Senior Director of Policy

Founded in 1876, the Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) is the oldest conservation and recreation organization in the United States. Our mission is simple yet powerful: foster protection, enjoyment, and understanding of the outdoors. With a focus on protecting mountains, forests, waters, and trails throughout the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions, we envision a world where our natural resources are healthy, loved, and always protected, and where the outdoors occupies a place of central importance in every person’s life. 

This position aligns both paid and unpaid staff to move AMC’s mission and four strategic priorities: 

• Inspire joyous, meaningful outdoor experiences 
• Protect critical landscapes for the well-being of people and the outdoors 
• Cultivate and sustain a robust, diverse, and welcoming community 
• Foster equity in the outdoors 

With a nearly 150-year legacy of advocacy for public lands and outdoor recreation, AMC is looking to find a dynamic Senior Director of Policy who is excited to elevate the voices of our nearly 90,000 members. The Senior Director of Policy will champion AMC's conservation and outdoor recreation priorities by managing a team of public policy professionals working from Virginia to Maine at the state and federal levels.    

The position reports to the Vice President of Land and Conservation. This role focuses on shaping state and federal policies such as securing funding for land conservation, water resource protection, climate action, and outdoor accessibility and recreation. AMC is a leader in public policy and advocacy across the Northeast region, focusing on conserving large landscapes for ecosystem resilience, responsible forestry practices, and watershed stewardship, while focusing on diverse communities and outdoor enthusiasts.  The role will be responsible along with key staff leaders to continue AMC’s leadership of key coalitions including the Land and Water Conservation Fund Coalition, National Hydropower Reform Coalition, and the Northeast Forest Network.   

A qualified candidate will have a proven track record of leading and supporting diverse coalitions, as well as effectively engaging staff, volunteers, and elected officials to advance public policy priorities at the state and federal levels.  Collaborating with AMC's Lands, Research, and Trails departments and regional volunteer chapters will be instrumental in identifying and advancing the public policy issues that align with AMC's mission to promote the protection, enjoyment, and understanding of the outdoors. 

What You’ll Be Doing At AMC 

• Lead a staff of public policy professionals who are responsible for advancing state, regional, and federal conservation and recreation priorities across the Northeast.  

• Provide strategic direction in identifying and prioritizing AMC's policy initiatives related to conservation and outdoor recreation access in the Northeast, and providing leadership to AMC staff in advancing these priorities. 

• Cultivate relationships with state and federal legislators, agency officials, and their staff to influence conservation-oriented legislation and programs.  

• Coordinate with AMC's regional volunteer chapters, conservation staff, and partner advocacy organizations to develop cohesive strategies to advance our legislative agenda at the state and federal levels.  

• Analyze and interpret complex environmental policies, translating them into actionable plans for AMC's conservation efforts.  

• Represent AMC in coalitions, public forums, and media engagements to advocate for the organization's conservation priorities.  

• Draft policy briefs, testimony, and public comments on behalf of AMC for legislative and regulatory proceedings.  

• Organize and facilitate internal working groups to align AMC's conservation goals with policy opportunities.  

• Monitor and report on legislative and regulatory developments affecting AMC's mission and activities.  

• Aid in fundraising efforts and budget management to support AMC’s Policy department 

What AMC Is Looking For 

• Bachelor's degree in environmental policy, natural resource management, government relations or related field; Master's degree preferred. 

• Minimum 7 years of leadership experience in environmental advocacy, policy analysis, or related roles. 

• Strong management skills to support AMC’s professional policy team and to bring in new resources and team members to bolster AMC’s policy portfolio. 

• Demonstrated knowledge of conservation issues and policies specific to the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions. 

• Proven track record of influencing policy outcomes through strategic advocacy and relationship-building. 

• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to convey complex environmental concepts to diverse audiences. 

• Experience in coalition-building and leadership and working with diverse stakeholders. 

• Familiarity with state and federal legislative processes and environmental regulations. 

• Strong project management skills and ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment. 

• Passion for AMC's mission and a personal commitment to conservation and outdoor recreation. 

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Experience with environmental public policy and its intersection with land and water conservation.  

• Knowledge of outdoor recreation policy and equitable access issues.  

• Familiarity with grant writing and government funding mechanisms for conservation projects. 

• Understanding of diversity, equity, and inclusion principles in conservation and outdoor spaces. 

AMC values diversity in the workplace and encourages applications from all qualified candidates. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees