Vice President, Government Relations & Political Affairs

lcv; Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 148,000 - 201,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k) match

Commuter benefits

Sabbatical

Student loan assistance

PTO

Job summary

League of Conservation Voters seeks a Vice President, Government Relations & Political Affairs in Washington, DC. This senior role leads federal government relations and political strategies, coordinating endorsements and cross‑functional campaigns with the SVP and senior staff.

The role demands deep federal legislative or campaign experience, strong leadership, strategic thinking, and a commitment to environmental justice.

Qualifications

• At least 10 years of experience in issue advocacy, Capitol Hill, or electoral campaigns.
• Experience setting strategy and drafting/implementing campaign advocacy plans that reflect a commitment to racial justice and equity.
• Demonstrated supervisory experience successfully managing high performing teams.
• Preferred: Budget management experience and program design skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a comprehensive federal government relations strategy to advance climate, energy, environmental, and democracy goals.
• Serve as a senior lobbyist and external representative with Congress and staff; maintain high-level relationships.
• Manage federal candidate endorsement process with campaigns and political committees.
• Oversee the LCV Action Fund budget and coordinate coordinated political programs.
• Develop and execute systems to deepen communication with candidates and elected officials.
• Lead equity and racial justice integration in government relations and political strategies.
• Travel in DC regularly and up to 20% elsewhere as needed.
• Supervise and mentor a team of three direct reports.
• Collaborate cross-departmentally on strategy and fundraising efforts.
• Build relationships with environmental partners and coalitions.

Skills

High-level strategy

Lobbying

Coalitions

Leadership

Relationship building

Project management

Communications

Equity & justice

Policy advocacy

Staff mentoring

Job description

Title: Vice President, Government Relations & Political Affairs

Department: Government Affairs

Status: Exempt

Reports to: Senior Vice President, Government Affairs

Positions Reporting to this Position: Director of Political Affairs; Congressional Champions Campaign Director; Senior Judiciary & Democracy Director

Location: Washington, DC

Remote Work Eligibility: Regular Hybrid Work

Travel Requirements: Up to 25%

Union Position: No

Job Classification Level: M-IV

Salary Range (depending on qualified experience): $147,900 - $200,940

General Description:

For over half a century, the League of Conservation Voters, Inc. (“LCV”), has led the charge for clean air, clean water, public lands, healthy communities, and a sustainable planet for all. LCV has built political power and infrastructure at the intersection of climate policy and electoral strategy – advancing environmental protections, electing pro-environmental lawmakers and aligning action across an integral multi-state network.

We envision a world in which tackling the climate crisis, confronting environmental injustice and strengthening our democracy leads to cleaner and healthier communities, good, well-paying jobs and a just, equitable and sustainable future for all.

LCV is hiring a Vice President, Government Relations & Political Affairs to serve as a senior leader and highly visible member of the Government Affairs Department. Working closely with the Senior Vice President, Government Affairs and other senior staff, this position will be responsible for designing and executing federal government relations and political strategies to achieve our policy goals. Responsibilities include leading engagement with federal policymakers and overseeing coordinated-side political activities, including candidate endorsements and LCV Action Fund. The Vice President will have deep experience in federal legislative strategy and/or political campaigns. They will need to excel at strategy, relationship building, and coordinating with external partners. They will also possess strong communication, people and project management skills, as well as a commitment to advancing racial and environmental justice.

This position is classified as “Regular Hybrid Work” and is required to work in-person in the Washington, D.C. office a minimum of two days per week.

General working conditions:

• Operate in a professional office or home office environment, and routinely use standard office equipment including, but not limited to, computers, phones, photocopiers, and audiovisual systems.
• Largely sedentary, often standing or sitting for prolonged periods.
• Communicates with internal and external stakeholders using electronic platforms.

Applicants must be located in and legally authorized to work in the United States. Applicants must reside in the location listed above.

