Chief Government & Public Affairs Strategist

Seattle Aquarium; Mission (KS); Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

The Seattle Aquarium is seeking a Vice President of Government and Public Affairs to lead its government relations, public funding strategy, and regional partnerships.

Reporting to the President & CEO and serving on the executive team, the VP will shape policy engagement, coordinate capital development efforts, and align public priorities with the Aquarium's mission to conserve oceans and expand regional impact.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience developing and managing government affairs across local, state, and federal levels.
• Proven track record in securing public funding and building civic partnerships.
• Strong strategic planning and executive leadership abilities.
• Ability to align conservation objectives with public priorities.

Responsibilities

• Lead the government and public affairs strategy for the Seattle Aquarium.
• Build long-term partnerships with government agencies and civic partners.
• Oversee public funding initiatives and capital development projects.
• Direct and mentor a government affairs team.
• Represent the Aquarium in interactions with elected officials.

Skills

Public affairs strategy

Stakeholder relationship management

Government affairs

Strategic leadership

Job description

Salary Range: $180,000.00 To $210,000.00 Annually

Job Posting

Vice President of Government and Public Affairs

Department: Administration
Reports to: President & CEO
Status: Fulltime, Salaried, Benefited

Position Overview

The Seattle Aquarium, a leading marine conservation organization, is looking for a Vice President of Government and Public Affairs to lead the Aquarium’s government and public affairs strategy and strengthen the long-term public-sector partnerships and investment that support its mission, growth, and regional impact.

Reporting to the President & CEO and serving as a member of the executive leadership team, this role leads government and public affairs related to the Aquarium as an institution, including public funding, civic partnerships, capital investment, and government relationships, while partnering with the Aquarium's conservation leaders on matters where institutional and conservation priorities intersect.

This position is accountable for building the conditions under which the Aquarium is consistently supported through predictable, multi-year public funding and is fully integrated into regional priorities related to conservation, education, tourism, and economic development. The Vice President works to ensure the Aquarium is understood and valued by public-sector partners not as a discretionary attraction, but as a core public asset that delivers measurable community benefit now and for the future.

Serving as the Aquarium’s primary liaison to government leaders and agencies, the Vice President cultivates long-term partnerships that translate into sustained investment, strong budget positioning, and resilience across political and economic cycles. The role requires a deep understanding of public funding systems, regional governance, and the ability to align the Aquarium’s mission and programs with public priorities in ways that drive enduring support.

In partnership with the President & CEO and executive leadership team, the Vice President also leads strategic initiatives that advance the Aquarium’s long-term growth, including capital development, public-private partnerships, and cross-sector collaborations. Through this work, the role ensures that public investment is not only secured, but effectively leveraged to expand the Aquarium’s conservation impact, access, and relevance across the region.

As a member of the Aquarium’s executive team, this role will be involved or lead projects and initiatives that may involve various stakeholders, including aquarium staff, board, or third-party partners.

In addition, this role will lead the creation of a government and public affairs team, which will support the strategy, execution, and relationships management central to the success of this function.

Through this critical body of work, the Vice President will improve organizational sustainability and oversee significant growth in public sector support, allowing the Aquarium to inspire more people to act on behalf of the ocean.

Essential Functions:

• In consultation with the Aquarium executives, key staff and lobbying team, the VP of government affairs plans and executes a comprehensive, proactive government affairs strategy that advances the Aquarium’s conservation mission and business objectives with local, regional, state, and federal elected officials.Acts as a trusted strategic advisor to the president/CEO and the board on government affairs, public investment, civic relationships, and emerging opportunities or risks.
• May lead a team of professionals responsible for designing and executing on the Aquarium’s government affairs strategy.
• Aligns activities of the Government Affairs team to the Aquarium’s strategic plan, strategic objectives and annual work plans.
• Directs and manages projects and strategic initiatives from idea through implementation.
• Facilitates strategic collaborative projects among key members across the Aquarium and with external stakeholders.
• Serve as a key Aquarium liaison to elected officials at all levels.
• Oversee the development of materials in support of the Aquarium’s major institutional strategic initiatives and government relations agenda.
• Participate in task forces, strategic initiatives, stretch assignments and collaboration opportunities with other departments.
• Research, pursue, and organize public funding sources and other program resources to support the Aquarium’s work in coordination with Aquarium leadership.
• Build coalitions of civic, community, nonprofit, business, and government partners to advance shared priorities and strengthen support for the Aquarium.
• Manages outside lobbyist relationships
• Provide briefings and updates to the Board of Directors on government funding initiatives and relationships.
• Support Board members in engaging appropriately with civic and government partners when beneficial to organizational priorities.
• All Aquarium staff and volunteers are expected to participate in advancing and integrating into their work Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Regenerative practices in alignment with our
• S.A.L.I.S.H. Values.
• Meet and exceed leadership expectations:
  • Lead by example
  • Mission/vision alignment
  • Accountability
  • Communication
  • Inclusion and accessibility
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: The skills and abilities listed below may be demonstrated through a combination of relevant cultural and community programs, jobs, internships, volunteer experience, and/or formal or informal education. If you meet some of the requirements and you are passionate about our mission and our ocean, we encourage you to apply and look forward to learning more about you.

