Director, Government Affairs

Position Summary

The New York Director of Government Affairs serves as the primary point of contact within NRDC for all state legislative and regulatory work in the state. This position requires collegial work with NRDC staff and collaboration with other organizations to develop and lead coherent strategic advocacy by the New York environmental community. Under guidance from the Eastern Regional Government Affairs Director, the New York Director of Government Affairs leads NRDC’s Albany engagement and coordinates NRDC’s in‑state federal advocacy portfolio.

The position you are applying for is part of the bargaining unit represented by The Washington Baltimore News Guild (WBNG / The Newsguild‑CWA Local 32035).

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the following essential functions:

• Design and execute proactive and defensive legislative plans, engage on existing or emerging legislation, and lobby relevant state decision‑makers to advance NRDC’s policy objectives.
• Develop and maintain relationships with elected officials and staff on Committees of Jurisdiction and legislative leadership.
• Build and maintain relationships with policymakers, regulators, elected officials, and decision‑makers in Albany.
• Advise on legislative and state budget strategy in consultation with NRDC policy and public affairs staff.
• Execute and occasionally lead environmental coalitions advocating in Albany. Craft effective messages, prepare coalition letters, and help determine priorities for the broader environmental community.
• Track bills and legislative processes including hearings for all priority legislation across the institution. Attend hearings, provide testimony and integrate relevant NRDC policy experts within NRDC as needed to advance policies throughout legislative and regulatory processes.
• Provide strategic direction to colleagues across the institution on short‑, medium‑, and long‑term objectives needed to advance NRDC’s institutional goals.
• Draft and review external communications explaining NRDC’s annual legislative agenda and regulatory priorities.
• Prepare background briefings and staff trainings regarding New York legislative and regulatory processes, and development of effective advocacy strategies.
• Hold relationships with New York federal delegation offices and engage with the Regional and Federal Affairs teams within NRDC on federal policy objectives.
• Collaborate on occasional NRDC engagement on state and local ballot‑measure campaigns.
• Coordinate and execute projects as needed with NRDC Action Fund.

The above list of duties is not comprehensive but generally demonstrates the types of matters under this position’s responsibility. Other duties may be assigned.

Requirements

• Minimum 10 years’ directly related experience, including a minimum of five years leading legislative and/or regulatory work in Albany.
• Bachelor’s degree in public policy, political science, or relevant field.
• And/or equivalent education or experience.

Skills, Abilities, Competencies

• Proven track record of moving legislation from policy concept through all stages of the legislative process in Albany.
• Fluent understanding of how to navigate the legislative and executive branches of New York Government. Government Affairs experience with New York City government is preferred, but not required.
• Extensive network of high‑level relationships in New York’s government, political, NGO, and philanthropy landscape.
• Comfort with and willingness to self‑motivate and challenge oneself in a hybrid or remote work environment.
• Willingness to work strange hours – including nights and weekends – during key junctures in the legislative session.
• Possess the ability to prioritize and respond timely to legislators and their staff, administrative officials, donors, affiliates, coalition partners, NRDC staff and the public.
• Familiarity with managing budgets, including prioritizing and reallocating funds to make the best use of limited resources for strategic purposes.
• Experience with…