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Vice President - Government and Community Relations

This job is no longer available

Washington, D.C., USA
Full-time

The Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) Vice President Government and Community Relations (GCR) oversees WWP’s policy and government affairs operations and manages WWP’s overall legislative, advocacy, and public policy efforts. This position represents the organization to senior White House, Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Department of Defense (DoD) and other agency officials, as well as Congressional leaders, and will have a major impact on the care, treatment, and rehabilitation of our nation’s sick, ill, and injured Service Members and their families. The VP GCR participates in collaborative policy and advocacy efforts with other Veteran Service Organizations (VSOs), Military Service Organizations (MSOs), and nonprofit organizations when those issues affect post-9/11 wounded warriors, their families, and their caregivers. 

Areas of Responsibility: 
  • Plan, execute, and manage WWP’s policy research, development, and advocacy strategy and agenda.
  • Lead a team of professionals focused on policy and advocacy for wounded warriors and their families.
  • Oversee legislative campaigns on diverse issues ranging from family caregiver benefits, VA’s Mental Health system of care, interoperability between the VA and DoD, and other agency issues.
  • Interact with Wounded Warriors, their families, and caregivers in a variety of forums to understand constituent needs and to develop possible legislative and policy initiatives to address identified problems
  • Shape the policy positions of WWP in cooperation with the WWP Executive Team.
  • Craft the messaging of policy positions with the WWP Executive Team and Communications Team. 
  • Represent WWP effectively with the Administration, Congress, and other VSOs.
  • Support the organization’s standing in the DC community through active engagement with DOD, VA, and government officials, as well as interfacing with other VSOs, MSOs, and nonprofit organizations to build greater awareness, understanding, and support for Wounded Warrior Project alumni and family members.
  • In coordination with WWP Chief of Programs, assist in fostering, maintaining, and improving relationships to enhance WWP’s programmatic impact through collaboration with the VSO/MSO, military, caregiver, and other stakeholder communities.
  • In coordination with WWP Chief Development Officer, assist in identifying and optimizing opportunities in the DC area to enhance financial support for programs/services aligned with WWP’s mission.
  • Manage an annual operating budget. 
  • Attend and participate in all WWP Executive Team Meetings as required.
  • Other duties as assigned.
Educational Background: 
Bachelor’s degree.
Skills/Experience: 
  • Highly motivated, passionate, and creative team player with demonstrated commitment to the organization.
  • Demonstrated ability to interact, collaborate, and operate effectively with an executive team across all organizational areas.
  • Excellent written and oral communications skills, and demonstrated influencing skills and ability to convince and motivate others to act on our constituency’s behalf.
  • Demonstrated commitment to ensuring the voices of veterans are heard through the policy development process.  Effectively understand and represent the best interests of wounded warriors.
  • Excellent organizational and time management skills. Demonstrated ability to prioritize effectively and handle multiple priorities with tight deadlines.
  • Demonstrated strong attention to detail in a fast-paced environment.
  • Demonstrated proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office programs, Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint.
  • Strong leadership skills to effectively lead, manage, and develop staff.
  • Effective presentation skills. Confident communicator, with demonstrated ability to present information effectively to large audiences, small groups, and individuals, facilitate discussion, and serve as a strong effective representative of WWP.
  • Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain professional relationships with individuals in congressional and government agency leadership roles.
  • Professional presence & demeanor. Demonstrated ability to communicate and interact with diverse personalities in a tactful, mature and flexible manner.
  • Demonstrated understanding of relationship management and partnering. Exceptional interpersonal and relationship building skills. Demonstrated ability to interact effectively with diverse individuals and build effective working relationships and networks in pursuit of common goals, e.g., building personal professional relationships with VSO/MSO legislative affairs counterparts and lawmakers and their staffs.
  • Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot, identify viable options, and problem-solve.
  • Ability to take initiative, multi-task, work independently, and work well under pressure.
  • Punctual, proactive, self-starter.
  • Must possess strong research, writing and communications skills.
  • 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.
  • Ten years of experience interacting with veterans and the military community.
  • Ten years of staff management experience.
  • Ten years of experience building and maintaining relationships with veteran/military community stakeholders, and utilizing those relationships to impact wounded warrior/family/caregiver issues.

Preferences

  • Advanced degree in public policy, health sciences, law, national security, or social sciences.
  • Former military service member, or service with other government agency providing care/policy for wounded, ill, and injured service members. 
  • Active positive relationships in the veterans/military community.

Organization Info

Listing Stats

Post Date: 
Jun 15 2019
Active Until: 
Jul 15 2019
Hiring Organization: 
Wounded Warrior Project, Inc.
industry: 
Nonprofit