|
Defenders of Wildlife
Senior Vice President for External Affairs
Defenders of Wildlife is seeking to recruit a dynamic leader
to serve as Senior Vice President for External Affairs.
About Defenders of Wildlife
Founded in 1947, Defenders of Wildlife is a national
conservation organization focused solely on wildlife and habitat
conservation and the safeguarding of biodiversity. Defenders of
Wildlife is celebrating 75 years of protecting all native
animals and plants in their natural communities. With a
nationwide network of approximately 2.2 million members and
activists, Defenders of Wildlife is a leading advocate for
innovative solutions to safeguard our wildlife heritage.
This singular focus defines the organization’s important niche
in the environmental and conservation community. It serves as
the anchor for the organizational values and the touchstone for
the commitments they make to each other, supporters, and North
America’s wildlife. Defenders of Wildlife’s approach is direct
and straightforward: protect and restore imperiled species
throughout North America by safeguarding and transforming
policies and institutions and promoting innovative solutions
that protect wildlife. Defenders of Wildlife speaks with one
voice informed by scientific, legal and policy expertise,
hands-on wildlife management experience and effective advocacy.
By building on an integrated and focused strategy, Defenders of
Wildlife will make a lasting difference for wildlife and their
habitats for generations to come.
For more information on Defenders of Wildlife, please visit:
https://defenders.org.
Senior Vice President for
External Affairs
The Senior Vice President for External Affairs is a newly
created leadership position at Defenders of Wildlife. The Senior
Vice President will align the external facing activities of the
organization to optimize the impact of Defenders of Wildlife as
a cutting-edge conservation organization committed to North
American biodiversity conservation.
The Senior Vice President will provide leadership and oversight
of the government relations, marketing and communications
departments and support each department in implementing its
specific goals and in ushering an integrated approach to
expanding Defenders of Wildlife’s external engagement with its
members, policy and philanthropic leaders, and the public
at-large. The Senior Vice President for External Affairs will
work closely with the President and CEO, guiding and
strategically leveraging the CEO’s leadership profile,
expertise, and impact.
The Senior Vice President has three senior direct reports – Vice
President for Government Relations, Vice President for
Integrated Marketing, and Vice President for Communications -
and oversees a professional staff of approximately 50. The
Integrated Marketing department is responsible for generating
$17 million in gross unrestricted revenue. The position is based
in Washington, DC.
The strategic goals for the Senior Vice President for External
Affairs, include:
-
Provide strategic input and advise the President & CEO in
all facets of expanding the impact of Defenders of Wildlife’s
vision, mission, and strategic goals.
-
Support and oversee the Vice President for Integrated
Marketing and Vice President for Communications, develop brand
and marketing strategies to enhance Defenders of Wildlife’s
external stakeholder engagement.
-
Support and oversee the Vice President for Government
Relations in execution of the legislative strategies and
messages to enhance Defenders of Wildlife’s government relations
goals.
-
Coordinate with Defenders of Wildlife’s philanthropy
department in the development and implementation of new
strategies and tactics to develop new philanthropic
opportunities for the organization.
Professional Qualifications
and Personal Attributes
The ideal candidate is a successful strategic communications and
marketing professional with a demonstrated track record of success
in a fast-paced advocacy and media relations environment. The ideal
professional qualifications and personal attributes the Senior Vice
President for External Affairs ought to possess are the following:
Professional Experience:
-
Demonstrated leadership of 20 years of relevant experience, with a
proven record of success and experience managing a dedicated team of
senior professionals.
-
Experience and knowledge in using coalitions and multi-faceted
strategic grassroots and advocacy campaigns, engagement with federal
and state public policy highly preferred.
-
Proven understanding and experience working with a broad spectrum
of media relations, multimedia, and digital content.
-
Ability to represent an organization before many audiences and in
a wide range of situations.
-
Demonstrated experience in financial analysis and exposure to
fundraising activities (online, major donor, institutional
philanthropy).
-
Experience working to maintain the brand value of a company,
including crisis communications or other tactics required to
mitigate reputational risks.
-
Bachelor’s Degree or higher in a relevant area of expertise.
Personal Attributes
-
A commitment to the mission of Defenders of Wildlife and a
demonstrated passion for wildlife and habitat conservation.
-
A management style that is collaborative and goal oriented, but
flexible; that respects the capabilities and independence of staff
and provides them with a clear sense of direction.
-
Commitment to results and an outstanding problem-solver.
-
Collegial, trustworthy, and possessing the highest level of
personal and professional integrity.
-
Excellent verbal and written communications skills, including
effective presentation and negotiation skills.
-
A team builder who inspires collaboration; demonstrated success in
collaborative work with internal colleagues as well as external
ones.
Compensation
Compensation for the Senior Vice President for External Affairs
includes a starting salary range between $228,000 - $252,000, and an
excellent package of health and employee benefits.
How to Apply
Interested candidates should submit a resume and cover letter,
responding specifically to the experience and qualifications
required, to Daniel Sherman, President, Explore Company at
resumes@explorecompany.com. Refer to DW/SVPEA in the subject line.
No phone inquiries please.
All employees are required to satisfactorily perform the essential
duties and responsibilities of their positions. The essential duties
and responsibilities listed above are not intended to be construed
as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills
required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals
with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.
Defenders of Wildlife requires employees who engage in in-person
work activities, including business travel or onsite work, to be
fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
An applicant (i) who is disabled or pregnant or who has a qualifying
medical condition that contraindicates a COVID-19 vaccination or
(ii) who objects to being vaccinated on the basis of a sincerely
held religious belief, observance or practice may request an
exemption from this vaccination policy.
This determination will be made on a case-by-case basis and in
accordance with applicable law. Any medical information concerning
an applicant's disability will be treated as a confidential medical
record in compliance with applicable federal, state and local laws.
Defenders of Wildlife provides equal employment opportunity to all
qualified individuals without regard to their race, color, creed,
religion, sex national origin, ethnicity, age, physical or mental
disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or
expression, marital status, personal appearance, family/parental
status, matriculation, political affiliation, genetic information,
or any other legally protected characteristic in all personnel
actions.
All correspondence will remain confidential.
Download This Job Posting |
