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DEFENDERS OF WILDLIFE

POSITION DESCRIPTION

JOB TITLE: Director of National Outreach

SALARY: $103,000 - $129,000

FLSA: Exempt

DEPARTMENT: Government Relations

REPORTS TO: Vice President, Government Relations

NUMBER OF DIRECT/INDIRECT REPORTS: 1

LAST REVISED: May 2025

POSITION SUMMARY

The Director of National Outreach is responsible for the strategic development, management and implementation of Defenders of Wildlife’s national advocacy outreach program, including supervision of national outreach team members. The director provides advice and support on the development of advocacy campaign plans to implement Defenders’ legislative and policy priorities. Additionally, the director is responsible for building, engaging, and mobilizing a wide-bench of wildlife supporters and collaborating with external organizations to increase long-term support for wildlife conservation nationally and in key states and congressional districts.

The Director will lead the development of short-term and long-term priority campaign plans to advance federal policies that benefit wildlife at the national level, as well as in targeted states and congressional districts. The role involves strengthening the impact of the Wildlife Defenders activist network and identifying and utilizing the best advocacy tools to orchestrate sustained and rapid response pressure from constituents on key members of Congress. Additionally, the Director will develop and implement accountability tactics for both Congress and the Executive Branch while organizing Defenders’ participation in Capitol Hill lobby days, rallies, events, and public comment meetings.

The position requires extensive ongoing collaboration with multiple departments within Defenders, its supporters, and coalition partners.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

+ Works with the Vice President of Government Relations, appropriate program Vice Presidents and staff to lead and implement a national advocacy outreach program, including metrics to measure the effectiveness of the program.

+ Grows, cultivates, and mobilizes Wildlife Defenders activist network through innovative recruitment strategies, informational webinars, and ongoing advocacy opportunities.

+ Strategically increase support for wildlife in states and congressional districts through Capitol Hill constituent fly-ins, regional partnerships with leading organizations in target areas, and the hiring and management of temporary organizers.

+ Rapidly mobilize Defenders’ constituency including its Wildlife Defenders, over two million members and supporters, and Phone2Action network to express timely constituent support for Defenders’ issue priorities to key policymakers.

+ Organizes special events for activist mobilization as well as organizational visibility on Capitol Hill for grassroots and grasstops activists, Defenders’ Board members, and partner organizations.

+ Works with the Vice President of Government Relations and the designated leads for priority legislative campaigns to help write integrated campaign plans for priority issues, and carry out and oversee the outreach components of the campaigns where appropriate.

+ Collaborates with relevant internal departments including Species Conservation, Marketing, and Communications to develop strategies for generating earned media to advance Defenders’ issue priorities, hold elected officials accountable, and strengthen regional support for wildlife conservation.

+ Manages and/or coordinates projects involving the use of e-mail action alerts, patch-through calls, regional political consultants and other legislative advocacy tools; hire and supervise associated vendors, firms, organizations and individuals, as necessary.

+ Directs the development of appropriate grassroots campaign materials such as talking points, factsheets, web content, and multi-media presentations.

+ Educates and mobilizing Defenders’ existing regional activist and donor constituencies

+ Represents Defenders in coalitions, public meetings, and conferences to build relationships with existing state and local groups to advance Defenders’ legislative goals.

+ Develops short- and long-range operating objectives, organizational structure, and staffing requirements consistent with strategic planning priorities and available funding.

+ Develops and recommends departmental budget.

+ Ensures optimum performance and efficacy of the outreach program. Recommend and implement techniques to improve productivity, increase efficiencies, cut costs and maintain state-of-the-art practices.

+ Recommends, reviews and approves employment actions, including interviewing, hiring, promotions and raises, in conjunction with Human Resources.

+ Partners with Human Resources in the handling of disciplinary issues.

+ Ensures clear communication of duties and responsibilities to direct reports, develops metrics to measure performance and monitor performances; provides regular coaching; identifies training needs; prepares and delivers salary and performance reviews; reviews and approves performance and salary appraisals as necessary.

+ Stays current on legislative and administrative issues of priority interest to Defenders.

+ Travels to facilitate internal management and coordination, and effective engagement and mobilization of Defenders’ activists and supporters.

+ Manages associated financial and budgetary matters.

+ Perform all other related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education: Bachelor’s (B.A./B.S.) degree or equivalent

Experience: 8 years of relevant experience; 1 year supervisory experience

An equivalent combination of education and experience may be accepted as a satisfactory substitute for the specific education and experience listed above.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities for All Defenders

https://defenders.org/knowledge-skills-and-abilities

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities for Director of National Outreach

+ Ability to represent Defenders to external entities and the public in a professional manner while exercising tact, diplomacy, and discretion.

+ Demonstrate a willingness and ability to productively engage and collaborate with internal and external stakeholders from different cultures, backgrounds, and perspectives

+ Excellent verbal and written communications skills and strong interpersonal skills.

+ Analytical, strategic and problem-solving skills with the ability to function independently and as part of a team.

+ Strong knowledge of wildlife conservation issues.

+ Ability to articulate complex ideas clearly, accurately and concisely

PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES, ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS, PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Physical Activities

Check all that apply

Frequency

(N)Never, (O)Occasionally or (C)Constantly

Ascending or descending ladders, stairs, scaffolding, ramps, poles and the like.

Moving self in different positions to accomplish tasks in various environments including tight and confined spaces.

Remaining in a stationary position, often standing or sitting for prolonged periods.

Moving about to accomplish tasks or moving from one worksite to another.

Adjusting or moving objects up to 10 pounds in all directions.

Communicating with others to exchange information.

Repeating motions that may include the wrists, hands and/or fingers.

Operating machinery and/or power tools.

Operating motor vehicles or heavy equipment.

Assessing the accuracy, neatness and thoroughness of the work assigned.

Environmental Conditions

Check all that apply

Frequency

(N)Never, (O)Occasionally or (C)Constantly

Low temperatures.

High temperatures.

Outdoor elements such as precipitation and wind.

Noisy environments.

Hazardous conditions.

Poor ventilation.

Small and/or enclosed spaces.

No adverse environmental conditions expected.

Physical Demands

Check only one

Sedentary work that primarily involves sitting/standing.

Light work that includes moving objects up to 20 pounds.

Medium work that includes moving objects up to 50 pounds.

Heavy work that includes moving objects up to 100 pounds or more.

Visit www.defenders.org to apply.

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 accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

Defenders of Wildlife provides equal employment opportunity to all qualified individuals without regard to their race, color, ethnicity, religion, national origin, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy, age, genetic information, disability, veterans' status or and any other legally protected class, characteristic or trait per applicable federal, state, or local law.

Please be advised this position is non union-eligible.