Senior Manager, U.S Government Affairs

***Application Deadline: July 19th, 2024 12pm EST***

Summary: The Senior Program Manager of U.S. Government Affairs works to advance Farm Sanctuary’s advocacy agenda by managing strategic policy initiatives and policy-focused events designed to advance policy supporting just, sustainable, community-driven, plant-based food system transformations. This role cultivates and maintains high-impact advocacy partnerships, including Farm Sanctuary’s ongoing federal coalitional work to support systems-level food system transformation. The Senior Program Manager supports internal coordination to ensure effective and equitable implementation of policy advocacy and external advocacy communications.  

Responsibilities:

• Manage the drafting, revising, and implementation of Farm Sanctuary’s federal advocacy strategy and agenda, including: policy and legislation, coalition building, and events.
• Contribute to the drafting and dissemination plans of Farm Sanctuary’s website and other external communications relevant to advocacy work.
• Serve as Farm Sanctuary’s liaison to federal legislative and administrative offices, building relationships to advance Farm Sanctuary’s policy and legislative agenda, with a focus on systems-level food system policy.
• Perform regular outreach to federal legislative offices, agencies, and departments, and schedule and participate in meetings with legislative and policy staff.
• Manage Farm Sanctuary’s efforts to build policy coalitions with animal rights, worker rights, social justice, farmer, and environmental organizations.
• Collaborate with coalition member lobbyists and work with Farm Sanctuary's General Counsel to contract those relationships;
• Regularly monitor, research, and report on legislative and regulatory developments relevant to the organization’s policy and legislative agenda, with a focus on food system policy.
• Draft letters, agency comments, fact sheets, and other policy documents, as needed.
• Collaborate with Farm Sanctuary’s Brand and Content Department on the creation of compelling campaign materials.
• Collaborate with Farm Sanctuary’s Development team on the creation of donor-facing materials and grant applications to maximize advocacy program funding.
• Collaborate with Farm Sanctuary’s Education team on the creation of resources to support community and grassroots advocacy programming.
• Collaborate with Farm Sanctuary's General Counsel to ensure litigation efforts compliment policy efforts and vice versa.
• Serve as primary liaison for the Stray Dog Institute organization and funding opportunities.
• Manage and coordinate responses to federal advocacy-related messages from the public.
• Present to FS Board Members and other members of Senior Leadership on advocacy team updates, projects, and goals.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Ideally 1 to 3 years of relevant experience working in project or program management, with particular preference for those with experience in Food System reform
• Effective oral and written communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills
• Ability to think strategically and creatively, and to proactively identify and solve problems
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environments, and handle varied tasks simultaneously while meeting tight deadlines
• Demonstrates interest in and support for the mission and campaigns of Farm Sanctuary
• Alignment with Farm Sanctuary’s values of compassion, understanding, integrity, transformation, and freedom.
• Familiarity, commitment to, and experience with the practice of equity and social justice, and the principles embedded in Farm Sanctuary’s mission

We embrace candidates from a range of backgrounds and experiences, regardless of whether they satisfy all the specified requirements. We encourage you to apply, even if you have an unconventional or non-traditional background.

Essential Physical Requirements:

• Sedentary to light work. Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally with prolonged periods of sitting in a stationary position. Must be able to perform repeating motions that may include the wrists, hands and/or fingers.
• Must be able to communicate with others to exchange information by means of the spoken word via telephone, video conferencing and other forms of electronic communication utilizing computers and smartphones.
• Worker is required to have close visual acuity to perform an activity such as: preparing and analyzing data and figures; transcribing; viewing a computer terminal. Must be able to perceive the nature of sounds at normal speaking levels with or without correction.
• Position is subject to environmental conditions. Must be able to perform activities inside and outside when onsite, in D.C. with remaining work performed in a remote home office.

Job Specifications:

• Terms of employment: Regular, Full-time, exempt position
• Reports to: Senior Director, Advocacy
• Direct Reports: NA (subject to change)
• Pay: $68,000 - $70,000
• Location: Washington, D.C. area - nearby area within commuting distance, frequent work on Capitol Hill. 
• Travel: Travel regular in the D.C. area and to Capitol Hill. Additional travel may be required on a quarterly basis
• Benefits: Competitive benefits package, including 13 paid holidays; generous paid time off; health, dental, vision, and life insurance; 403(b) plan; flexible spending accounts; long-term disability insurance; free access to the CALM meditation app; and access to the Nivati wellness platform
• Additional Specifications: Requires schedule flexibility, including weekend and evening hours as needed

Farm Sanctuary is committed to a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace where all employees are respected, valued, and feel a sense of belonging. We work hard to provide equal opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type. We take our duty seriously to protect employees with regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

We believe that our prioritization of diversity, equity, and inclusion is a strength and essential to achieving our mission. A diverse workforce brings many perspectives, ideas, and experiences, leading to more creative and effective solutions to our complex issues. By embracing diversity and creating an inclusive environment, we foster a culture of belonging where innovation and growth can thrive. We are dedicated to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in all aspects of our organization, including hiring and recruitment practices, employee development and training, and interactions with the communities we serve. We believe that diversity, equity, and inclusion are core components in fulfilling our mission of rescuing and protecting farmed animals from cruelty, and we are committed to creating a culture of respect, civility, and compassion for all.

The job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required for this position. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.

Any photos or videos taken in the scope of employment and/or related to Farm Sanctuary are considered work product and intellectual property of Farm Sanctuary.

Our Process:

• Stage 1: 30-minute virtual interview with People and Culture
• Stage 2: 60-minute virtual 2nd Interview
• Stage 3: 60-minute Final Interview
• Stage 4: Reference Check
• Stage 5: Offer Sent