Vice President - Government Affairs & Policy Innovation

Wounded Warrior Project; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible hybrid schedule

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

Competitive pay & incentives

Mission-focused, collaborative team

Job summary

Wounded Warrior Project seeks a visionary Vice President of Government Affairs & Policy Innovation to lead our federal and state advocacy, public policy, and government relations. You will guide strategic policy initiatives, build stakeholder coalitions, and shape evidence-based solutions improving outcomes for wounded warriors and their families.

Reporting to the Senior Leadership Team, you will oversee the Government Affairs and Policy & Innovation portfolios, drive long-term strategy, and

Qualifications

• Ten years of progressively responsible leadership experience.
• Experience building relationships with veteran, military, government, nonprofit stakeholders.
• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute government affairs, legislative, regulatory, appropriations, coalition engagement, and public policy strategies.
• Lead and develop the Government Affairs team, overseeing federal and state advocacy and coalition participation.
• Shape and advance policy positions with executive leadership and internal partners.
• Represent WWP with policymakers, government agencies, veteran and military service organizations, and external stakeholders.
• Provide executive oversight of the Policy & Innovation function and growth of evidence-based policy capabilities.
• Prepare policy analyses, briefs, testimony, and strategic plans supporting advocacy priorities.
• Oversee budgets, staffing, performance objectives, and operational effectiveness.

Skills

Executive presence

Strategic leadership

Government affairs

Public policy

Stakeholder management

Policy advocacy

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree or higher

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Great benefits. Competitive pay. We know these are some of the things people look for in a job. If you’re the kind of person who believes that honoring and empowering our nation’s veterans is more than just a cause — that it’s a calling — then we’re ready to meet you. When you join Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP), you’re committing to making a difference. We make a commitment to you, too – helping you to find that spark, ignite your passion to serve, and embark on a career with meaning and purpose. At WWP™, we recognize our mission cannot be accomplished without our talented teammates, which is why we’re proud to offer benefits such as:

Benefits

• A flexible hybrid work schedule (three days in the office, two days’ work from home)
• Full medical, dental, and vision coverage for both teammates AND family members
• Competitive pay and performance incentives
• A fun, mission-focused, and collaborative team environment

A mission that matters is just the beginning, so if you’re ready to get started, we’re ready for you.

Vice President of Government Affairs & Policy Innovation

The Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) Vice President of Government Affairs & Policy Innovation leads WWP’s federal and state legislative advocacy, public policy, government relations, and policy innovation strategies. This role advances policy solutions that improve outcomes for wounded warriors, their families, caregivers, and service members by leveraging research, data, constituent insights, and program experience. The position oversees the Government Affairs team and the Policy & Innovation function, building WWP’s long‑term capacity to identify emerging issues, develop evidence-based policy recommendations, and drive systemic change. Working closely with Community Engagement, Grassroots, and executive leadership, the Vice President ensures that warrior voices and stakeholder insights inform advocacy priorities while positioning WWP as a leading voice in veteran and military policy.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Develop and execute WWP's government affairs, legislative, regulatory, appropriations, coalition engagement, and public policy strategies to advance organizational priorities and improve outcomes for wounded warriors, families, caregivers, and service members.
• Lead and develop the Government Affairs team, overseeing federal and state advocacy, congressional and executive branch engagement, coalition participation, and strategic stakeholder relationships.
• Shape and advance WWP policy positions in collaboration with executive leadership and key internal partners, ensuring alignment across advocacy, communications, and organizational priorities.
• Represent WWP with policymakers, government agencies, veteran and military service organizations, coalition partners, and other external stakeholders to strengthen influence and advance mission objectives.
• Provide executive oversight of the Policy & Innovation function, establishing and growing WWP's evidence-based policy development and innovation capabilities.
• Lead the development of policy recommendations, issue briefs, thought leadership, and long‑range strategies informed by warrior experiences, program outcomes, research, surveys, constituent feedback, and stakeholder insights.
• Ensure organizational readiness to identify and address emerging trends, systemic challenges, and future needs affecting veterans, service members, families, and caregivers.
• Develop mechanisms to capture and integrate enterprise‑wide insights that inform advocacy priorities, policy development, and strategic decision‑making.
• Strengthen WWP's position as a trusted policy thought leader through forward‑looking, evidence-based solutions that drive meaningful systemic impact.
• Partner with Community Engagement, Grassroots, Programs, Research, Communications, Development, and other stakeholders to ensure constituent perspectives and organizational insights inform policy development, advocacy priorities, and external engagement strategies.
• Align advocacy, education, outreach, and stakeholder engagement efforts across the organization to maximize influence, impact, and mission outcomes.
• Collaborate across leadership teams to identify opportunities where policy and advocacy efforts can enhance programs, improve outcomes, and advance organizational priorities.
• Serve as a member of the Senior Leadership Team, contributing to organizational strategy, planning, and enterprise decision‑making.
• Provide oversight of budgets, staffing, performance objectives, and operational effectiveness across the Government Affairs and Policy & Innovation portfolio.
• Prepare and deliver executive briefings, policy analyses, testimony, strategic plans, and other materials supporting organizational advocacy and leadership priorities.
• Partner with executive leadership to advance WWP's mission, strategic vision, and long‑term impact on the veteran and military community.
• Attend and actively participate in required training and/or meetings, including but not limited to New Teammate Orientation, WWP Cares, ASIST Suicide Prevention training, Leadership training, culture/team based training, or departmental huddles.
• Other related duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

