World Wildlife Fund (WWF), one of the world’s leading conservation organizations, seeks a Director, U.S. Plastics Policy & Advocacy
Location: Washington D.C.
Reporting Structure: Reports to the Sr Director of Policy and Government Affairs
Position Length: Full Time, Regular
Work Authorization: This position is not eligible for employment visa or work authorization sponsorship.
Major Function
The Director serves as a lead of the Policy & Government Affairs (PGA) team’s plastics policy portfolio to deliver on U.S. government policy and advocacy strategies at the federal and state levels in support of WWF’s goal of No Plastic in Nature. The Director will work in close coordination with the Senior Director of Policy and Government Affairs and the Head of the WWF Plastics Integrated Program (based on the Private Sector Engagement team) and their respective teams involved in plastics policy and advocacy. The Director leads WWF’s work on plastic and materials related policy, helping set objectives and strategies on emerging issues and new approaches, and works to advance WWF’s conservation mission through policy development and strategic advocacy with U.S. government stakeholders on plastic and material production, waste, and pollution. The Director also executes WWF’s work on this topic, convening stakeholders, developing WWF positions and guidance, and engaging in direct advocacy in support of WWF’s plastic policy objectives, including through direct lobbying activities. Coordinates closely with other members of WWF’s Policy and Government Affairs team, including staff leading the implementation of state-level plastics policy advocacy and federal lobbying consultants, as well as the Private Sector Engagement’s Plastic & Materials Science team policy, and the Media and External Affairs team. Engages with policy and government affairs experts across external partner organizations, including relevant corporate partners, and collaborates and coordinates joint policy and advocacy efforts where strategic and appropriate. The Director develops strategies for key policy initiatives and works with the Policy & Government Affairs team and WWF’s Plastics Integrated Program to implement plans, manage relevant staff, and mentor team members. Acts as a key strategic resource for WWF’s No Plastic in Nature initiative. This position will report to the Senior Director for Policy and Government Affairs.
Salary: The expected compensation range for this position is $135,900 to $195,300.
Key Competencies
Interpersonal communication skills: Communicates clearly, effectively, and accurately with internal and external audiences, including government stakeholders in Congress and the Administration. Adapts communication style to the appropriate audience and understands the value of different communication and behavioral styles to build rapport and fosters positive relationships and collaboration. Translates technical information into clear and actionable policy recommendations for government stakeholders.Leadership and Advocacy: Skillfully and effectively advocates for policy positions and recommendations with external audiences, including with government stakeholders and as part of collaborative efforts with NGO partners. Demonstrates the ability to lead the development and implementation of successful advocacy strategies that achieve priority policy objectives, working effectively as part of a team and in coalition. Demonstrates a strong ability to influence, persuade, and negotiate effectively in order to advance WWF’s policy priorities with government and organizational partners.Initiative/Drive: Proactive in designing and implementing strategic plans to advance team and organizational goals and personal workplans, while maintaining broad awareness of emerging opportunities to deliver on WWF’s policy priorities, as well as emerging challenges. Independently motivated and demonstrates initiative and creativity in designing and implementing strategic plans to achieve PGA team priorities and deliver on personal workplans. Committed to WWF’s mission and delivering on team and individual goals.Collaboration and Inclusion: Fosters a culture of collaboration, internally within the PGA team, among teams contributing to the WWF Plastics Initiative, and across the organization more broadly, as well as externally with organizational and coalition partners and government stakeholders. Builds strong relationships and leverages these to advance WWF policy priorities and enhance WWF’s overall reputation and influence with strategic partners on a range of issues. Is an committed team player and defaults to inclusion, transparency, and collaboration within and across teams. Time management and accountability/follow through: Establishes and re-evaluates time-bound goals and workplans proactively, communicating to management and teammates regularly on their progress. Adaptively manages time and workload in an organized way to advance multiple workstreams and tasks simultaneously while prioritizing outreach, engagement, and relationship management with government stakeholders. Takes ownership of the work and delivering results in a way that builds credibility and trust among both internal colleagues and external partners.
Required Skills and Experience
A bachelor’s degree and a minimum of 10 years of relevant work experience in government or government affairs, environmental policy development and advocacy, material science policy and packaging sustainability, or other relevant focus. Or a graduate degree in a relevant field with at least 8 years of relevant work experience.Knowledge of current best practices for policy and legislation for circularity preferred. Familiarity with solid waste management challenges is a plus.Significant experience working for or advocating with U.S. federal agencies and/or Congress preferred.Excellent project management skills required and a proven ability to manage teams' functions and staff growth and development to expand beyond deliverables.Demonstrated intellectual curiosity and well-developed systems thinking, interpretive, and critical thinking skills.Proactive problem-solving and ability to build consensus and strengthen collaboration both internally and among diverse stakeholders.Good interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal. Ability to present technical topics to non-experts strongly preferred.Ability to work well with both senior- and mid-level Government officials, as well as WWF staff based both in the U.S. and internationally. Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite required.Fluency in English is required; international experience and additional language skills are a plus.Ability to conduct national and international travel.Committed to building and strengthening a culture of inclusion within and across teams.Identifies and aligns with WWF’s core values: COURAGE – We demonstrate courage through our actions, we work for change where it’s needed, and we inspire people and institutions to tackle the greatest threats to nature and the future of the planet, which is our home.INTEGRITY – We live the principles we call on others to meet. We act with integrity, accountability and transparency, and we rely on facts and science to guide us and to ensure that we learn and evolve.RESPECT – We honor the voices and knowledge of people and communities that we serve, and we work to secure their rights to a sustainable future.COLLABORATION – We deliver impact at the scale of the challenges we face through the power of collective action and innovation.
To Apply:
Submit cover letter and resume through our Careers Page, Requisition #25018Due to the high volume of applications we are not able to respond to inquiries via phone
As an EOE/AA employer, WWF will not discriminate in its employment practices due to an applicant’s race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability, or protected Veteran status. WWF values diversity and inclusion and welcomes diverse candidates to apply.