Wisconsin Government Relations Director

Madison, Wisconsin, USA

WI201

The mission of The Nature Conservancy (TNC) is to conserve the lands and waters upon which all life depends. As a science-based organization, we develop innovative, on-the-ground solutions to the world’s toughest environmental challenges so that people and nature can thrive. Our work is guided by our values, which include a commitment to diversity and respect for people, communities, and cultures. From a rewarding mission to career development and flexible schedules, there are many reasons to love life #insideTNC. Want to know more? Check out our TNC Talent playlist on YouTube to hear stories from staff or visit Glassdoor.

One of TNC’s primary goals is to cultivate an inclusive work environment so that employees around the globe have a sense of belonging and feel that their unique contributions are valued. We know we’ll only achieve our mission by hiring and engaging a diverse staff that reflects the communities in which we work. Recognizing that people bring talent and skills that have been developed outside the scope of a job, we take a holistic approach to recruitment that considers life experience in addition to the professional requirements listed in our postings. Please apply – we’d love to hear from you. To quote a popular saying at TNC, “you’ll join for the mission, and you’ll stay for the people.”

Nature unites us. That explains the success of The Nature Conservancy’s bipartisan approach, working with lawmakers, government agencies, businesses and community groups to achieve big wins for nature.

Effective and thoughtful public policy and funding is critical to conserving the lands and waters that will sustain life on Earth. Few other conservation strategies can achieve the scale needed to ensure that people and nature can thrive in the face of challenges like increased flooding, drought, and wildfires.

The Nature Conservancy’s bipartisan polls show consistently that no matter where they live or how they vote, people in Wisconsin want our elected leaders to invest our collective public dollars in effective, lasting and equitable land and water conservation.

When we are successful at providing our leaders with the information and inspiration they need to make the best decisions they can for nature and for people, everyone wins.

Your relationship-building skills, ability to understand political landscapes, issues and personalities (and take constructive action) and your proactive problem-solving approach can make a big difference for nature!

Working with elected leaders, government agencies and community/non-profit groups in select local, state and federal offices, you will advance public policy initiatives and help achieve shared global goals for land, water, wildlife and people. Your work will build on past Conservancy successes advocating and lobbying for conservation funding and policy related to state, national and multi-state issues in land and water protection, climate change, clean energy, biodiversity, regenerative agriculture, the Great Lakes and the Mississippi River.

You will also serve on the Wisconsin Chapter Leadership Team, supervise colleague(s) and support and engage volunteer leaders in select, focused advocacy.

As the Government Relations Director for The Nature Conservancy in Wisconsin, you'll build bridges and bipartisan relationships with influential elected officials, ranging from members of the Wisconsin Congressional delegation to state lawmakers and government agency representatives. Your role will be to champion the cause of conservation, developing comprehensive policy and legislative strategies in alignment with The Nature Conservancy's global objectives and mission. In this position, you'll not only work within TNC but also extend your reach by cultivating meaningful partnerships with external stakeholders.

Your mission includes safeguarding existing funding for conservation efforts while actively seeking opportunities to substantially increase public support for these vital initiatives. As an advocate for change, you'll be on the frontline of legislative advocacy – advancing positive outcomes in critical areas such as clean energy, clean water, biodiversity, habitat conservation, and climate action. Your commitment extends to attending public hearings and testifying at government and stakeholder meetings to ensure TNC’s voice and perspective are heard. You'll work alongside colleagues in TNC's Midwest Division, North America Policy and Government Relations Team, and on a global scale to further worldwide conservation priorities.

