VP of Government Affairs & Policy Strategy

Christian Legal Society; Lansdowne, Washington (VA, District of Columbia); On-site; USD 250,000 - 326,000; Full time

Job summary

Preferred Counsel Legal Placement Services presents a Senior Counsel, Vice President of Government Affairs opportunity with Alliance Defending Freedom in Lansdowne, VA and Washington, DC. As VP Government Affairs you will lead the U.S.

Government Affairs team, shape policy and legislative strategy, supervise senior staff, and develop relationships with federal and state lawmakers. JD required with an active state bar, 10+ years of federal/state legislative experience, and willingness to travel

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor from an accredited law school with an active license in at least one US state bar.
• 10+ years of professional experience working in federal or state legislative or executive-branch settings.
• 4+ years of professional experience working in a federal legislative context.
• Experience managing teams of attorneys.
• Proven ability to build and maintain strategic relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Travel up to 30% of the year.

Responsibilities

• Work with Chief Legal Counsel and organizational management to define, devise, refine, and oversee the plans and strategies to achieve key legal objectives, directing the application of those plans and strategies to positive legal outcomes.
• Oversee and direct the Vice President of Public Policy to develop federal and state legislative tools and resources to defend religious freedom, freedom of speech, parental rights, sanctity of life, and marriage and family.
• Oversee and direct the Vice President of Strategic Relations to develop a strategy for effective engagement with, and the development of legal options for, federal and state executive-branch officials to defend religious freedom, freedom of speech, parental rights, sanctity of life, and marriage and family.
• Oversee and direct the federal and state government relations work of ADF Action, including direct advocacy (lobbying) work before Congress and state legislatures.
• Oversee and direct the operational components of the Government Affairs team.
• Oversee as direct reports the Vice President of Public Policy, Vice President of Strategic Relations, and all Government Relations Directors.
• Develop and maintain direct relationships with key federal and state lawmakers and executive-branch officials.
• Assist in the development of legislation, legislative testimony, position papers, and reports.
• Build alliances and coalitions with like-minded policy groups.
• Testify in support of or against significant federal and state legislation.
• Represent ADF in media and at public events.
• Communicate the ADF legal strategy, key objectives, and tactics to the Government Affairs team.
• Promote cross-team communication, collaboration, problem-solving, and efficiency to accelerate organizational performance and achieve organizational objectives.
• Ensure close coordination with the U.S. Legal, Communications, and Development teams.
• Act as an educator within the organization to raise awareness of the Government Affairs team’s work and how it fits within and advances the broader ADF strategic plan.
• Gauge the effectiveness of the Government Affairs team’s work by establishing effective measurements, reporting results, and initiating corrective action to ensure that objectives are achieved.
• Act as the primary spokesperson for the Government Affairs team at ADF organizational meetings and other ADF team events.
• Allocate resources wisely to maximize the achievement of ADF and legal objectives.

Skills

Policy development

Public policy advocacy

Team leadership

Stakeholder management

Federal/state legislative experience

Education

Juris Doctor

Job description

Preferred Counsel Legal Placement Services presents a Senior Counsel, Vice President of Government Affairs opportunity with Alliance Defending Freedom in Lansdowne, VA and Washington, DC. As VP Government Affairs you will lead the U.S.

Government Affairs team, shape policy and legislative strategy, supervise senior staff, and develop relationships with federal and state lawmakers. JD required with an active state bar, 10+ years of federal/state legislative experience, and willingness to travel