Executive presence, sound judgment, credibility, and relationship management skills necessary to advise senior leaders, represent WWP with national‑level government, military, nonprofit, philanthropic, and community stakeholders, and build strategic partnerships that advance mission objectives. Proven executive leadership experience building, leading, and developing high‑performing teams and functions. Deep expertise in government affairs, public policy, legislative advocacy, coalition engagement, and stakeholder influence. Comprehensive knowledge of federal and state government processes, veteran and military policy, appropriations, and the veteran service organization landscape. Demonstrated ability to develop and execute evidence‑based policy strategies informed by research, data, constituent insights, and organizational priorities. Exceptional strategic thinking and analytical skills, including the ability to translate complex information into actionable policy recommendations and organizational strategy. Outstanding communication and influencing skills, with the ability to effectively engage policymakers, executives, coalition partners, constituents, and external stakeholders. Proven ability to collaborate across complex organizations and align diverse stakeholders around shared priorities and outcomes. Strong organizational, project management, and decision‑making skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities in a dynamic environment. Demonstrated judgment, discretion, political acumen, and attention to detail in high‑profile and sensitive situations. Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, including Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Unequivocal commitment to the highest standards of personal and business ethics and conduct. Mission‑driven, guided by core values, and a pleasure to work with.

Experience Requirements

• Ten years of progressively responsible leadership experience, including staff management and oversight of budgets, operating plans, performance priorities, or fiduciary responsibilities.
• Ten years of experience building and leveraging relationships with veteran, military, government, nonprofit, community, and mission‑aligned stakeholders to advance issues affecting wounded warriors, families, caregivers, and service members.
• Experience leading legislative, policy, advocacy, coalition, government affairs, or public affairs strategies, including developing or overseeing policy research, analysis, advocacy agendas, evidence‑based policy products, or issue‑based thought leadership.

Experience Preferences

• Military service or experience with an organization or government agency that provides care, policy, benefits, or support to wounded, ill, and injured service members or veterans.
• Experience contributing to an evidence‑based policy development function, such as a policy institute, think tank, research translation effort, or public policy center, and convening diverse stakeholders around long‑term systemic policy challenges.
• Experience leading geographically dispersed teams.

Education Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree.

Education Preferences

• Advanced degree in public policy, public administration, health sciences, law, national security, social sciences, nonprofit management, business administration, or related field.

Certifications & Licensure Requirements

• Valid state‑issued driver's license.
• Ability to obtain ASIST Certification within 1 year of hire.

Certifications & Licensure Preferences

• ASIST Certification.

Work Environment/Physical Demands

General office environment; temperature controlled. Up to 20% travel.

Please note: Wounded Warrior Project is not seeking assistance or accepting unsolicited resumes from search firms without a written search agreement in place. All resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at Wounded Warrior Project via email, the Internet or directly to hiring managers at Wounded Warrior Project in any form without a valid written search agreement in place will be deemed the sole property of Wounded Warrior Project, and no fee will be paid in the event the candidate is hired by Wounded Warrior Project as a result of the referral or through other means.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Wounded Warrior Project® is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing equal employment opportunity to all persons without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, citizenship, age, veteran or military status, disability, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Wounded Warrior Project® is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing equal employment opportunity to all persons without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, citizenship, age, veteran or military status, disability, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) is a veterans service organization that is transforming the way America’s wounded veterans are empowered, employed, and engaged in their communities. WWP™ works with warriors and their families to create paths toward success as they transition back into civilian life. Through direct programs and services, WWP connects warriors to a network of support and resources to address their evolving needs. The WWP team is passionate about creating impact—and since 2003, has improved the lives of over half a million warriors and their families. In fact, many WWP employees are veterans themselves and have experienced firsthand the benefits of its programs and services.