Government Affairs Deputy Director - Veterans

Company: Wounded Warrior Project
Location: Washington
Posted on: May 3, 2025

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:* 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 environmentA mission that matters is just the beginning, so if you're ready to get started, we're ready for you.The Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) Government Affairs Deputy Director - Veterans assists in the development and implementation of WWP's public policy strategy to advance its legislative, regulatory, and advocacy priorities. The Deputy Director communicates WWP's public policy positions, identifies new and timely opportunities to share the impact of WWP programs and services, and strengthens relationships with congressional staff and members, federal agency staff and appointees, nonprofit organizations, as well as internal and external partners and stakeholders. The Government Affairs Deputy Director - Veterans leads and manages WWP's lobbying team focused on Department of Veterans Affairs matters, oversees and guides legislative engagement and broader public policy strategies, and supports the Government Affairs Director in leading WWP's Government Affairs program.DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Support the Government Affairs team to build and enhance collaborative relationships to advance WWP legislative, regulatory, and advocacy priorities and inform on WWP public policy positions.
• Support the Government Affairs Director in the development and implementation of advocacy campaigns for high-priority policy initiatives at the federal and state levels.
• Oversee WWP's legislative strategy and lobbying efforts related to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), ensuring engagement with key policymakers, congressional Veterans' Affairs Committees, veteran service organizations, and VA leadership on policies affecting wounded, ill, or injured warriors, their families, and caregivers.
• Establish and strengthen relationships across the veterans' policy landscape including with senior VA leaders, veteran service organization professionals, non-profit organization professionals, think-tank researchers, VA-adjacent industry partners, and others to advance WWP's policy priorities and ensure representation in key VA initiatives affecting wounded warriors.
• Prepare internal and external communications, e.g., emails, reports, memos, presentations, and other internal and external communications. Coordinate cross-organizational communication with WWP program management to support and inform on policy initiatives.
• Collect and analyze data to assist the Government Affairs team in decision-making and subsequent reporting to leadership on activities and results. Compile and analyze data to identify and track trends.
• Prepare reports on federal, legislative, and regulatory matters of interest to WWP.
• Manage the drafting of congressional testimony, policy briefs, and defense-related regulatory comments, and represent WWP in congressional hearings, VA working groups, and high-level veterans policy discussions.
• Support the Government Affairs Director with various projects and activities, e.g., team budgeting process, strategic planning, defining key performance indicators, and interviewing candidates.
• Assist with the oversight of external resources and vendors who are supporting WWP advocacy efforts.
• Collaborate with the Communications team to develop communications to raise awareness of Government Affairs team activities with stakeholders.
• Coordinate with Community Partnerships and Investments team and inform them on advocacy-related grants and projects.
• Coordinate engagements, working groups, roundtables, and meetings.
• Represent WWP in high-level engagements, including but not limited to senior VA officials, Veterans' Affairs Committee members, and public policy coalitions to advocate for policy improvements benefiting wounded warriors.
• Develop community support for WWP and effectively communicate WWP's history, mission, vision, and the benefits of WWP programs and services, inspiring others to become involved with and support WWP.
• 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
  • Advanced knowledge and understanding of the legislative process, public policy, and advocacy issues and processes.
  • Working knowledge of veterans' policy, wounded warrior support programs, and VA legislative and regulatory processes, including engagement with veteran service organizations and VA stakeholders.
  • Highly motivated, passionate, and creative team player with demonstrated understanding of Wounded Warrior Project and its mission, values, programs, and services.
  • Demonstrated leadership experience with the ability to motivate, mentor, and educate staff members while fostering a strong team mentality.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills with demonstrated research and writing capabilities.
  • Strong organizational and time management skills, demonstrating the ability to adapt to changing priorities and meet deadlines while working independently with limited supervision.
  • Demonstrated ability to analyze information and recommend creative, practical solutions.
  • Proven ability to establish working relationships with WWP teammates to advance the mission and advocacy priorities and inform them about WWP public policy positions.
  • Effective relationship-building skills with a thorough understanding of relationship management and partnering.
  • Ability to manage sensitive matters with diplomacy and confidentiality and build effective working relationships with diverse individuals.
  • Ability to think strategically, analyze complex information, and offer creative, practical, and high-impact solutions.
  • Effective presentation skills. Confident communicator with the ability to present information effectively to large audiences, small groups, and individuals, and facilitate discussion, serving as a strong, effective representative of WWP.
  • Proven ability to lead public policy advocacy efforts, collaborate with senior government officials, and engage effectively with diverse policy stakeholders and coalition groups.
  • Professional presence and demeanor with the capacity to establish credibility, be decisive, influence others, and drive change.
  • Proficiency using Microsoft Office, e.g., Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint.
  • High energy level. Self-starter; willing to take initiative.
  • 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.EXPERIENCERequirements
    • Five years of experience working in or directly with a federal agency or advocacy-oriented organization focused on veterans' and/or health care issues.
    • Five years of experience in advocacy, policy, legislative affairs, or legislative research.
    • Three years of staff management or leadership experience.Preferences
      • Seven years of experience working in or directly with the Department of Veterans' Affairs..
      • Five years of experience in non-profit advocacy focused on defense, military, or veteran-related policy.
      • Five years of experience working in a Congressional office, an Executive branch office, or with a lobbying firm.EDUCATIONRequirements
        • Bachelor's degree in political science, business, management, communication, or other relevant field. Equivalent combination of applicable education, training, certification, and experience may be considered in lieu of degree.Preferences
          • None.CERTIFICATIONS & LICENSURERequirements
            • Valid state-issued driver's license.
            • Ability to obtain ASIST Certification within 1 year of hire.Preferences
              • ASIST Certification.WORK ENVIRONMENT/PHYSICAL DEMANDS
                • General office environment; temperature controlled.
                • Up to 30% travel.We recognize the success of our mission depends on the efforts of our passionate, hard-working teammates. To help teammates remain focused on the warriors and families we serve, WWP offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes; Medical/Prescription drug, Dental, Vision, Life/AD&D, Short-term Disability, Long-term Disability, and an Employee Assistance Program. WWP also offers a 401(k)-retirement plan, a competitive PTO package, Sick Leave, Family Care Leave, Paid Holidays, Birthday Holiday, Education Assistance, Teammate Wellness Program, and Bereavement Leave. For Washington, D.C. Applicants: The estimated hiring range for this position is between $109,670 - $137,088 annual base salary,subject to a candidate's combination of experience, qualifications, and credentials. This position may also be eligible for an annual performance incentive.*ca-ml#LI-HYBRIDWounded 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.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."

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