Senior Counsel VP of Government Affairs

Scion Executive Search; Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 250,000 - 300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary range $250k–$300k

Medical & dental insurance

Dependent care reimbursement

Disability insurance

Long-term care insurance

Life insurance

401(k) with 4% employer match

Paid time off & holidays

Relocation package

Job summary

Scion Executive Search is partnering with a faith-based legal advocacy organization to identify a Senior Counsel, Vice President of Government Affairs. This executive will shape federal and state policy, engage with lawmakers, and lead a high‑performing government affairs team.

The role is full time and hybrid, with a monthly onsite presence preferred in Washington, D.C.; Lansdowne, VA; Scottsdale, AZ; or Dallas, TX, and travel up to 25%. A J.D.

Qualifications

• Must have JD and active license in at least one U.S. jurisdiction.
• Extensive leadership experience in government affairs or public policy.
• Strong understanding of federal and state legislative processes.

Responsibilities

• Lead federal and state government affairs strategy aligned with organizational priorities.
• Oversee policy, strategic relations, and government relations teams.
• Direct legislative advocacy with Congress, state legislatures, and executive-branch stakeholders.
• Cultivate relationships with elected officials, coalitions, and policy organizations.
• Prepare legislation proposals, testimony, policy analyses, and briefings.
• Represent the organization in hearings and external policy discussions.
• Collaborate with legal, communications, and development functions to align advocacy.
• Set team priorities, measures, and mentor attorneys and policy professionals.

Skills

Executive communication

Relationship building

Stakeholder management

Advocacy strategy

Education

Juris Doctor (J.D.)

Job description

Scion Executive Search is excited to partner with a nationally recognized and highly influential faith-based legal advocacy organization in the search for an accomplished Senior Counsel, Vice President of Government Affairs. This exceptional executive leadership opportunity offers the chance to shape public policy, influence legislation at the highest levels, and advance constitutional freedoms and civil liberties on a national stage. The ideal candidate will be a strategic, influential leader with a passion for advocacy, a strong legal background, experience with federal and state and the ability to build meaningful relationships with key government and legislative stakeholders.

This is a full-time, hybrid position with a strong preference for candidates who can maintain a monthly onsite presence in one of the following locations: Washington, D.C., Lansdowne, VA, Scottsdale, AZ, or Dallas, TX. Other locations will be considered for the ideal candidate. The role requires up to 25% travel.

About The Role

Reporting to the Chief Legal Counsel, the Senior Counsel, Vice President of Government Affairs will provide executive leadership for the organization’s U.S. government affairs function. This leader will shape and execute federal and state legislative strategies, guide engagement with policymakers and executive-branch officials, and oversee a team responsible for public policy, strategic relationships, and government relations. The ideal candidate is a seasoned attorney and government affairs executive with a record of advancing complex legislative priorities, cultivating influential relationships, and leading high-performing legal and policy professionals.

Responsibilities

• Lead and implement a comprehensive federal and state government affairs strategy aligned with organizational priorities.
• Provide executive oversight to senior leaders responsible for public policy, strategic relations, and government relations, including Government Relations Directors.
• Direct legislative advocacy and lobbying activities involving Congress, state legislatures, and executive-branch stakeholders.
• Cultivate and sustain strategic relationships with elected officials, government leaders, coalition partners, and policy organizations.
• Guide the preparation of proposed legislation, legislative testimony, policy analyses, position papers, and strategic briefings.
• Represent the organization in legislative hearings, policy discussions, and other external forums, including providing testimony as appropriate.
• Partner across legal, communications, and development functions to align advocacy priorities, messaging, and organizational initiatives.
• Establish team priorities, performance measures, and resource plans; mentor attorneys and government affairs professionals.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school and an active license to practice law in at least one U.S. jurisdiction.
• 15+ years of professional experience in federal and/or state legislative or executive-branch environments, including at least four years of federal legislative experience.
• 5+ years of managing attorneys (10+ on the team) and leading multidisciplinary government affairs or public policy teams.
• Sophisticated understanding of legislative processes, government relations, advocacy strategy, and public policy development.
• Exceptional executive communication, relationship-building, strategic judgment, and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to travel up to 25% as business needs require.
• Must be willing to sign a statement of faith.

Compensation & Benefits

• Base salary range of $250,000–$300,000
• Employer-paid medical and dental insurance
• Medical and dependent care reimbursement programs
• Disability, long-term care, and life insurance
• 401(k) retirement plan with a 4% employer match
• Paid time off and 12 paid holidays annually
• Relocation package

Scion Executive Search is an equal opportunity employer and service provider and does not discriminate based on race, religion, gender, gender identity, national origin, citizenship status, sexual orientation, disability, political affiliation, or any other protected class. We are committed to the principles of Equal Opportunity Employment and are dedicated to making employment decisions based on merit and value, for ourselves, our client companies, and the candidates we represent. For opportunities located in a region that has enacted fair chance, arrest, or conviction-based employment ordinances, Scion Executive Search proactively follows the enacted guidance and considers for employment all qualified applications with arrest and conviction records. We engage in socially conscious business practices and believe that diverse, inclusive, and non-biased talent and recruitment processes are foundational to the success of Scion as well as every client organization with whom we partner.