Director of Affiliate Leadership

Founded in 1936, the National Wildlife Federation has grown into America's largest and most trusted grassroots conservation organization with 52 state/territorial affiliates and more than six million members and supporters, including hunters, anglers, gardeners, birders, hikers, campers, paddlers, and outdoor enthusiasts of all ages and stripes. The mission of the National Wildlife Federation is to unite all Americans to ensure wildlife thrive in our rapidly changing world. We advance this mission through programming focused on conserving wildlife, restoring habitats and waterways, expanding outdoor opportunities, connecting children with nature, advancing environmental justice, and addressing the causes and consequences of climate change.

We are truly a Federation, with 52 independent state and territorial organizations that govern our national organization, set our policy priorities, and work in communities to create a force-multiplier effect for conservation. The One Federation concept reinforces that as a strong, cohesive and collaborative Federation, we achieve significantly greater results for wildlife and people. 

To support our mission and the strength of the Federation, we are seeking a Director of Affiliate Leadership to join our Affiliate Partnerships / One Federation team. In this position, you will foster/ensure leadership growth among our 52 Affiliates that comprise the Federation and the national organization, helping position Affiliates as influential and effective voices within the Federation and the broader conservation movement.  

You will play a critical role in strengthening the capacity, skill, diversity and experience of Affiliate leaders and other conservation leaders across the Federation as an essential part of implementing NWF’s strategic plan and One Federation Foundation. As part of that capacity building, you will have a lead role in the planning of the Federation’s Annual Meeting. You will also provide senior level strategy around key policy priorities shared by NWF and our Affiliates. 

Principle Duties (major areas of responsibility): 

Relationship Development and Support Flowing from One Federation Foundation strategies within NWF’s strategic plan, you will work with the Directors of Conservation Partnerships (DCPs) and NWF’s Director of Learning and Development to design and deliver opportunities that support professional development among Affiliates and their partners, and foster strong NWF-Affiliate and Affiliate-to-Affiliate networks. Activities include: 

• In collaboration with our DCPs, identify a priority set of broad-based Affiliate and partner capacity needs. 
• In collaboration with the Affiliate Partnerships team, develop webinars, presentations, onboarding and capacity-building training, that aligns with priorities identified by DCPs and Affiliates. 
• Engage with the NWF’s Director of Learning and Development to identify and provide skill-building opportunities for DCPs. 
• With Affiliate Partnerships team and Affiliate volunteers, design and execute 1-2 Affiliate Leaders’ meetings per year. 
• Working with the Affiliate Equity and Justice workgroup, partner with Affiliates to develop and implement strategies that enhance and achieve their diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice goals. 
• Build the comprehensive roadmap for professional development initiatives included within the One Federation Foundation of NWF’s strategic plan and ensure the One Federation concept and strategies are integrated into all Affiliate and NWF staff capacity building approaches.  

NWF Annual Meeting:  

National Wildlife Federation’s Annual Meeting is an Affiliate-focused event that constitutes a broad gathering of conservation and wildlife advocates across the nation. In support of this key event you will:   

• Collaborate to lead in the organization and development of the Federation’s Annual Meeting.  
• Collaborate with other primary stakeholders and teams in the design and planning of the Annual Meeting.  
• Oversee the development of programs and materials, and setting the annual theme.  
• Lead the fundraising efforts to meet targets set with the Vice President for One Federation for each year. 

Education and Advocacy Provide high-level strategy support for Affiliates and NWF staff, centered on advancing NWF’s strategic plan and Affiliate-adopted conservation policy resolutions through harnessing and activating the power of One Federation. Responsibilities in this area include: 

• In collaboration with NWF policy and campaigns teams, identify and support Affiliate partnership development to advance NWF’s National Policy Agenda.  
• Develop and support collaborative strategies on relevant state-level legislation and ballot initiatives. 
• Provide education and technical assistance to strengthen Affiliates’ advocacy capacity to achieve shared policy goals.  

Qualifications: 

• A strong foundation in wildlife conservation, environmental, sustainability, and/or environmental justice principles and practices through their educational background and/or professional experience in conservation, science, public policy, nonprofit development or a related field. 
• The ideal candidate has 7+ years’ experience in a leadership role with a successful nonprofit organization or equivalent experience, including a proven track record in event management and fundraising experience. 
• A proven track record in developing nonprofit leaders. 
• Superior project management skills  
• Experience working with communities, agencies, decision-makers and other partners to adopt innovative conservation and wildlife policy and programs. 
• Experience working with state or local conservation organizations. 
• Ability to develop strong authentic relationships quickly across all dimensions of diversity. 
• Emotionally intelligent in order to develop strong working relationships across teams and with a variety of stakeholders and diverse internal and external partners. 
• Displays mature judgement in a fast-paced, ever-changing work environment,  
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, facilitation, and organizational skills. 
• Strong understanding of Microsoft Excel and other Microsoft Office Suite applications, experience with budgeting tools preferred. 
• Able to understand and contribute to the diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives set forth by NWF. 

