Senior Manager, Government Relations

Job DescriptionPosition Summary:Audubon seeks a motivated, dynamic individual to develop and lead advocacy, projects, initiatives, and campaigns to advance Audubon’s policy priorities in California. The Senior Manager, Government Relations reports to Audubon California’s Director of Policy and closely coordinates with other state and national Audubon staff. In collaboration with the Policy Director, they will plan, implement, and achieve Audubon’s goals and objectives with the California state legislature, the governor’s office, and state agencies. The Senior Manager will oversee several projects related to Audubon’s legislative and state budget priorities, facilitate communication between Audubon staff and state agencies, and assist the Policy Director on issues of statewide concern, such as building reliable water supplies for birds and other wildlife, improving community and environmental resilience to climate change, and protecting threatened bird species and habitats. The Senior Manager will serve as Audubon’s point of contact with partners and coalitions working on state legislation and budget advocacy that overlaps with Audubon’s priorities. This position will manage contracts with external policy consultants and technical advisors as needed. Finally, the Senior Manager will provide expertise to senior leadership staff and Audubon chapter leaders regarding state legislature, budget opportunities and challenges.This position is an on-site position located at the Audubon Sacramento, California office.Compensation$95,000 - $110,000 / yearAdditional Job DescriptionEssential Functions• Set goals, plan and implement Audubon’s state legislative strategies, including tracking legislation, state budget, and other policy initiatives that affect Audubon’s priorities in California.• Represent Audubon California in the California State Capitol, before governmental agencies, and other decision-making bodies, including preparing and providing public presentations, testimony, and comments.• Strategize with Audubon’s communications team on external communications to advance our policy priorities and elevate Audubon’s presence in California, including to our chapters and members.• Identify how California’s programs goals can be advanced through legislative and government affairs in close collaboration with California staff.• In collaboration with Policy Director, play a lead role in liaising with National Audubon policy staff on policy issues that affect Audubon’s work in California.• Oversee external policy consultants and technical advisors, including developing contracts and managing their scope of work, deliverables, and performance.• Work closely with and provide leadership to diverse coalitions working on state policies, affecting conservation, environmental protection, environmental justice, and climate resilience; seek opportunities to grow and expand coalitions.• Provide policy technical expertise to Audubon California program staff, including the Conservation, Working Lands, Coasts, and Desert programs.• Identify potential state budget and agency funding opportunities for Audubon programs and programs that will advance Audubon priorities.• Track and monitor annual policy goals and outcomes.• Prepare and make verbal and written communications to external interested parties and the media on Audubon’s policy priorities.• Provide regular updates to California leadership on progress and outputs of our policy work.• Promote an organizational culture and structure that fosters cooperation, communication, collaboration, teamwork, equity and trust.Qualifications And Experience• Bachelor’s degree in policy, political science, environmental management or other relevant field preferred.• At least seven years of experience in California policy; experience working in Sacramento or before other legislative bodies. An equivalent combination of education and experience will also be considered.• Project management, including tracking project progress, reporting on outcomes, and writing reports.• Expert understanding of California state legislative processes, such as the annual legislative calendar, structure of committees, processes for introduction and consideration of legislation, etc.• Familiarity with appropriate state and federal agencies that interact regularly with Audubon priorities, such as the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and the California Department of Water Resources.• Demonstrated ability to build relationships with a broad diversity of stakeholders from different political and cultural perspectives.• Strong analytical and writing skills preferred.• A self-starter with the ability to work independently.• Willingness to occasionally work evenings and weekends as required.This position is represented by the Communication Workers of America (CWA).EEO StatementThe National Audubon Society is a federal contractor and an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. We are committed to a policy of nondiscrimination, inclusion and equal opportunity and actively seek a diverse pool of candidates in this search.Accessibility StatementThe National Audubon Society endeavors to keep our careers site accessible to any and all users. If you would like to contact us regarding the accessibility of our website or need assistance completing the application process, please contact Accommodations@audubon.org. This contact information is for accommodation requests only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of applications.