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Executive Director
National Wildlife Federation
United States
USD 200k-240k / year
Posted on Apr 22, 2026
About Us:
Founded in 1936, the National Wildlife Federation (NWF) is 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 stripes.
The NWF's mission is to unite all Americans to ensure wildlife thrive in our rapidly changing world through programming focused on conserving wildlife, restoring habitats and waterways, expanding outdoor opportunities, connecting children with nature, and addressing the causes and consequences of climate change.
To complement this work, NWF Action Fund (NWFAF) was established in 1989 as a separate and distinct 501(c)(4) social welfare organization that works to advance key conservation issues through advocacy, elections, and accountability. Through a mix of focused grassroots, legislative and political campaigns, NWFAF fights for solutions to protect, restore, and connect wildlife habitat; transform wildlife conservation; and connect all Americans with wildlife and nature. While NWFAF shares a common mission and values with NWF, the Action Fund is legally independent and operates with its own board of directors, governance structure, and finances.
About the Role:
NWF Action Fund is hiring an Executive Director.
The Executive Director is responsible for the NWFAF’s primary purpose and electoral activities in federal, state and local elections. The Executive Director also oversees NWFAF’s connected National Wildlife Federation Political Committee. This includes developing programmatic and electoral work, supporting the board of directors, developing and managing budgets, and compliance.
NWFAF builds political power to embolden and support elected officials and candidates from both parties to take strong wildlife and conservation action, and serves as a central force uniting communities, organizations, and leaders from across the political spectrum around a common conservation vision. During a critically important electoral cycle, the Executive Director has an exciting opportunity to grow NWFAF’s work and impact.
The essential functions of the job will include:
- Grow NWFAF’s profile and influence with elected officials at all levels of government.
- Working with the Chief Advocacy Officer, oversee and strategically grow NWFAF’s primary purpose work, which includes public policy, advocacy, and campaigns in agriculture, climate, water, and public lands.
- Develop and execute NWFAF’s bipartisan electioneering strategies related to candidates, ballot measures and voter education to support efforts to protect wildlife and wild places and connect people with nature and the policies that support it.
- Identify a bipartisan slate of candidates for elected office who may be appropriate for support or opposition, and manage endorsement program in partnership with NWFAF Board, NWFAF CEO, and NWFAF senior staff.
- Organize efforts in support of endorsed candidates, including both coordinated and independent expenditures.
- Coordinate with NWFAF Board, NWFAF CEO, relevant NWFAF senior staff, and affiliates to identify ballot measures that may be appropriate for support or opposition.
- Build a broader conservation constituency.
- Build and secure meaningful, lasting grasstops and state (affiliate) advocacy programs on a cross-section of issues that support protection of wildlife and communities.
- Coordinate with the affiliated 501(c)(3) National Wildlife Federation staff to align conservation priorities.
- Execute critical fundraising responsibilities including but not limited to:
- Supporting the design and implementation of short and long term fundraising strategies
- Engage in stewardship with major gift and institutional prospects and donors with face-to-face meetings, presenting in virtual and/or in person events, various correspondence as appropriate, etc.
- Solicit qualified prospects for initial gifts and solicit renewal gifts from existing donors per fundraising strategy
- Identify and cultivate prospective major donors and institutional donors through personal and professional network
- In addition, this position requires strong nonprofit management skills including maintaining appropriate legal separation from the 501(c)(3). It also requires the ability to work with key stakeholders to ensure that NWFAF fulfills its 501(c)(4) and PAC reporting and compliance requirements, including laws governing lobbying and campaign finance.
Culture & People
- Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing team, fostering collaboration, trust, accountability, and open and clear communication.
- Model values-based leadership grounded in respect, transparency, and inclusion.
Authentic Partnerships
- Foster a culture that recognizes the One Federation model, upholds the We Believe, We Envision, and We Commit statements, and works collaboratively with affiliates to advance our common priorities.
- Expand our impact through authentic relationships with affiliates and with partners, while dedicating effort to reconnect and engage with partners and communities who have previously been excluded or who are under-represented.
- Cultivate partnerships across the political spectrum.
Financial & Operational Leadership
- Ensure disciplined financial planning, resource allocation, and performance accountability.
- Partner with Philanthropy on identifying and cultivating foundations and major donors to support the efforts of NWF.
- Build program business strategies to inform resource allocation and fundraising efforts.
- Work with the Chief Advocacy Officer and NWFAF board of directors to develop budgets to carry out the work of the Action Fund.
Qualifications
- 10+ years of experience with federal or state political affairs.
- 5+ years of experience working in affiliated c3/c4 organizations.
- Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science, Public Policy, Political Management, Economics, Business or related field
- Strong understanding of operating affiliated 501(c)(3), 501(c)(4) and connected PAC organizations, federal and state compliance, including compliance with Federal Election Commission (FEC), Internal Revenue Service (IRS), government ethics, and LDA and state lobbying rules, regulations and laws.
- Strong fundraising background, including foundation and major donor experience.
- Deep integrity and excellent values with a strong commitment to ethical action in relation to public policy work, lobbying, political engagement, grassroots organizing and campaign finance.
- Experience managing budgets of at least $1million.
- Experience supporting boards of directors.
- Strong ability to assess critical issues and trends, distill core elements and recommend appropriate political engagement and messaging.
- Excellent project management skills and ability to meet deadlines.
- Excellent computer and technology skills, including a working knowledge of social media and database management.
NWF and NWFAF are equal opportunity employers, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment with regard to any classes or characteristics protected by law. Applicants are invited to learn more at https://www.nwf.org/About-Us/Careers.
Location and Work Mode:
This position will be fully remote. National Wildlife Federation is committed to a flexible and empowered work environment with an authentic community of care for all staff.
For more information on Work Modes, please review the benefits section of our careers page: https://www.nwf.org/About-Us/Careers.
Physical requirements
Cognitive & Intellectual Requirements
- Ability to understand, analyze, and apply complex information, policies, and concepts
- Ability to exercise sound judgment, problem-solve, and make decisions in situations involving ambiguity or competing priorities
- Ability to maintain focus and sustained attention and manage multiple tasks or work-streams
- Ability to listen, interpret, and respond appropriately in discussions with colleagues, leadership, and external stakeholders
- Physical Requirements
- Ability to remain in a stationary position for extended periods of time while working at a computer or attending meetings
- Ability to operate standard office equipment, including computers, keyboards, monitors, telephones, and video conferencing tools
- Ability to communicate and exchange information in person, via telephone, and through electronic or virtual platforms
- Ability to read, review, and produce written and electronic documents, including prolonged use of computer screens
- Ability to move within an office or remote work environment to access files, meetings, or equipment as needed
Travel Requirements:
Some travel within the DC metro area required and potential for 5-8 trips within the United States.
Compensation and Benefits:
The salary range for this position is $200,000-$240,000 annually, 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 down 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 with regard to 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.