Responsibilities:

• Regularly working in close partnership with the SVP and program leaders, develop and execute a comprehensive federal government relations strategy to advance progress on top priority climate, clean energy, clean air, clean water, public lands and democracy goals.
• Serve as one of LCV’s most senior lobbyists and external representatives; develop and maintain high-level relationships with members of Congress, committee and leadership staff; and staff organizational principals on high-impact policymaker engagements.
• Manage federal candidate endorsement process, including interviewing candidates, making endorsement recommendations, and working directly with campaigns, political committees, and other stakeholders, including members of the board.
• Help direct LCV’s coordinated-side political activities, including overseeing the LCV Action Fund budget of over $1 million per cycle and strategizing on key opportunities for coordinated field programs.
• Develop and execute new systems and programs to deepen our communication with candidates, elected officials and their staff.
• In partnership with the SVP and other senior staff, develop and execute an innovative and effective program influencing 2028 presidential candidates.
• Advise on political strategy for the GiveGreen federal and state candidate fundraising program, which is the largest progressive issue-based candidate fundraising program.
• Serve as a senior spokesperson and help shape our communications messaging and strategy, including through informing polling and other message research.
• Supervise and mentor staff, including a team of three direct reports.
• Work cross-departmentally with senior organizational leaders on strategy development and program execution and support fundraising and accountability efforts.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with other environmental and allied partner organizations and coalitions, working closely on key priority issues.
• Partner with the Conservation Voter Movement, a network of over 30 state affiliates, on various projects spanning federal legislation and coordinated political programs.
• Travel within DC is expected regularly for in-person work. Travel outside of the DC area is expected up to 20% of the time. Travel in and outside of DC includes meetings with elected officials and their staff, electoral-related travel, staff retreats, conferences, and professional development opportunities, as needed.
• Help lead the department's long-term process to advance equity and racial justice in its government relations and political strategies, as well as in its internal culture and operations.

Qualifications:

• Work Experience - At least 10 years of experience, including working in issue advocacy, on Capitol Hill, or with electoral campaigns. Experience with politics, coalitions and lobbying. Experience setting strategy, drafting and implementing campaign advocacy plans that reflect a commitment to racial justice and equity, elevate the voices and leadership of people of color and young people and develop authentic relationships with organizational partners. Demonstrated supervisory experience successfully managing high performing teams. Preferred - Experience managing budgets as well as designing, implementing and evaluating programs.
• Skills - Ability to set high-level strategy in a collaborative manner, including connecting political strategy to issue advocacy campaign strategy. Federal government relations, coalition-building, strong political judgment, excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to relay complex issues in a clear and compelling manner. Strong interpersonal and management skills with an ability to develop relationships with individuals representing a rich mix of race, gender, talent, experience, and background. Passionate about protecting the environment and communities impacted by climate change and environmental injustice. Collaborative; organized and attentive to details; commitment to teamwork and community; ability to handle multiple tasks, effectively prioritize, and thrive in a fast-paced setting. Preferred - Confirmed success in budget management; proven track record in program design.

• Racial Justice and Equity Competencies - Demonstrated awareness of how one’s life experiences influence one’s personal attitudes, biases, and assumptions. Demonstrated commitment to continual learning and ability to successfully deliver culturally responsive services. Commitment to equity and inclusion as organizational practice and culture. Understands how environmental issues intersect with racism, economic and social inequality in the U.S. and has a passion for working to dismantle these systems.

LCV offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package that includes vacation, sick and parental leave, personal days, paid holidays, health insurance (two plan options for staff to choose from), dental and vision insurance, life and disability insurance (short- and long-term), Flexible Spending Account, 401(k) retirement plan with company matching contribution, commuter benefits program, sabbatical, and student loan assistance.

All applicants must include the month and year for the experience provided on their uploaded resume. Final resumes must be completed and submitted at the time of application, and should include all relevant experience to meet the minimum requirements and for salary considerations. Applications are reviewed by humans; we do not use Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the hiring process.

Pre-employment Screening

All employment is contingent upon the completion of a background check, employment verifications and reference checks.

LCV is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to a racially just, equitable and inclusive workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or genetic information, or any other protected status. LCV is committed to providing access, equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in the employee selection process, including, completing the application, interviewing, or pre-employment testing, please contact [e-mail].

Our organization participates in E-Verify as a part of the onboarding process. We are required to provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with information from each new employee’s Form I-9 to confirm work authorization. Please note that we do not use E-Verify to pre-screen job applicants and may only initiate the process after an offer has been accepted.