Director, Federal Legislation

Summary:

The Director of Federal Legislation is responsible for initiation, development, and execution of assigned legislative priorities that are aligned with the mission of the ASPCA. The Director will maintain regular contact with federal government officials, devise and implement strategies to support the organization’s legislative agenda and provide internal federal strategic leadership. The Director, in conjunction with the Vice-President of Federal Affairs, collaborates with government relations team members and other departments within the ASPCA to develop and implement legislative strategies/programs and supportive citizen outreach.

A cover letter is required to complete your application.

Responsibilities:

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

Policy Development/Strategy/Implementation (50%) 

• Identify, devise, initiate, and drive strategies outlined in well maintained bill plan and messaging documents to achieve legislative and regulatory goals for assigned issues, in consultation with the VP of Federal Affairs
• Drive policy efforts in conjunction with internal and external subject matter experts to ensure they advance larger ASPCA goals
• Build strong relationships with Congressional Offices and allied partners and collaborate with them to advance our policy goals
• Lobby federal legislators and their staff to drive our policy agenda 
• Direct and oversee research and draft advocacy materials, including letters, backgrounders, testimony, fact sheets, and other materials.
• Research, develop, and work with legislative counsel to draft legislation and regulations to strengthen legal protections for animals 
• Track, analyze, and research pending legislation related to animal welfare
• Work with Legal Advocacy colleagues to identify issues where legislative and regulatory work can be enhanced or supported through litigation and other legal strategies
• Collaborate with federal affairs and cross departmental teams, establish blueprint for strategic planning, including identification, development, and achievement of all federal goals   
• Initiate and participate in briefings, events, and panels to raise awareness and support our priority issues.
• Participate in regular internal and external meetings with other lobbyists, regulatory staff, Legislative Engagement, campaign colleagues, and interns 
• Work with relevant staff on filing federal lobbying reports, as needed

Communication and Outreach (40%):

• Intradepartmental Communication:
  • Lead regular conversations with colleagues and managers within the department regarding needed resources, significant updates, and coalition efforts related to policy reforms
  • Collaborate with the Legislative Engagement team to create outreach plans, update targets, and oversee plan implementation 
• Interdepartmental Communication:
  • Work closely with subject matter experts and LAI team to ensure strength of proposed legislation
  • Spearhead analysis, information-sharing, and cross-fertilization of work with internal experts
• Public Communication:
  • Coordinate with communications team regarding planning, needs, tools, and goals for assigned issue and legislation
  • Offer presentations, trainings, research projects, and updates on issues
  • Attend workshops, briefings, conferences, and meetings as needed
• Represent the ASPCA in a professional, courteous, and congenial manner at all times while advancing reforms

Special Projects (10%)

• Provide projects as needed for interns
• Participate in internal working groups as needed to facilitate policy development and provide guidance to other departments.
• Participate in planning for department’s involvement in national tradeshows and exhibits as needed.

Exemplifies the ASPCA’s Core Values:

• Has Commitment and dedication to improving the lives of animals
• Demonstrates Ownership and feels responsible for outcomes
• Believes in Team – that we are stronger together
• Seeks to Elevate others and reimagine what is possible
• Focuses on Impact, specifically making change for animals

Skill Requirements:

• Articulate and able to summarize issues and speak extemporaneously
• Strong interpersonal and negotiation skills
• Highly organized with acute attention to detail
• Strong writing and media skills
• Ability to prioritize responsibilities, multi-task, delegate, supervise others, manage time, and address time sensitive projects in a professional and responsible manner 

Additional Information:

• Commitment to work for animal protection
• Intensely driven to see positive change for animals
• Willingness and ability to travel nationally when needed
• Displays enthusiasm for teamwork and high levels of energy and tenacity
• Projects and responsibilities may be added or changed at the company's discretion

Compensation & Benefits:

Starting pay for the successful applicant will depend on a variety of factors, including but not limited to education, training, experience, location, business needs, internal equity, market demands or budgeted amount for the role. The target hiring range is for new hire offers only, and staff compensation may increase beyond the maximum hiring range based on performance over time. The maximum of the hiring range is reserved for candidates with the highest qualifications and relevant experience. The expected hiring salary range for this role is set forth below and may be modified in the future. 

The target hiring range for this role is $118,000 - $125,000 annually.

For more information on our benefits offerings, visit our website.

Stay Connected – Join our Talent Community:

If you are interested in joining our team but do not see a position listed that fits your experience or interests, please click this link and join our Talent Community to stay connected to future opportunities with the ASPCA.

Qualifications:

See above for qualifications details.

  

Language:

English (Required)

Education and Work Experience:

Bachelors (Required)

  

3+ years experience in federal legislative work, 3+ years experience with animal protection issues, 3+ years of experience in a large non-profit, legislative office, or government agency in the legal and/or government affairs department, Bachelor’s degree required, JD or graduate degree preferred

Our EEO Policy:

The ASPCA is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, gender, gender identity or expression, age, marital or domestic partner status, citizenship status, sexual orientation, disability, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws, regulations or ordinances.

Applicants with disabilities may be entitled to a reasonable accommodation under the terms of the Americans with Disabilities Act and certain state or local laws.  A reasonable accommodation is a change in the ASPCA’s standard application process, which will ensure an equal employment opportunity without imposing undue hardship on the ASPCA.  Please inform the ASPCA’s People Team if you need an accommodation in order to complete any forms or to otherwise participate in the application process.

Individuals seeking employment are considered without regards to race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, gender, gender identity or expression, age, marital or domestic partner status, citizenship status, sexual orientation, disability, genetic information, military or veteran status,  or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws, regulations or ordinances.

ASPCA is an Equal Opportunity Employer (M/F/D/V).

About Us:
The ASPCA was founded in 1866 on the belief that animals are entitled to kind and respectful treatment by humans and must be protected under the law. As a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation with more than two million supporters nationwide, the ASPCA is committed to preventing cruelty to dogs, cats, equines, and farm animals throughout the United States.

The ASPCA is headquartered in New York City, where we maintain a full-service animal hospital, spay/neuter clinic, mobile spay/neuter and primary pet care clinics, a rehabilitation center for canine victims of cruelty, kitten nursery, adoption center, and two community veterinary centers.

The ASPCA also operates programs and services that extend nationwide. We assist animals in need through on-the-ground disaster and cruelty interventions, behavioral rehabilitation, animal placement, legal and legislative advocacy, and the advancement of the sheltering and veterinary community through research, training, and resources.

At the ASPCA, we are committed to fostering a collaborative and compassionate culture and we welcome all voices to contribute to our lifesaving mission. Our staff represent a vast array of backgrounds and diversity dimensions, bringing with them valuable experiences and perspectives. They join the ASPCA to learn, grow, and continually do their best work on behalf of animals. We are inspired by our staff, partners, and the communities we support across the country who work to improve animal lives. We are committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion at the ASPCA because it elevates our organizational culture, aligns with our Core Values, and enables us to move further and faster toward the ASPCA’s vision – that all animals live good lives; valued by society, protected by its laws, and free from cruelty, pain and suffering.

Applicants that are residents of Colorado: Per CO Senate Bill 23-058, we cannot generally request or require any age-related information (i.e., age, DOB, attendance or graduation dates from an educational institution) on an initial employment application; this includes any age-related inquiries in the initial interview. We are permitted to require/request additional application materials; if those materials contain any age-related information, an applicant may redact the information before submitting an initial employment application.