VP of Government and Public Affairs

Salary Range: $ To $ Annually

Department:
Administration

Reports to:

President & CEO
Status:
Fulltime, Salaried, Benefited

The Seattle Aquarium, a leading marine conservation organization, is looking for a Vice President of Government and Public Affairs to lead the Aquarium’s government and public affairs strategy and strengthen the long-term public-sector partnerships and investment that support its mission, growth, and regional impact.

Reporting to the President & CEO and serving as a member of the executive leadership team, this role leads government and public affairs related to the Aquarium as an institution, including public funding, civic partnerships, capital investment, and government relationships, while partnering with the Aquarium's conservation leaders on matters where institutional and conservation priorities intersect.

This position is accountable for building the conditions under which the Aquarium is consistently supported through predictable, multi-year public funding and is fully integrated into regional priorities related to conservation, education, tourism, and economic development. The Vice President works to ensure the Aquarium is understood and valued by public-sector partners not as a discretionary attraction, but as a core public asset that delivers measurable community benefit now and for the future.

Serving as the Aquarium’s primary liaison to government leaders and agencies, the Vice President cultivates long-term partnerships that translate into sustained investment, strong budget positioning, and resilience across political and economic cycles. The role requires a deep understanding of public funding systems, regional governance, and the ability to align the Aquarium’s mission and programs with public priorities in ways that drive enduring support.

In partnership with the President & CEO and executive leadership team, the Vice President also leads strategic initiatives that advance the Aquarium’s long-term growth, including capital development, public-private partnerships, and cross-sector collaborations. Through this work, the role ensures that public investment is not only secured, but effectively leveraged to expand the Aquarium’s conservation impact, access, and relevance across the region.

As a member of the Aquarium’s executive team, this role will be involved or lead projects and initiatives that may involve various stakeholders, including aquarium staff, board, or third-party partners.

In addition, this role will lead the creation of a government and public affairs team, which will support the strategy, execution, and relationships management central to the success of this function.

Through this critical body of work, the Vice President will improve organizational sustainability and oversee significant growth in public sector support, allowing the Aquarium to inspire more people to act on behalf of the ocean.

• In consultation with the Aquarium executives, key staff and lobbying team, the VP of government affairs plans and executes a comprehensive, proactive government affairs strategy that advances the Aquariums conservation mission and business objectives with local, regional, state, and federal elected officials.
  
  Acts as a trusted strategic advisor to the president/CEO and the board on government affairs, public investment, civic relationships, and emerging opportunities or risks.
• May lead a team of professionals responsible for designing and executing on the Aquarium’s government affairs strategy.
• Aligns activities of the Government Affairs team to the Aquarium’s strategic plan, strategic objectives and annual work plans.
• Directs and manages projects and…