Grassroots and Constituent Affairs Director

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 environment

A 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) Grassroots and Constituent Affairs Director oversees WWP’s day-to-day advocacy and congressional casework operations including leading WWP’s grassroots efforts by identifying, recruiting, and engaging grassroots advocates to mobilize and take action to drive policy reforms focused on wounded, ill, or injured Veterans. The Grassroots and Constituent Affairs Director oversees the development and management of a congressional liaison team responsible for liaising with Members of Congress, and their State or District staffs, to aid Members in addressing the needs of their post-9/11 wounded, ill, or injured Veteran constituency by connecting them with WWP programs, partners, and federal resources.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• In collaboration with the Government and Community Relations (GCR) leadership, develop a comprehensive grassroots strategy to engage WWP Alumni, family support members, and other groups, where appropriate, to assist with the advancement of WWP policy priorities.

• Build and maintain a national organizing strategy to expand on and strengthen the WWP Grassroots network including the mobilization, recruitment, and retention of grassroots and grasstops volunteers.

• Oversee the execution of WWP grassroots and grasstops efforts to include the management of advocacy campaigns through multiple platforms, the evaluation of engagement analytics to maximize participation, development of supporting materials, and assessment of campaign impact to advance goals and policy priorities.

• Develop and implement an educational program aimed at teaching WWP alumni and interested advocates how to be effective advocates, and educate them on WWP’s legislative efforts and how to engage Members of Congress and their staff on policy matters.

• Collaborate to develop and execute WWP initiatives such as WWP’s Annual Warrior Survey rollout, WWP Soldier Ride DC, and WWP Project Advocacy Newsletter.

• Facilitate in-person district events between Warriors and their elected officials in collaboration with the Government Affairs team

• Oversee cross-organizational advocacy initiatives such as Capitol Hill advocacy fly-ins in coordination with organizational teammates.  

• Oversee the management, coordination, and tracking of correspondence received through the Advocacy inbox, ensuring a timely response.  

• Oversee the development and management of a congressional liaison team responsible for outreach to and liaising with Members of Congress and their State or District staffs, to aid in addressing the needs of post-9/11 wounded, ill, or injured Veteran constituency by connecting them with WWP programs, partners, and resources.

• Represent WWP as necessary at key events, meetings, discussions, hearings, conferences, or as directed by the VP of Government and Community Relations.

• Maintain in-depth knowledge and understanding of WWP’s legislative priorities and military service organization (MSO) and veteran service organization (VSO) community priorities.

• Maintain awareness of new and emerging grassroots trends, "best practices," and innovations.

• In coordination with VP of Government and Community Relations, assist in fostering, maintaining, and improving relationships to enhance WWP’s programmatic impact through collaboration with the VSO/MSO, military, caregiver, and other stakeholder communities.

• 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 duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES

• Highly motivated, passionate, and creative team player with a demonstrated commitment to the organization's mission.

• Demonstrated understanding of Wounded Warrior Project and its mission, values, programs, and services, and the impact of these programs and services on wounded warriors and their families.

• Demonstrated ability to interact effectively with diverse individuals and build effective working relationships and networks in pursuit of common goals, e.g., building personal, professional relationships with VSO/MSO legislative affairs counterparts and lawmakers and their staffs.

• Demonstrated knowledge in grassroots and grasstop operations with a proven ability to impact policy through member/supporter advocacy.

• Demonstrated leadership experience to motivate, coach, and educate staff members while fostering a strong team mentality.

• Demonstrated advanced knowledge and understanding of the legislative process, public policy, and advocacy issues and processes.

• Strong advocacy experience and a thorough understanding of the issues faced by the military and veteran population, including the military family.

• Effective written and verbal communication skills.

• Effective presentation skills. Confident communicator with demonstrated ability to present information effectively to large audiences, small groups, and individuals and facilitate discussion, serving as a strong, effective representative of WWP.

• Strong organizational and time management skills. Ability to quickly adapt to changing priorities and ensure deadlines are met.

• Demonstrated ability to establish credibility, be decisive, influence others, and effect change.

• Demonstrated ability to think strategically, analyze complex information, and offer creative, practical, and high-impact solutions.

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, e.g., Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.

• 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.

EXPERIENCE

Requirements

• Five years of legislative, advocacy, and policy experience, preferably in a government or non-profit organization.

• Three years of staff management or leadership experience.

• Three years organizing grassroots campaigns.

• Three years of experience coordinating casework and communicating with constituents.

• Excellent knowledge of the legislative processes and working with Members of Congress and Government personnel at the state and federal level.

Preferences

• Seven years of legislative, advocacy, and policy experience, preferably in a government or non-profit organization.

• Five years of military experience or working with veteran's or military service organizations.

• Five years of experience organizing grassroots campaigns.

• Five years of experience working in a Congressional office or an Executive branch office.

• Three years of experience working with a non-profit organization.

• Two years of community outreach experience.

• Experience with public speaking.

EDUCATION

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field of study. Equivalent combination of education, experience, training, or certification may be considered in lieu of degree.

Preferences

• Master’s degree.

CERTIFICATIONS & LICENSURE

Requirements:

• Valid state-issued driver’s license.

• Ability to obtain ASIST Certification within 1 year of hire.

Preferences:

• Certification in Community Advocacy or associated fields.

• ASIST Certification.

WORK ENVIRONMENT/PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• General office environment; temperature controlled.

• Up to 50% travel.

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Wounded 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."