Senior Director of Policy

American Forest Foundation

. Shape AFF’s federal and state policy agenda .

Posted 10/23/2026full-timeWashington, D.C. • Washington • United StatesSenior💰 $131,682 - $164,628 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates extensive experience in public policy and advocacy, with a strong ability to develop actionable policy solutions and build coalitions among diverse stakeholders. Proven track record of managing multiple priorities and leading teams in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Public Policy ExperienceLegislative Strategy DevelopmentCoalition BuildingBipartisan EngagementProject Management

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Policy Solution DevelopmentLegislative Process UnderstandingFederal Appropriations KnowledgeRegulatory Policy ExperienceProgram ImplementationBudget ManagementConsultant ManagementAdvocacy Material CreationStakeholder EngagementStrategic Planning

Soft Skills

Strong Communication SkillsExcellent JudgmentInitiativeOrganizational SkillsAdaptability

Industry Keywords

Forestry PolicyConservationNatural ResourcesClimate PolicyRural DevelopmentUSDA KnowledgeU.S. Forest Service ExperienceNatural Resources Conservation ServiceFarm Service AgencyFarm Bill Experience

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Shape AFF’s federal and state policy agenda
Identify legislative, regulatory, administrative, and funding opportunities
Translate organizational priorities into actionable policy solutions
Build and maintain relationships with policymakers, agency leaders, and staff
Represent AFF in meetings and policy forums
Advance priorities through Congress, federal agencies, and state venues
Develop strategies involving legislation, appropriations, program implementation, rulemaking, and administrative pathways
Build and mobilize coalitions of landowners, conservation organizations, industry partners, state and local leaders, and other stakeholders
Ensure policy positions reflect family forest owners’ economic, operational, and capacity barriers
Collaborate with program, science, communications, development, and market teams
Create policy briefs, talking points, testimony, comments, presentations, and advocacy materials
Build workplans, manage policy priorities, coordinate consultants and external partners, track progress, and adapt strategy
Hire two direct reports in the first year

Requirements

What you’ll need

At least 10 years of progressively responsible experience in public policy, government affairs, advocacy, legislative or executive branch work
Demonstrated ability to develop policy solutions and build strategies toward adoption, funding, or implementation
Experience working with Congress, federal agencies, state government, or a combination
Strong understanding of legislative and executive branch processes
Record of building productive relationships across political, geographic, and organizational differences
Experience working effectively in bipartisan settings
Experience building coalitions and aligning diverse stakeholders around shared policy objectives
Strong written and verbal communication skills
Excellent judgment, initiative, organization, and project management skills
Ability to manage multiple priorities and adapt quickly
Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-moving, mission-driven environment
Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent combination of education and relevant professional experience
Ability and willingness to travel as needed
Especially helpful: experience with forestry, conservation, agriculture, natural resources, climate, rural development, or private-lands policy
Knowledge of USDA and its forestry and conservation agencies and programs
Experience with the U.S. Forest Service, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Farm Service Agency, or related programs
Experience with the Farm Bill, federal appropriations, regulatory or administrative policy, or federally funded program implementation
Existing relationships with relevant policymakers, agency officials, conservation organizations, landowner groups, or stakeholders
Experience managing consultants, contracts, direct reports, or policy-related budgets

Benefits

Comp & perks

A flexible work environment that respects life outside of work
Competitive compensation commensurate with experience
A comprehensive benefits package
Meaningful opportunities to shape policy and build new approaches
Mission-driven team focused on measurable conservation impact