Reports to: Executive Director
Direct reports:  Federal Affairs Director, Political Director, State Legislative Director

Indirect reports: 5
Hours: Full-time, Exempt
Location: Washington, DC

Led by former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, Giffords is a nonprofit organization whose team is on a mission to save lives from gun violence. Giffords is proud to be an equal opportunity employer committed to creating an environment that celebrates diversity, equity and inclusion. People of color, trans individuals, gender non-conforming individuals, women, people with differing abilities, and veterans are strongly encouraged to apply.

Giffords is seeking a Vice President, Government and Political Affairs to join our team. This role  oversees Giffords’ federal, state and local legislative strategy, and the strategy, planning and execution of Giffords PAC political and electoral programs. The Vice President, Government and Political Affairs will serve as a senior spokesperson and representative for the organization, especially in Washington DC, and will serve as the organization’s senior liaison to elected officials and candidates at all levels.

The Vice President, Government and Political Affairs is responsible for leading the Government Affairs and Political teams, which currently includes three direct reports and five indirect reports. 

The Vice President, Government and Political Affairs  serves as a member of Giffords Executive Management Team. As a member of the Executive Management Team, this role is responsible for advocating for the team, sharing input, and managing change; raising, discussing and deciding on challenging personnel topics; sharing decision-making and providing input on cross-cutting issues; and raising, monitoring, and discussing issues related to organizational performance. 

This is a full-time position based in our Washington DC office. This position requires the ability and willingness to travel up to 25% of the time, as well as interest and ability in staffing occasional weekend and evening events. Giffords has a requirement that all staff be fully vaccinated against COVID 19 with limited exemptions as required by federal and state law. This position will be expected to work in a hybrid model (1 day a week in the office, 4 days a week remotely).

Duties + Responsibilities:

• Design, lead, and execute government affairs and political strategies, in coordination with staff and outside consultants. This includes offensive and defensive government affairs priorities at the federal, state and local level, and the political and electoral programs aimed at electing gun safety-aligned candidates to office.
• Steward and build  high-level organizational relationships with government officials, elected officials, candidates, principals, partners and others; to include communicating the organization’s missions and goals and educating this audience on gun safety issues.
• Develop organization’s gun violence prevention legislative priorities, including both offensive and defensive goals, through collaboration with the policy, research, community violence and litigation teams, and relevant outside partners and stakeholders.
• Oversee approximately 10 federal, state and local legislative staff, political staff, and numerous outside consultants working to execute the organization’s legislative and political strategies.
• Elevate the issue of gun safety as a key policy priority and voting issue.
• Build and maintain strategic relationships with peers at allied organizations and partners as part of comprehensive legislative and political strategy.
• Oversee the creation and analysis of new information and production of related materials to support government affairs and political agendas including talking points, fact sheets, testimony, letters, reports, among other materials.
• Serve as a senior spokesperson and representative for the organization, especially in Washington DC.
• Apply an inclusion, diversity, equity, and anti-racism (IDEA) lens to all aspects of the organization’s government and political affairs work, including participating in and supporting the work of the Giffords IDEA team.

Essential Knowledge, Skills + Experience:

• At least fifteen years experience with state or federal legislative lobbying or political campaigns, including experience with advocacy campaigns, policy development and analysis, and experience leading legislative negotiation.
• At least seven years' experience in effectively managing a team and a variety of outside consultants; able to motivate and inspire teams in the face of challenges. Able to share a deep knowledge of equitable management practices; clearly communicates goals and delegates responsibilities; engenders a team culture of inclusion, impact, and tenacity. Values diverse voices and perspectives.
• Ability to grow Giffords’ brand, network, and relationships and influence with leaders in government, politics, advocacy, etc 
• Track record of effective decision-making and successful implementation of major projects, including building, managing and mentoring teams that produce high-quality results. 
• Excels at building and nurturing relationships with a diverse range of internal stakeholders. Notably collaborative teammate, capable of managing relationships internally and externally.
• Ability to coordinate effectively with external stakeholders by building new relationships, and creating and maintaining strategic partnerships.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; demonstrated ability to convey complex issues in clear and simple terms.
• Demonstrated problem-solving skills and ability to be flexible.
• Ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced environment.
• Superior time management and attention to detail.
• A strong commitment to and fluency with inclusion, diversity, equity and anti-racism, specifically as it relates to government affairs and politics.

Valued Non-essential Knowledge, Skills, + Experience:

• Subject matter expertise related to gun safety such as firearms regulation or community violence. 

Salary + Benefits:

The salary range for this position is $200,000 - $230,000  annually with the exact salary depending on experience. Competitive benefits include employer-funded health, dental, and vision insurance; health, transit, and parking flexible spending accounts; 401k plan with 4% employer match; reimbursement for cell phone and monthly wifi stipend, 25 days of PTO annually plus paid week closure at the end of the calendar year; and ten paid federal holidays.

GIFFORDS is proud to be an equal opportunity employer committed to creating an environment that celebrates diversity, equity and inclusion. People of color, trans individuals, gender non-conforming individuals, women, people with differing abilities, and veterans are strongly encouraged to apply.