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Vice President – Environment Policy Practice

Waxman Strategies, a mission-driven policy and communications consulting firm led by former Congressman Henry Waxman, is accepting applications for a Vice President in our Environment Policy Practice. We’re looking to fill this key leadership role with a candidate who brings experience in management, legislative and regulatory policy work, and a strong commitment to pushing for clean energy and solving the climate crisis. With a new administration and leadership at the federal level, the time for much-needed progress on the most pressing issues of our time is now. 

Who We Are:

Recognized as “one of the most accomplished legislators of his or any era” by President Obama, former Congressman Henry Waxman leads the firm’s work in the areas of health, the environment, and technology. Waxman Strategies uses advocacy, communications, and campaigns to shape policies, advance causes, and build worldwide movements. 

Our Environment Practice works with our clients to deliver transformational change on one of the biggest challenges of our time — climate change. At Waxman Strategies, we work with leading NGOs and clean energy technology providers to develop and implement pragmatic policy solutions focusing on fighting for communities most impacted by climate change and the effects of fossil fuels. With the incoming Biden administration and renewed leadership at the federal level, the time for action is here, and this position will focus on the practice’s growing federal policy portfolio.

Desired Background and Responsibilities:

As a Vice President in our Environment Policy Practice, you will partner closely with our Environment Practice’s Managing Director to help lead our team of experts and work directly with our clients to shape and influence clean energy and climate change policy. Your responsibilities will include:

  • In coordination with our Managing Director and other senior leadership, providing strategic direction and leadership to our Environment Policy Practice’s goals and objectives.
  • Developing and communicating our clients’ policy positions and lobbying members of Congress, congressional staff, other federal policymakers, and stakeholders.
  • Ensuring that Waxman Strategies has strong relationships with Congressional staff and leadership, members of key congressional committees, and legislative champions.
  • Managing and training at least one member of the environment policy team staff; recruiting and hiring additional staff as needed.
  • Actively identifying potential new clients for the practice, including proposal creation and presenting at new business meetings and pitches.
  • Project managing deliverables and directly supporting multiple clients.
  • Engaging regularly with NGOs, academics, Congressional staff, labor leaders, and industries who are vital to advancing our goals
  • Reviewing and analyzing policy research to support the Environment Policy Practice and our clients.
  • Editing and reviewing policy memos, policy proposal analysis, regulatory comments, and other policy documents on behalf of Waxman Strategies and our clients.
  • Managing meetings and conference calls with our clients; planning and facilitating larger meetings such as convenings, presentations, roundtables, and reports as needed.
  • Actively identifying potential new clients and conducting background research for business development.
  • Performing other duties as needed to help meet Waxman Strategies’ priorities and goals.

Who You Are:

Required qualifications

  • You have a minimum of ten years of professional work experience, including experience in a senior federal legislative role (ideally including in a committee setting). A background in policy, political or nonprofit work, or a firm environment is also a plus. 
  • You have a proven track record in legislative or regulatory work. You have experience figuring out how to move decision-makers.
  • You have excellent written and verbal communication skills. You can communicate effectively with people with varying levels of expertise on health issues, from members of Congress to nonprofit leaders to colleagues.
  • You have significant experience working on environmental issues, climate and clean energy policy, and related issues. You know the environmental, political, and NGO landscape well and have connections in the space.
  • You have a commitment to and experience working with people from various backgrounds, including marginalized communities such as communities of color, low-income communities, members of the LGBTQ community, various religious backgrounds, and more.
  • You are passionate about working for a better and more just world and working on behalf of underserved communities.
  • You have flexibility, can take the initiative, and have a willingness to learn as issues arise.
  • You have excellent project management and organizational skills.
  • You have at least a bachelor’s degree, ideally in public policy, public health, government, political science, or another related field.

Preferred Qualifications

  • A law degree or master’s degree in a related discipline is preferred.
  • You are excited about emerging technologies and their potential to change the world.
  • You have experience with the annual Appropriations process and requirements.
  • You have a background in environmental justice.
  • You have an interest in working at the nexus of climate change solutions and environmental justice.
  • Fluency in Spanish is a plus.

More about our team:The firm is made up of people from various backgrounds, including former Obama administration staff, nonprofit advocacy groups, health agencies, and legislative offices, at a range of experience levels. We pride ourselves on being a welcoming place for people of color, members of the LGBTQ community, parents, empty-nesters, and more.

Details: We have a preference for candidates based in Washington, D.C., but are open to candidates in other U.S. locations. During the pandemic, our D.C.-based staff has the choice of working from home but have access to the office. You will report to our Environment Federal Policy Practice’s Managing Director, who has over three decades of experience working on energy and environmental policy under seven prominent members of Congress, including Chairman Henry Waxman, as well as stints at EPA and DOE.

Compensation and Benefits: The salary range for this position is $126K to $180K, depending on experience. We have a generous benefits package, including group health insurance, dental benefits, unlimited vacation time, paid holidays, and a 401(k) plan. We offer a supportive and collaborative work setting with full-time working hours (and flexibility as needed for working parents and other personal demands), a beautiful new office space, and a talented, driven, passionate, and fun team working alongside you.

Interview process: Our interview process involves a phone interview, two video interviews, a candidate exercise, and reference calls for candidates advancing in our process.

Application: Please submit a resume and a thoughtful cover letter which demonstrates your writing abilities by clicking on the apply button below and let us know how you learned of the job. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis and the job will remain posted on our website until it is filled. If you require reasonable accommodation in completing this application, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please contact Aliya at aliya@waxmanstrategies.com.

Our DEIJ Commitment: Waxman Strategies is a firm that cares deeply about protecting our environment, improving health access and outcomes, and advancing technology in the public interest. We conduct our work with the understanding that diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice (DEIJ) values are central to our mission, our culture, our success and our impact. With the knowledge of this country’s historically unjust economic and social systems in mind, our organization tries to maintain a workplace environment that embraces the diverse* backgrounds and identities of our team, partners and clients. We strive to make decisions transparently and inclusively, working to eliminate barriers so that all present and future Waxman Strategies staff — particularly those with traditionally excluded identities — have equitable, comprehensive, access to resources, opportunities for leadership, and oversight of day-to-day activities. *Including differing race, ethnicity, gender, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, tribe, caste, socio-economic status, thinking, communication style, etc.

Equal Opportunity Statement: Waxman Strategies is an equal opportunity employer; we strictly prohibit discrimination against any employee or applicant on the basis of race, creed, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, sexual orientation, disability, gender identity or expression and any other characteristic protected by law. Women, people of color, and members of the LGBTQ+ community and other historically marginalized communities are strongly encouraged to apply.

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