Senior Government Affairs Manager

# Salary Range
$90,950.00 To $107,000.00 Annually

# Position Summary
The Senior Government Affairs Manager will be responsible for leading Western Resource Advocates and WRA Action Fund’s (referred to collectively as **WRA**) legislative, regulatory, and administrative advocacy efforts in the relevant state. This position will involve working closely with WRA’s program and marketing and communications staff to advance innovative legislative and administrative policy solutions critical to addressing the state’s most pressing climate change challenges. The position will focus on advancing climate and conservation policies across WRA’s three program areas.

The ideal candidate is a highly motivated strategic thinker who possesses sound judgment, strong decision‑making skills, and political acumen. This position may include supervision of others on the Government Affairs team.

# About Western Resource Advocates
WRA fights climate change and its impacts to sustain the environment, economy, and people of the West. Our team of policy experts, scientists, economists, and attorneys has a 30‑year history of working where decisions are made, sweating the details, creating evidence‑based solutions, and holding decision makers accountable. This on‑the‑ground work with policymakers and other advocates advances clean energy, protects air, land, water, and wildlife—and sustains the lives and livelihoods of the West.

# Location
The position can work remotely from the Carson City–Reno or Las Vegas metropolitan areas, be based in WRA’s Reno office, or operate in a hybrid remote/in‑office setting.

# Responsibilities
– Lead WRA’s government affairs work in the state and collaborate with program and communications staff to develop and implement public policy advocacy efforts with legislative and administrative decision makers in Nevada.
– Lead prioritization and planning of activities and campaigns to advance policies in multiple decision‑making forums including, but not limited to, the State Legislature and regulatory bodies.
– Partner with WRA program leaders, staff, and contract lobbyists to develop legislative and other decision‑maker targets to inform advocacy campaign planning.
– Partner with WRA team members, consultants, and partners to develop plans that advance WRA’s objectives.
– Coordinate with WRA’s policy and marketing/communications staff to craft communications strategies and messaging that accurately and persuasively convey WRA’s advocacy positions.
– Serve as WRA’s senior liaison with elected leaders and other decision makers in the state.
– Identify and manage effective coalitions of diverse partners to advance WRA’s priorities.
– In coordination with program staff, read and analyze the potential impact of proposed legislation and administrative policies with minimal guidance.
– Identify, recruit, and organize a diverse group of opinion leaders to engage with decision makers in support of WRA’s policies and positions.
– Manage and oversee contract lobbyists and other consultants retained by the Government Affairs department.
– Effectively communicate complex policy concepts to diverse audiences.
– Monitor and track relevant state and local policies, rules, and regulations.
– Travel frequently to the state capital during the legislative session.

# Supervisory Responsibilities
– Supervise interns, fellows, and other government affairs staff members.
– Assist with hiring and training of interns, fellows, and staff.
– Provide constructive feedback and timely performance evaluations for direct reports.

# Qualifications & Competencies
Any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities will be considered.

Required:
– At least seven years of experience in a government affairs capacity for an elected official, government agency, private entity, and/or nonprofit advocacy organization.
– A minimum of four years of proven experience leading, developing, and executing strategic government affairs, external affairs, communications, and/or advocacy campaigns.
– Experience managing consultants and supporting team members.
– Extensive understanding of relevant state politics and policy makers, especially related to conservation and climate change.
– Substantial experience building and maintaining relationships with decision makers.
– Broad experience building coalitions with diverse stakeholders.
– Comfort and skill communicating with a variety of constituencies.
– Excellent communication skills with the ability to persuade, influence, or lead others on complex subjects.
– Strong organizational and time‑management skills with attention to detail and follow‑through.
– Strong interpersonal and relationship‑building skills.

Preferred:
– Experience lobbying or advocating with decision makers.
– Experience and knowledge centering equity in policy development.
– Existing relationships with decision makers and influencers in WRA’s region.

# Working Environment and Physical Requirements
– Typical office environment with minimal exposure to excessive noise or adverse environmental issues.
– Prolonged periods at a desk and working on a computer.
– Position requires some travel by automobile, airplane, etc.

# Travel Requirements
Travel to meetings, conferences, and other work‑related events is required within the relevant state, specifically to the capital city. Additional travel for retreats and internal organizational meetings within WRA’s region is expected (approximately 10%–25%, depending on work location).

# Salary and Benefits
The salary range for a Senior Government Affairs Manager is **$90,950 – $107,000**, depending on experience. New staff rarely start at the top of the range.

WRA’s benefits package includes:
– 401(k) retirement plan with up to 5% matching
– Health, dental, vision, life & disability insurance with 100% of premiums paid by WRA
– 17 days paid vacation to start
– 12 paid sick days
– 1 paid volunteer day
– 12 paid holidays
– Paid Winter Break (Christmas Day through New Year’s Day)
– Up to 12 weeks parental leave
– Up to 12 weeks paid sabbatical after five years
Position is full‑time exempt.

# Deadline to Apply
**Open Until Filled**

Diversity and inclusion are a critical component of our strategy, mission, and vision. We welcome candidates from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences. Learn more about our commitment here:
[https://westernresourceadvocates.org/diversity-equity-inclusion/]

WRA is an equal opportunity employer (EOE) and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, age, disability, marital status, amnesty, or veteran status.

# Apply to Be WRA’s Senior Government Affairs Manager
Thank you for your interest in this position. You will need to upload the following in PDF format:

– Cover letter addressed to the Senior Government Affairs Manager Hiring Panel describing your qualifications and interest
– Resume
– Writing sample

Please direct questions to: **[email protected]**