Washington State Government Relations Director

About the Role

The Washington State Government Relations Director will guide The Nature Conservancy’s strategies to build influence, leverage and momentum for environmental progress in Washington State. They will guide state legislative agenda development and implementation, engage with the state executive branch, and lobby for state policy or budget appropriations necessary to achieve conservation goals. The Washington State Government Relations Director will work with other members of the Policy & Government Relations team as well as Business Unit and divisional strategy teams to strengthen strategic external relationships that will enable the Washington Business Unit to have the greatest possible impact to protect the environment and improve the well‑being of communities in our region.

• Advocate for priority policies and public funding for programs and projects that are key to conservation priorities and advance the work of The Nature Conservancy and its partners.
• Build and maintain productive bipartisan relationships and open communications with key state government officials, including statewide elected officials, state legislators, legislative staff, Gubernatorial and agency staff, Tribal leaders and lobbyists.
• In deep coordination with policy staff, support the research, analysis, evaluation and preparation of recommendations on state public policy issues, policy options and the potential impacts of proposed legislation, proposed rule making efforts, and changes in agency policies.
• Develop multi‑faceted legislative campaigns to increase impact and achieve specific policy goals.

• Support state Business Unit and divisional strategy objectives by working in a complex, matrixed team environment within cross‑functional teams.
• Collaborate closely with policy, conservation, forestry, prescribed fire, science, community relations and other staff to advance conservation priorities and the work of The Nature Conservancy and its partners.

• Participate in multiple state policy coalitions, including the Environmental Priorities Coalition, Washington Association of Land Trusts, Washington Wildlife and Recreation Coalition, Washington Prescribed Fire Council, and Blue‑Green Alliance.
• Communicate with a wide range of people, including business executives, Tribal leaders, community representatives, and elected officials in support of conservation outcomes.

• Assure compliance with all state and federal lobbying laws and regulations, including responsibility for maintaining, reporting and tracking state and federal lobbying activities.
• Manage contract lobbyist(s) and may supervise one or more administrative and/or professional staff, interns or volunteers, with responsibility for performance management, training and development.
• Apply a diversified knowledge of practices to support Conservancy strategies.
• Act independently within broad program goals.
• Participate in negotiations for complex, high profile or sensitive agreements.

• The location for this position is flexible within the Puget Sound region (Olympia, Tacoma, Seattle preferred), with a requirement to be onsite in Olympia 5 days per week during legislative session (January – March/April) and available for in‑person meetings at The Nature Conservancy’s Seattle office on a regular basis outside of legislative session (occasionally weekly, more often 1–2 times per month).
• Must be willing to travel (including overnight) throughout Washington State, including frequent travel to Olympia; occasional travel to other U.S. locations.
• Work long and/or flexible hours as needed.

• Bachelor’s degree in relevant field and 5 years of government relations, policy, lobbying, or advocacy experience, OR equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience developing, directing and managing multiple projects and implementing strategic program goals.
• Analytical and project management experience. Demonstrated experience in successfully developing and implementing complex projects in an…