This is not just a job; it's a calling to make a significant positive impact for our conservation landscape and future generations.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in political science, environmental policy, business or related field and six years of direct experience with legislative and issue campaigns, lobbying elected officials, leading policy initiatives, and building diverse coalitions across political divides or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience working closely with federal and state legislative offices and lawmakers.
• Experience supervising others and coaching successful teams.
• Fluency in English.
• Experience preparing and presenting information to negotiate with government representatives, agencies, non-profit/community groups, business representatives, and coalitions.
• Excellent team player approach with experience working in multi-disciplinary groups, using interpersonal skills and listening.
• Experience taking the initiative to design, implement, and direct multi-faceted projects, setting deadlines, coordinating the work of other professionals inside and outside an organization, and ensuring program accountability.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Knowledge of federal and state legislative and rule making process and civil legal process.
• Ability to build a knowledge base and become familiar with a wide range of conservation policies and programs that constitute the TNC portfolio including, but not limited to, land and water conservation, climate change and energy policy, biodiversity, regenerative agriculture and real estate, and land management.
• Demonstrated relationship building skills, diplomacy and tact to build productive alliances with governments, businesses, partners, donors, volunteers and co-workers
• Proven written and verbal communication and presentation skills.

This description is not designed to be a complete list of all duties and responsibilities required for this job.

Since 1951, TNC has been doing work you can believe in. Through grassroots action, we have grown from a small non-profit into one of the most effective and wide-reaching environmental organizations in the world. Thanks to more than 1 million members, over 400 scientists, and the dedicated efforts of our diverse staff and partners, we impact conservation around the world!

TNC offers a competitive, comprehensive benefits package including health care benefits, flexible spending accounts, a 401(k) plan with an 8% employer match, parental leave, accrued paid time off, life insurance, disability coverage, employee assistance program, other life and work well-being benefits. Learn more about our benefits on our Culture Tab on nature.org/careers.

We’re proud to offer a flexible work environment that supports of the health and well-being of the people we employ.

This position requires a valid driver's license and compliance with TNC’s Auto Safety Program. Employees may not drive Conservancy-owned/leased vehicles, rental cars, or personal vehicles on behalf of the Conservancy if considered "high risk drivers." To learn more about the Auto Safety Program, visit https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/careers/recruitment/ under the FAQ section.

Employment in this position will be contingent upon completion of a Vehicle Use Agreement, which may include a review of the prospective employee's motor vehicle record.

The starting pay range for a candidate selected for this position is generally within the range of $106,320 - $119,610 for annual base salary. This range only applies to candidates whose country of employment is the USA. Where a successful candidate’s actual pay will fall within this range will be based on a variety of factors, including, for example, the candidate's location, qualifications, specific skills, and experience. Please note countries outside the USA would have a different pay range in the local currency based on the local labor market, and not tied to USA pay or ranges. Your geographic location will be confirmed during the recruitment.

This position will be based in the Madison or greater Milwaukee metropolitan areas with the potential for hybrid and/or remote work opportunities within the state of Wisconsin. The position requires working flexible hours as needed and travel throughout the state of Wisconsin and to Washington, DC (up to 25% of time).

To apply for job ID 54242, submit your materials online by 10:59PM CST on December 2, 2023 using the Apply Now button at https://careers.nature.org/. Need help applying? Visit our recruitment page or contact applyhelp@tnc.org.

The Nature Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our commitment to diversity includes the recognition that our conservation mission is best advanced by the leadership and contributions of people of diverse backgrounds, beliefs and culture. Recruiting and mentoring staff to create an inclusive organization that reflects our global character is a priority and we encourage applicants from all cultures, races, colors, religions, sexes, national or regional origins, ages, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity, military, protected veteran status or other status protected by law.

The successful applicant must meet the requirements of The Nature Conservancy's background screening process.

Do you have military experience? Visit our U.S. Military Skills Translator to match your military experience with our current job openings!

TNC is committed to offering accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application process. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please send a note to applyhelp@tnc.org with Request for Accommodation in the subject line.

An attractive salary and benefits package is part of TNC’s value proposition to our employees. TNC strives to provide competitive pay and bases salaries on the geographic location of the role committing to being equitable across groups and providing hiring salary ranges when possible.

Since we support flexible and remote work for our employees, many positions have a flexible location within countries where we’re registered as a Non-government Organization and established as an employer. This may mean we’re unable to provide a hiring salary range in the posting for some of our positions. However, candidates invited to be part of our interview process will be provided their location specific range upon request.