• An expert understanding of local and regional government and proven track record of developing and maintaining effective relationships with elected officials, government staff, agencies, and civic partners. Experience with City of Seattle and/or King County government is highly valued.
• The ability to contribute as part of a strong and collaborative executive leadership team.
• Exceptional ability to build and work with teams, develop relationships with employees at all levels of the organization and perform in a broad range of environments.
• Excellent analytical, organizational, planning, and problem-solving skills with ability to prioritize, drive and complete multiple projects under stringent deadlines and respond to changing priorities.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced nonprofit environment, use independent judgment and produce a great volume of high-quality work product with limited staff/financial resources and within tight time constraints.
• An excellent problem solver with the ability to anticipate challenges, take initiative and provide solutions.
• Agency, contractor, and freelance relationship management experience.
• Strong presentation skills including the ability to interpret and present information effectively.
• Excellent verbal, writing and editing skills.

Experience, education and certifications:We will consider various combinations of relevant experience and education in order to meet minimum requirements.

• B.S./B.A. degree in political science, communications, public relations. business, or related field. Note: Will consider type and length of experience in lieu of a degree.
• Minimum of 10 yearsof increasingly senior experience in government affairs, government service, public affairs, civic partnerships, or a related field, including successfully managing complex, multifaceted projects and programs.
• Demonstrated experience developing or advancing public funding strategies, such as operating support, capital appropriations, levies, grants, or other government funding mechanisms.
• Knowledge of local politics and experience working in various levels of government.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and to manage diverse stakeholders across an organization to achieve expected outcomes.
• Ability to think strategically and consider various perspectives; comfortable moving between strategies and tactics.
• Highly organized and detail oriented to create, track and process multiple projects.
• An understanding of capital campaigns and public/private partnerships (preferred).
• Experience with nonprofit and/or fundraising campaigns (preferred).
• Proficient in relevant office technologies.

Salary and benefits: $ 180,000 - $210,000 per year. Dependent on experience.Please include salary expectations in your application materials. Full-time staff are eligible for the Seattle Aquarium’s comprehensive benefits package to include medical, vision, dental, an employer-funded health reimbursement account, medical and dependent care flexible spending accounts, life insurance, long-term disability, 403b retirement fund with employer match, access to a subsidized ORCA pass, a Seattle Aquarium Family Plus membership and generous paid time off.

How to apply:The Seattle Aquarium is committed to expanding a diverse, equitable, and inclusive conservation movement. We are invested in building an Aquarium with a wide variety of backgrounds, identities, languages, cultural ways of knowing, and life experiences. We know research shows that society has conditioned communities of color, trans and gender non-conforming people, immigrants, people with disabilities, and other marginalized candidates to more frequently not apply to a job because they don’t feel that they meet all of the qualifications listed even if they are qualified. If you meet some of the requirements and you are passionate about our mission and our ocean, we encourage you to apply and look forward to learning more about you.

This role will remain open until it is filled. For priority consideration, candidates are encouraged to apply by October 14th, 2026. Candidate materials will be reviewed on an ongoing basis.

To be considered, please submit a resume and cover letter through the application link. Cover letters may be addressed to Meg McCann, President & CEO.

Interested candidates should upload a résumé to our online application to be considered. Application review will begin immediately.

Please let us know if you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for this job by emailing us at [e-mail] .

Note:If offered the position, candidates must pass a background check. Conviction record is not an automatic disqualifier; we are a second chance employer.

About the Seattle Aquarium:The Seattle Aquarium is a respected authority on Puget Sound, the Salish Sea and the world’s one ocean. Our team increases awareness and drives the change needed to preserve and protect our marine environment by providing excellent care and wellbeing for over 5,000 animals to create an inspiring visitor experience, offer engaging daytime and evening events, conservation education programs for people of all ages and backgrounds, community outreach to marginalized populations, research that advances understanding of animals in our care and their counterparts in the wild, advocacy and policy work, an award-winning volunteer program, high-impact marketing and communications, and more.

Our values, developed in conjunction with our staff, include commitments to adopting and promoting sustainable practices, creating awe-inspiring experiences, constantly learning and improving, fostering an inclusive community, maintaining scientific credibility through evidence-based practices and honoring our unique place by using our location and history as a lens for larger understanding.

Proudly accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums, we’re among the top 10 aquariums in the U.S. by attendance, and we welcome over 1 million people each year guided by our mission ofInspiring Conservation of Our Marine Environment. Learn more at SeattleAquarium.org .