Senior Manager, Farmer Advocacy

Summary

The ASPCA believes that when the most humane farmers thrive, farm animals benefit. But for that to happen, the voices and faces of independent livestock farmers need to be brought to the forefront of policymaking. As the Senior Manager, Farmer Advocacy, help the nation’s oldest and most respected animal welfare organization—supported by millions of constituents—build a food system that benefits independent farmers who respect their animals, their communities, and the environment.

Organization

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) is the nation’s first humane organization and one of the largest nonprofit animal welfare organizations in the world. The ASPCA provides local and national leadership in caring for pets and pet parents, providing positive outcomes for at-risk animals, and serving victims of animal cruelty.

The Farm Animal Welfare Department is one of the departments within the ASPCA’s Policy, Response, and Engagement Group. The farm animal welfare team works collaboratively with other departments and external organizations representing farmer, public health, environment, and other interests to build a more humane farming system: introducing and passing legislation to protect farm animals and advance opportunities for pasture-based farmers, spurring corporate policy change in the food industry, building public awareness of farm animal welfare issues, and guiding consumers toward higher welfare meat, eggs, and dairy products.

What You’ll Do

The Senior Manager of Farmer Advocacy will be responsible for further developing the ASPCA’s engagement with farmers and ranchers to promote policies and markets that support pasture-based farming. Specifically, alongside a partner organization and a committee of farmer leaders, this individual will co-lead and grow a new farmer network devoted to building community and developing advocacy skills among independent, pasture-based farmers to push for policies that support more humane agriculture and reduce the market dominance of industrial animal agriculture. This role will focus on farmer leader development, member recruitment, strategic event planning including farm tours for lawmakers, and elevating the network’s visibility with key stakeholders. The Senior Manager should have experience with farming and policy-related organizing with strong logistical, project management, communication, and interpersonal skills.

Where and When You’ll Work

This remote-based position (which requires travel, as described below) is open to all eligible candidates based within the United States.
Ability and willingness to travel up to 15% annually, as needed.

What You’ll Get

Compensation

The target hiring range is based on where the employee works, which for remote roles is the employee’s primary location of residence, and its respective cost of labor. You can view which zone applies to you based on your location (aspca.app.box.com/v/aspcazonetable). For questions regarding locations not on the list, please send an email to [email protected] for more information.

Starting pay for the successful applicant will depend on a variety of factors, including but not limited to education, training, experience, location, business needs, internal equity, market demands, or budgeted amount for the role. The target hiring range is for new hire offers only, and compensation may increase beyond the maximum hiring range based on performance over time. The maximum of the hiring range is reserved for candidates with the highest qualifications and relevant experience.

• Zone 1: $75,000 – $80,000 annually
• Zone 2: $84,000 – $89,000 annually
• Zone 3: $93,000 – $98,000 annually

For more information on our benefits offerings, visit our website.

Benefits

At the ASPCA, you don’t have to choose between your passion and making a living. Our comprehensive benefits package helps ensure you can live a rewarding life at work and at home. Our benefits include, but are not limited to:

• Affordable health coverage, including medical, employer-paid dental, and optional vision coverage.
• Flexible time off that includes vacation, sick, and bereavement time; paid parental leave; 10 company-paid holidays; and paid personal time off for flexibility to observe the days that mean the most to you.
• Competitive financial incentives and retirement savings including a 401(k) plan with generous employer contributions—we match dollar for dollar up to 4% and provide an additional 4% contribution each year.
• Robust professional development opportunities including classes, on-the-job training, coaching, mentorship, internal mobility, and opportunities to support in the field.

Responsibilities

Responsibility buckets are listed in general order of importance and include but are not limited to:

Network Growth and Farmer Engagement

• Develop and execute recruitment, engagement, and communication plans to achieve network growth and advocacy goals.
• Develop trainings, workshops, and advocacy opportunities to help farmers tell their stories to the media, lawmakers, and the public, including drafting content like LTEs, public comments, testimonies, quotes, and social media posts.
• Set up surveys, check-ins, farm visits, and community events to ensure that farmer leaders and members feel supported, empowered, and understood.
• Represent the network with media, farmer audiences, other nonprofits, and lawmakers.

Event Organizing

• Plan and execute regular events, especially legislator farm tours, as well as virtual and in-person farmer listening sessions, policy briefings, advocacy trainings, and conference events—often in collaboration with the Government Relations team and other departments.
• Coordinate all event logistics including scheduling, travel, lodging, venues, food, and materials.

Project Management

• Develop and manage short- and long-term work plans, deliverables, timelines, calendars, contact lists, and tracking systems for the network.
• Develop tools and systems that facilitate communication among leaders and members.
• Provide regular updates and strategic recommendations to network partners.

Exemplifies the ASPCA’s Core Values

• Commitment: Dedication to improving the lives of animals.
• Ownership: Feels responsible for outcomes.
• Team: Believes we are stronger together.
• Elevate: Seeks to uplift others and reimagine what’s possible.
• Impact: Focused on making change for animals.

Qualifications

• Strong relationship skills and ability to connect with people holding diverse views.
• Track record of organizing complex projects on a deadline.
• Ambition to build a more humane food system and belief in the role of policy and farmers’ voices.
• Strong communicator—skilled in social media, storytelling, and campaign tactics.
• Comfort learning new tools (e.g., Airtable, Canva).
• Comfort with public speaking.
• Valid driver’s license and safe driving history required.

Education and Work Experience

• High school diploma, GED, or equivalent professional experience required.
• 5+ years of experience in farm or farmer advocacy, policy advocacy, campaigns, or food system reform.
• Experience organizing events and managing logistics required.
• First-hand farming or farmer-supporting experience required.
• Experience managing projects and/or campaigns required.
• Experience with Microsoft Office or Google Workspace required.
• Experience presenting in formal settings preferred.

Language

English (Required)

Our EEO Policy

The ASPCA is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, gender, gender identity or expression, age, marital or domestic partner status, citizenship status, sexual orientation, disability, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws.

Applicants with disabilities may be entitled to reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act and certain state or local laws. Please inform the ASPCA’s People Team if you need an accommodation to complete any forms or participate in the application process.

About Us

The ASPCA was founded in 1866 on the belief that animals are entitled to kind and respectful treatment by humans and must be protected under the law. As a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation with more than two million supporters nationwide, the ASPCA is committed to preventing cruelty to dogs, cats, equines, and farm animals throughout the United States.

The ASPCA is headquartered in New York City, where we maintain a full-service animal hospital, spay/neuter clinic, mobile and primary pet care clinics, a rehabilitation center for canine victims of cruelty, kitten nursery, adoption center, and two community veterinary centers.

The ASPCA also operates programs and services that extend nationwide, assisting animals through disaster and cruelty interventions, behavioral rehabilitation, animal placement, legal and legislative advocacy, and advancement of the sheltering and veterinary community through research, training, and resources.

At the ASPCA, we are committed to fostering a collaborative and compassionate culture. Our staff bring diverse backgrounds and perspectives, working together toward the ASPCA’s vision: that all animals live good lives—valued by society, protected by law, and free from cruelty, pain, and suffering.

Your Employee Rights Under the Family and Medical Leave Act

Pursuant to regulations of the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), we provide this notice to applicants about eligible employees’ protected leave.

Applicants that are residents of Colorado and Oregon

Per CO Senate Bill 23-058 and ORS 659A.030, we cannot request or require age-related information on an initial employment application.