Senior Manager, Government Affairs

Salary Range: $95,000 - $110,000

 The Water Environment Federation (WEF) in Alexandria, VA is seeking a Senior Manager of Government Affairs (Sr. Mgr., GA) to support the WEF's regulatory and legislative policy monitoring and advocacy, and reports to the Managing Director of Government Affairs and Strategic Partnerships. The Sr. Mgr., GA will work with Congress and relevant federal agencies on legislative, regulatory, water policy matters, and other programs of interest to WEF members. Sr. Mgr., GA candidates should be a specialist in either regulatory or legislative matters, but not necessarily both. The Sr. Mgr., GA leads efforts to develop positions, strategies, and public comments that advance the interests of WEF and its members, particularly with the goal of advancing the WEF Strategic Goals. The Sr. Mgr., GA also works with WEF members, relevant WEF committees, and groups to advance WEF’s regulatory policy priorities through grassroots and membership engagement.

The Sr. Mgr. GA must thrive on initiative, problem solving, being agile, inclusive, and a team player. The ideal candidate will have experience leading and working in a high performing team, and success working across and supporting mission-based organizations to best help WEF serve the Water Community.

NOTE: This position is only open to hybrid work – 80% remote and 20% in-office (Alexandria, VA) – and requires travel (up to 25% of the year) into downtown DC and across the U.S to participate in relevant meetings.

Key Responsibilities

• Leads WEF’s engagement with regulatory agencies of jurisdiction in water policy and programs, including EPA, DOE, USDA, USGS, DOC, DOI, DOL, and others. Maintains constructive working relationships with senior officials within relevant agencies, and serve as WEF’s representative on official federal government advisory committees/boards.
• Monitors and engages with Congress on legislation that impacts water policy, infrastructure funding, and other issues that support WEF’s Strategic Goals, particularly workforce development and circular water economy.
• Guides and informs member committees, subcommittees, and teams on regulatory engagements.
• Coordinates closely with WEF staff and volunteer leadership to advance WEF’s policy positions and desired regulatory and legislative outcomes, particularly to advance WEF’s Strategic Plan and Goals.
• Advises and collaborates across WEF departments, including Business Development, MA Engagement, Communications, and Educational Programming, on opportunities stemming from regulatory or policy changes.
• Provides subject matter expertise and thought leadership through internal and external materials, such as webinars, continuing education products, technical publications, and policy position papers.
• Contributes to WEF issue campaigns, such as Water Advocates calls-to-action, and periodic articles in WE&T, SmartBrief, and other publications.
• Serves as subject matter expert on legislative or regulatory policy matters for WEF and WEF’s members.
• Seeks opportunities to grow WEF’s profile in the water sector while coordinating with other WEF Departments to provide excellent customer service to existing members.
• Coordinates with partner associations to align policy positions and priorities and identify opportunities for unified advocacy.
• Develop constructive, respectful, and effective relationships with governmental and non-governmental stakeholders to enhance WEF’s reputation across the water sector.
• Represents and presents on behalf of WEF at conferences, meetings, and events.
• Other duties as assigned within scope of the position.

Experience and Qualifications

• Knowledge of existing and emerging water regulatory, legislative, and policy matters, particularly in areas that align with WEF’s Strategic Goals.
• Experience analyzing, influencing, implementing, or adapting regulatory or legislative issues.
• Undergraduate degree required.
• 7+ or more years full-time experience in related field(s).
• Demonstrated results-oriented team leadership.
• Excellent program management abilities, including strong planning, time management, and basic budget management skills.
• Ability to write and speak clearly and persuasively with Executives and federal officials.
• Ability to resolve conflicts quickly, fairly, and diplomatically.
• Strong customer service orientation.
• Motivated to seek new challenges with a creative and learning mindset.
• Willingness to travel and present at conferences, meetings, and industry related events up to 25%.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite.
• Preferred qualifications:

At WEF, we are committed to an interview experience that is authentic, transparent, and equitable. Candidates are asked to answer interview questions in their own words, without real-time AI assistance, so we can fairly assess individual experiences, skills and qualifications.
To support a genuine interview experience, WEF’s interviewers also refrain from using AI tools during live interviews. If a candidate’s responses appear inconsistent or suggest outside assistance, WEF’s interviewers may pause to clarify or adjust the interview to maintain fairness for all candidates.
These measures are not intended to be punitive; rather, they aim to ensure a consistent evaluation process that aligns to WEF’s cultural and ethical principles.

This person will work primarily in an office environment using standard office equipment. WEF is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.