We’re Hiring a Project Manager!
Project Manager - Organizing & Advocacy
Job Details
Description
Founded in 1936, the National Wildlife Federation has grown into America's largest and most trusted grassroots conservation organization with 52 state/territorial affiliates and more than six million members and supporters, including hunters, anglers, gardeners, birders, hikers, campers, paddlers, and outdoor enthusiasts of all ages and stripes. The mission of the National Wildlife Federation is to unite all Americans to ensure wildlife thrive in our rapidly changing world. We advance this mission through programming focused on conserving wildlife, restoring habitats and waterways, expanding outdoor opportunities, connecting children with nature, advancing environmental justice, and addressing the causes and consequences of climate change.
The Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition (HOW), led by the National Wildlife Federation (NWF) and National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA), requires a Project Manager to direct and implement a strategic ground game in key political districts in partnership with HOW Coalition member organizations. In this role you will develop and implement a campaign to educate, communicate, and build partnerships with Coalition members to influence key Members of Congress by constituents in targeted districts (the ground game). These targeted strategies have the potential to inspire and motivate more people, not just the traditional Great Lakes advocates, to tell their stories, to reach out to their Members of Congress, to talk to their neighbors, friends, and family, about what they care about, and to ultimately combat the serious barrage of threats to the Great Lakes communities. The Coalition’s goal is to build a deeper bench of Great Lakes advocates and leverage the skills and information created to build support for our long-term work to protect and restore the Great Lakes.
This person will report to the HOW Coalition Director and work with staff in setting up systems to communicate and track multiple organizing efforts that effectively push policy and communications efforts down to members/partners in the targeted districts and push up local efforts to influence policy makers and support robust communications.
Principal Duties (major areas of responsibility):
Lead and manage issue advocacy and organizing projects supporting the Coalition’s policy agenda, ensuring alignment with Coalition’s and member’s goals.
Coordinate with policy, communication, and field teams to develop and execute strategic organizing plans, including power mapping, community engagement, and grass tops mobilization.
Build and maintain relationships with member organizations, community leaders, and partners to advance shared policy goals.
Develop materials such as advocacy toolkits, training resources, and digital campaign assets to support members and partners.
Facilitate training sessions relevant for members and partner advocates in the targeted districts.
Monitor progress and impact of organizing efforts and prepare reports for internal and external use.
Represent the Coalition at meetings, public forums, and legislative events as needed.
Ensure all organizing and advocacy efforts are aligned with the Coalition and NWF’s equity and justice goals.
Qualifications:
Minimum of 5 years of experience in political organizing, issue advocacy, or grassroots campaign management.
Proven track record of managing complex projects and organizing successful advocacy campaigns.
Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to collaborate across teams and engage diverse stakeholders.
Exceptional communication skills – both written and verbal – and comfort with public speaking and facilitation.
Deep understanding of advocacy strategies, coalition-building, and community-based organizing.
Experience working on environmental, social justice, or conservation issues preferred.
Commitment to equity and justice as foundational principles of organizing and leadership.
Familiarity with digital organizing platforms and data tools is a plus (e.g., Airtable, VAN, Mobilize, Action Network).
Travel Requirements:
Some domestic travel will be required to attend partner meetings, trainings, and organizing events (up to 20%).
Location and Work Mode:
This position will be based in the Great Lakes region. The National Wildlife Federation is committed to a flexible and empowered work environment with an authentic community of care for all staff. In this position, the employee may work hybrid (remote/office mix) to be decided jointly with their supervisor in the final stages of the interview process. For more information on Work Modes, please review the benefits section of our careers page: https://www.nwf.org/About-Us/Careers
Physical Requirements of the Job:
Remaining in a normal seated or standing position for extended periods; reaching and grasping by extending hand(s) or arm(s); dexterity to manipulate objects with fingers, for example, using a keyboard; communication skills using the spoken word; ability to see and hear within normal parameters; ability to move about the workspace. The position requires mobility, including moving materials weighing up to several pounds (such as a laptop computer or tablet).
People with disabilities may be able to perform the essential duties of this position with reasonable accommodation. Requests for reasonable accommodation will be evaluated on an individual basis.
Compensation and Benefits:
The salary range for this position is $72,000 - $76,000 - commensurate with experience.
We are proud of our designation by Mogul as a Top 100 Workplace with the Best Benefits, and by Forbes as one of America’s best small employers! We value work-life balance and a family-friendly atmosphere with flexible scheduling. We want you to be able to integrate work and personal life with attention to your self-care, so that your work schedule is not depleting. We offer benefits so you feel restored and fueled through the day and week.
We offer these supports to help manage your mental, emotional, and physical health:
Paid time off: Vacation that starts off at three weeks accrual based on a full-time schedule, unlimited wellbeing (this time can be used for physical, spiritual, emotional, cultural, religious or financial wellbeing for yourself, a partner, or family member – including pets), and 11 holidays
We close for a paid winter break between December 25 to January 1 to recognize end of-year stress, and time for reflection, rejuvenation, and spending time with family.
Up to 16 weeks of fully paid Family and Medical Leave
Low-cost health, dental, and vision insurance options – all outpatient mental health is covered at in-network rates
Therapist available at no cost
Pet insurance and discount perk program
Annual wellbeing allowance
In addition to your salary, we offer the following supports to your personal finances:
Retirement plan with immediate match and vesting
Annual year end retirement contribution
Tuition Reimbursement
Adoption and Surrogacy assistance
Pet adoption stipend
Student Loan management
Applicants are invited to learn more about National Wildlife Federation’s benefits package at https://www.nwf.org/About-Us/Careers.
Application:
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Candidates should submit a cover letter and resume. NWF is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment about any classes or characteristics protected by law.
For more information on our recruiting process, please review our Careers page: https://www.nwf.org/About-Us/Careers
We recognize that people come with a wealth of knowledge and talent beyond just the technical requirements of a job. Your experience, which may include paid and unpaid work, including volunteer work, helps build the competencies and knowledge that translates to our openings. Whether you’re new to the field, returning to work after a gap in your employment, or are taking the next step in your career path, if you believe you could excel in this role, we encourage you to apply! Diversity of experience and skills combined with passion is a key to innovation and a culture of excellence. To be eligible for this role you must be a U.S. citizen or have valid work authorization to work in the U.S.
Please let us know if you require accommodations during the application or interview process by reaching us at hrhelp@nwf.org or 703-438-6244.
If selected for this position, a background check will be conducted.
Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.
