act and the fishery management process in the United States.
  • Previous experience with either the Senate Commerce Committee or House Committee on Natural Resources is a bonus.
  • Able to identify viable and creative legislative or administrative pathways for policy priorities and develop effective strategies to utilize those paths.
  • Experience with managing direct staff and leading project teams.
  • Demonstrates self-awareness, cultural competency and inclusivity, and ability to work with colleagues and stakeholders across diverse cultures and backgrounds.
  • Comfortable working in a collaborative, inclusive workplace.
  • Ability to bring together multiple perspectives into a cohesive effort.
  • Ability to effectively communicate with both internal and external stakeholders.
  • Strong analytical and writing skills with an ability to create materials and/or presentations that represent the organization's positions and priorities, including social media and other communications pieces.
  • Proven ability to build strong relationships quickly.
  • Willingness to work across the political spectrum and develop positive bipartisan and bicameral relationships.
  • Willingness and ability to register as a federal lobbyist.

Location

This position can be performed on a hybrid schedule out of EDF's office in Washington, DC. Since this role will require weekly physical presence in office as well as on the hill, we cannot consider fully remote arrangements or non-local candidates at this time.

Learn more about this opportunity and how to apply.

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