NWF Values:

Your actions are expected to reflect the staff values of the National Wildlife Federation: collaboration, mindfulness, empowerment, inclusivity, and mission focus.  Your competencies should include:

• Being motivated by values of equity and responsibility to those most marginalized;
• Consistently bringing a high level of empathy and social skills to work and interpersonal interactions;
• Being committed to deepening an environmental justice approach in policy priorities, program development and partner engagement;
• Actively seeks feedback, direction, and guidance from all team members and keeps staff informed of decisions that impact them;
• Being dedicated to advancing NWF’s internal equity transformation and compelling partners and allies to incorporate equity into their work; and
• Passion for and commitment to NWF's mission

Physical Requirements of the Job:

Remaining in a normal seated or standing position for extended periods; reaching and grasping by extending hand(s) or arm(s); dexterity to manipulate objects with fingers, for example, using a keyboard; communication skills using the spoken word; ability to see and hear within normal parameters; ability to move about the workspace. The position requires mobility, including moving materials weighing up to several pounds (such as a laptop computer or tablet).   

Persons with disabilities may be able to perform the essential duties of this position with reasonable accommodation. Requests for reasonable accommodation will be evaluated on an individual basis.  

Please Note:  

This job description sets forth the job’s principal duties, responsibilities, and requirements; it should not be construed as an exhaustive statement, however.  Unless they begin with the word “may,” the Essential Duties and Responsibilities described above are “essential functions” of the job, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act. 

Travel Requirements: 

There will be required travel throughout the year to attend staff/Affiliate/board meetings, and to provide facilitation and/or trainings as needed (12-20 trips per year).

Location and Work Mode: 

The National Wildlife Federation is committed to a flexible and empowered work environment with an authentic community of care for all staff. In this position, the employee may work in the office, in a hybrid manner, or fully remote, to be decided jointly with their supervisor in the final stages of the interview process. For more information on Work Modes, please review the benefits section of our careers page: https://www.nwf.org/About-Us/Careers 

Compensation and Benefits:

The salary range for this position is $82,000 - $95,000, commensurate with experience.

We are proud of our designation by Mogul as a Top 100 Workplace with the Best Benefits, and by Forbes as one of America’s best small employers!  We value work-life balance and a family-friendly atmosphere with flexible scheduling.  We want you to be able to integrate work and personal life with attention to your self-care, so that your work schedule is not depleting.  We offer benefits so you feel restored and fueled through the day and week.

We offer these supports to help manage your mental, emotional, and physical health: 

• Paid time off: Vacation that starts off at three weeks accrual, unlimited wellbeing (this time can be used for physical, spiritual, emotional, cultural, religious or financial wellbeing for yourself, a partner, or family member – including pets), and 10 holidays.
• We close down for a paid winter break between December 25 to January 1 to recognize end of-year stress, and time for reflection, rejuvenation, and spending time with family.
• Up to 16 weeks of fully paid Family and Medical Leave
• Low-cost health, dental, and vision insurance options – all outpatient mental health is covered at in-network rates
• Therapist available at no cost
• Pet insurance and discount perk program
• Annual wellbeing allowance

In addition to your salary, we offer the following supports to your personal finances:

• Retirement plan with immediate match and vesting
• Annual year end retirement contribution
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Adoption and Surrogacy assistance
• Pet adoption stipend
• Student Loan management

Applicants are invited to learn more about National Wildlife Federation’s benefits package at https://www.nwf.org/About-Us/Careers.

Application:

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Candidates should submit a cover letter and resume.

We strive to increase diversity, equity, inclusion and justice (DEIJ) in all elements of our work and with our partners to support the interdependent needs of wildlife and people in a rapidly changing world. We recruit, employ, train compensate, and promote regardless of race, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity (including gender nonconformity and status as a transgender individual), age, physical or mental disability, citizenship, genetic information, past, current, or prospective service in the uniformed services, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. Applicants are invited to learn more about National Wildlife Federation’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion at nwf.org/equity.

We recognize that people come with a wealth of knowledge and talent beyond just the technical requirements of a job. Your experience, which may include paid and unpaid work, including volunteer work, helps build the competencies and knowledge that translates to our openings. Whether you’re new to the field, returning to work after a gap in your employment, or are taking the next step in your career path, if you believe you could excel in this role we encourage you to apply! Diversity of experience and skills combined with passion is a key to innovation and a culture of excellence. To be eligible for this role you must be a U.S. citizen or have valid work authorization to work in the U.S

Please let us know if you require accommodations during the application or interview process by reaching us at hrhelp@nwf.org  or 703-438-6244.

If selected for this position, a background check will be conducted.