Senior Director of Advocacy

Scion Executive Search (SES) has been exclusively retained by Farm Sanctuary to identify its next Senior Director of Advocacy (SDA). In this pivotal, fully remote role, the SDA will report directly to the CEO and be an integral part of the leadership team. This role will lead the organizations endeavors to drive advocacy forward, devising and executing strategic initiatives to further Farm Sanctuary's goal of ending animal agriculture and advocating for compassionate vegan lifestyles. Must have food system reform, or farm bill experience.

About Farm Sanctuary

Farm Sanctuary is a nonprofit founded in 1986 to combat the abuses of factory farming, advocate for a vegan world, and encourage a new awareness about farm animals and the benefits of cruelty-free living. Farm Sanctuary is the first organization of its kind, and there are now hundreds of farm animal sanctuaries worldwide. Today, Farm Sanctuary cares for hundreds of rescued animals at its Watkins Glen, NY, and Acton, CA, sanctuarieseach with an individual story. Farm Sanctuary operates on three pillars: rescue, education, and advocacy. Recognizing the intersection of animal agriculture with critical global issues like climate change, social justice, health, and the environment, Farm Sanctuary works holistically to stop cruelty at its source, change the food system, and build the good for animals, people, and the planet.

Position Overview

The Senior Director of Advocacy (SDA) at Farm Sanctuary is a key leadership position that requires a forward-thinking, collaborative approach. The ideal candidate will have a deep understanding of food system reform and a proven history of driving tangible results. As the SDA, you will be responsible for a spectrum of competencies, including advocacy at both the state and federal levels, grassroots mobilization, coalition development, and the expansion of nationwide community engagement initiatives. You will also work closely with senior management and Farm Sanctuary's legal team to pursue litigation and advocate for policies aimed at mitigating the adverse effects of animal agriculture while promoting a sustainable agricultural model that prioritizes the welfare of animals, humans, and the environment. In addition, Farm Sanctuary is exploring innovative ways to model alternatives to factor farming, including the development of a Land Trust, carbon ranching, and training for farmers who want to transition away from animal agriculture.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Scaling Community Engagement and Advocacy

• Develop and implement scalable advocacy strategies to expand Farm Sanctuary's impact and outreach at the local, state, and national levels.
• Establish and cultivate a community engagement function to enhance Farm Sanctuary's influence across diverse communities nationwide.
  
  

Advocacy Leadership

• Enhance Farm Sanctuary's holistic, resource-based, systems-level advocacy approach to transform U.S. food systems and broaden the scope of impact and initiatives.
• Take charge of federal, state, and local policy advocacy endeavors to shape legislation and regulations in alignment with Farm Sanctuary's mission.
• Collaborate with the General Counsel to identify strategic litigation opportunities addressing concerns surrounding animal agriculture and advocating for the ethical treatment of animals.
  
  

Strategic Planning and Direction

• Collaborate with the CEO, President, Founder, executive leadership team, and advocacy teamto establish strategic goals consistent with Farm Sanctuary's mission.
• Stay abreast of emerging trends, opportunities, and challenges within the advocacy sector, adjusting strategies as necessary.
• Offer leadership and direction to the advocacy team cultivating a culture of collaboration, inspiration, and innovation within the organization.
  
  

External Engagement and Partnerships

• Foster and nurture partnerships with essential stakeholders, such as non-governmental organizations (NGOs), government offices and agencies, academic institutions, and other allies.
• Serve as a representative of Farm Sanctuary at external forums, conferences, and media engagements to increase awareness, advocate for policy reforms, and champion the organization's initiatives and principles.
  
  

Resource Development and Fundraising

• Engage in development activities, including writing grants, cultivating donors, and participating in fundraising events to bolster support for advocacy and education initiatives.
• Work closely with the Chief Development Officer and fundraising team to pinpoint funding prospects and devise strategies for sustainable funding expansion.
  
  

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Must possess a minimum of five years of experience in food systems reform, policy advocacy, lobbying, or policy analysis.
• Demonstrated experience collaborating with coalitions, impacted groups, and nonprofit organizations.
• Previous experience in supervisory, management, and fundraising roles preferred.
• Proven track record of working with government agencies and legislative bodies.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills, including effective facilitation and the ability to empower high-performing teams.
• Alignment with Farm Sanctuary's core values of compassion, understanding, integrity, transformation, and freedom.
• Commitment to equity, social justice, and the principles embedded in Farm Sanctuary's mission.
• A reliable internet connection is required for all remote positions; the organization does not provide internet services.
• Farm Sanctuary welcomes candidates from diverse backgrounds and experiences, encouraging applications from individuals who may not meet all specified requirements but demonstrate a passion for the role.
  
  

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

In addition to a competitive base salary of $140,000-$150,000 DOE, Farm Sanctuary offers a competitive benefits package, including 13 paid holidays, generous paid time off, health, dental, vision, and life insurance, a 403(b) plan, flexible spending accounts, long-term disability insurance, free access to the CALM meditation app, and access to the Nivati wellness platform.

TO APPLY:

Farm Sanctuary has retained the services of Scion Executive Search, a national executive search firm specializing in mission-driven organization recruitment, to assist in conducting this important search. Please apply with your resume and cover letter formatted in Microsoft Word for immediate consideration via https://scionstaffing.com/job/11560/.

Review of applications, nominations, and expressions of interest will begin immediately and continue on a confidential basis until an appointment is made.

Farm Sanctuary embraces candidates from a range of backgrounds and experiences, regardless of whether they satisfy all the specified requirements. We encourage you to apply, even if you have an unconventional or non-traditional background.

ABOUT OUR FIRM:

Scion Executive Search is a national award-winning executive search firm. Our track record and recruitment process have made us one of the top recruitment firms in the United States. Through innovative team building and recruitment solutions, Scion Executive Search seamlessly bridges the gap in interim and executive searches.

We are proud to be part of the Forbes lists of the Best Recruitment Firms and the Best Executive Search Firms in America. Additionally, Scion has been recognized as a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing firm and a top recruitment firm by The Business Times. Additional information about our firm and our practices can be found online.

Scion Executive Search is an equal opportunity employer and service provider and does not discriminate based on race, religion, gender, gender identity, national origin, citizenship status, sexual orientation, disability, political affiliation, or any other protected class. We are committed to the principles of Equal Opportunity Employment and are dedicated to making employment decisions based on merit and value, for ourselves, our client companies, and the candidates we represent.

For opportunities located in a region that has enacted fair chance, arrest, or conviction-based employment ordinances, Scion Executive Search proactively follows the enacted guidance and considers for employment all qualifiedapplications with arrest and conviction records. We engage in socially conscious business practices and believe that diverse, equitable, inclusive, and non-biased talent and recruitment processes are foundational to the success of Scion as well as every client organization with whom we partner.