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Vice President of Federal Relations
TRUST FOR PUBLIC LAND
Since 1972, Trust for Public Land has been connecting everyone to the outdoors and to each other. From neighborhood parks to national parks, the organization has completed more than 5,000 projects, protected more than 3.5 million acres of land, helped to secure over 94 billion dollars of public funds for land protection and park creation, and inspired cities and towns nationwide to work to create a park or open space within a 10-minute walk of all their residents.
ROLE DESCRIPTION:
The Vice-President of Federal Relations has overall responsibility for development and execution of Trust for Public Land’s (TPL) federal policy agenda as well as oversight and management of the Federal Relations department. This is the opportunity to lead an active advocacy team that is driving a vigorous parks, public lands, and climate agenda with equity and community at its center.
The individual in this position will be TPL’s lead representative to Congress, the Administration, and DC-based stakeholders. They will possess the leadership, creative, and strategic skills necessary to effectively manage a dynamic professional team and to help the SVP, Policy Advocacy and Government Relations (PAGR) craft a successful policy and advocacy agenda. Importantly, they must possess the experience and skills enabling them to advocate successfully with Congress and the Executive Agencies on behalf of TPL.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
Shape and execute TPL's federal legislative strategy, including external engagement of stakeholders. Build and execute a robust, comprehensive federal government relations strategy, covering all federal government touch points. Drive TPL’s federal government agenda with a view toward both short-term and long-term benefit.
In coordination with the SVP, PAGR, set the vision, priorities, and strategy for this team.
As a full-time exempt employee, you will be eligible for Trust for Public Land’s comprehensive benefits program which includes medical, dental, and vision insurance, vacation, sick leave, and holidays. We also offer a 403(b)-retirement plan, currently with an up to 7% company match. We offer competitive salaries commensurate with experience; the hiring range for this position is $175,000 - $200,000.
Trust for Public Land’s active goal is to be an inclusive and equitable place to work and build community. As the organization actively works to eliminate racial and other disparities it welcomes candidates with diverse backgrounds and/or multicultural skillsets. We are open to the possibility that a great candidate for this job may not precisely meet all the above criteria; if you believe you are the right person for this job and can persuasively make that case, we encourage you to apply. Join a diverse team of dedicated and passionate people working toward a mission you can believe in— creating parks and protecting public land where they’re needed most so that everyone will have access to the benefits and joys of the outdoors for generations to come. .
Since 1972, Trust for Public Land has been connecting everyone to the outdoors and to each other. From neighborhood parks to national parks, the organization has completed more than 5,000 projects, protected more than 3.5 million acres of land, helped to secure over 94 billion dollars of public funds for land protection and park creation, and inspired cities and towns nationwide to work to create a park or open space within a 10-minute walk of all their residents.
ROLE DESCRIPTION:
The Vice-President of Federal Relations has overall responsibility for development and execution of Trust for Public Land’s (TPL) federal policy agenda as well as oversight and management of the Federal Relations department. This is the opportunity to lead an active advocacy team that is driving a vigorous parks, public lands, and climate agenda with equity and community at its center.
The individual in this position will be TPL’s lead representative to Congress, the Administration, and DC-based stakeholders. They will possess the leadership, creative, and strategic skills necessary to effectively manage a dynamic professional team and to help the SVP, Policy Advocacy and Government Relations (PAGR) craft a successful policy and advocacy agenda. Importantly, they must possess the experience and skills enabling them to advocate successfully with Congress and the Executive Agencies on behalf of TPL.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
Shape and execute TPL's federal legislative strategy, including external engagement of stakeholders. Build and execute a robust, comprehensive federal government relations strategy, covering all federal government touch points. Drive TPL’s federal government agenda with a view toward both short-term and long-term benefit.
In coordination with the SVP, PAGR, set the vision, priorities, and strategy for this team.
- Lead an internal team of 7 government relations professionals, including experts in land conservation, park equity, federal funding, lobbying, and external stakeholder management; including building individual annual work plans which detail activities and set measurable goals.
- Lobby Congress and Executive Agencies; maintain strong relationships with our partners and direct the progress of TPL policies and projects.
- Oversight of federal funding and policy advocacy for TPL priorities, including TPL and partner land, trail, and park projects. This will include managing a portfolio of land conservation projects.
- Work with Philanthropy to secure support for the Federal Relations Team’s work.
- Understand the motivations and drivers of TPL’s external stakeholders and their expectations for TPL. Create and maintain a dynamic mapping of impact areas from Congress, the Administration, and other external stakeholders; formulate and lead strategic relationships and opportunities for collaboration to meet broader TPL goals and to advance TPL’s reputation among external stakeholders.
- Devise and implement a coordinated approach to external communications for the Federal Relations department, including via media, web, print and conference selection and partner with communications team for content development to enhance TPL’s effectiveness.
- Coordinate internal communications to key departments and groups to facilitate broader understanding of the federal relations function at TPL through newsletters, onboarding initiatives and events with state offices.
- Collaborate with subject matter experts within TPL and external advisors and coalitions, including peer non-governmental organizations, local and regional environmental equity groups, outdoor recreation community members, think tanks, and academic institutions.
- Manage the Federal Relations budget which includes selection and direction of external advisors, including lobbying firms, and more.
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience required.
- Minimum of 10 years in federal government relations with at least 5 years management/supervisory and stakeholder engagement experience.
- Demonstrated senior-level experience with federal legislative and agency processes; extensive experience on Capitol Hill or in the Executive Branch preferred.
- Hands-on experience in legislative strategy, lobbying, and external stakeholder engagement.
- Demonstrated management experience; ability to motivate professional staff and build healthy team culture.
- Ability to establish strong relationships with government officials and other partners; demonstrated strategic advocacy skills.
As a full-time exempt employee, you will be eligible for Trust for Public Land’s comprehensive benefits program which includes medical, dental, and vision insurance, vacation, sick leave, and holidays. We also offer a 403(b)-retirement plan, currently with an up to 7% company match. We offer competitive salaries commensurate with experience; the hiring range for this position is $175,000 - $200,000.
Trust for Public Land’s active goal is to be an inclusive and equitable place to work and build community. As the organization actively works to eliminate racial and other disparities it welcomes candidates with diverse backgrounds and/or multicultural skillsets. We are open to the possibility that a great candidate for this job may not precisely meet all the above criteria; if you believe you are the right person for this job and can persuasively make that case, we encourage you to apply. Join a diverse team of dedicated and passionate people working toward a mission you can believe in— creating parks and protecting public land where they’re needed most so that everyone will have access to the benefits and joys of the outdoors for generations to come. .
