Director, Advocacy and Government Relations

Job Summary:

The Director of Advocacy & Government Relations supports NVA’s public policy, legislative, and grassroots advocacy efforts across the United States and Canada for a network of more than 1,000 veterinary hospitals. This role is responsible for executing advocacy strategies that advance the NVA’s business and professional priorities at the federal, state/provincial, and local levels.

This individual will partner closely with the Political Action Committee (PAC) to evaluate and support candidates, legislation, and policy initiatives aligned with the veterinary profession and the organization’s strategic objectives.

This position also plays a critical role in building a culture of advocacy throughout the organization by educating hospital and support center teams on legislative issues, mobilizing grassroots engagement efforts, and creating opportunities for elected officials and policymakers to engage directly with veterinary professionals and hospital operations.

Key Job Duties:

Advocacy & Government Relations

• Execute NVA’s advocacy and government relations strategy across the U.S. and Canada.
• Monitor, analyze, and communicate legislative and regulatory developments impacting veterinary medicine, animal health, workforce issues, pharmacy, telemedicine, and related business operations.

Political Action Committee (PAC) Partnership

• Partner with PAC leadership to evaluate candidates, legislation, and political opportunities for support at the national and state/provincial levels.
• Provide strategic recommendations regarding political contributions, advocacy priorities, and relationship-building opportunities.
• Support PAC engagement initiatives, fundraising efforts, and political outreach activities in compliance with applicable regulations.

Grassroots Advocacy & Engagement

• Develop and activate grassroots advocacy programs to mobilize hospital and support center teams when legislative or regulatory action is needed.
• Create advocacy toolkits, action alerts, and communication campaigns to support employee engagement in public policy initiatives.
• Build advocacy champions and regional networks throughout the organization.

Education & Internal Communications

• Develop and deliver presentations, educational materials, and advocacy updates for hospital teams, field leadership, and support center associates.
• Educate internal stakeholders on the importance of advocacy, legislative developments, and the organization’s policy priorities.
• Present advocacy strategies, legislative updates, and PAC activities to executive leadership and other internal groups.

Legislative & Community Engagement

• Develop opportunities for legislators, regulators, and policymakers to visit hospitals, meet veterinary teams, and gain firsthand understanding of the profession and business.
• Coordinate legislative events, site visits, town halls, and stakeholder engagement opportunities.

Key Deliverables/Outcomes:

• Execute a comprehensive advocacy strategy aligned with organizational priorities.
• Increase employee participation and engagement in advocacy and grassroots initiatives.
• Coordinate successful legislative visits and hospital tours for elected officials and regulators.
• Deliver timely legislative analysis, advocacy communications, and executive presentations.
• Partner effectively with PAC leadership to support strategic political engagement efforts.

Qualifications and Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Political Science, Public Policy, Communications, Business, or related field required; advanced degree preferred.
• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree strongly preferred.
• 7+ years of experience in government relations, advocacy, public affairs, political strategy, or association management.
• Experience working with PACs, legislative affairs, or political engagement initiatives preferred.
• Strong knowledge of U.S. state and federal legislative processes; familiarity with Canadian government and regulatory structures preferred.
• Exceptional presentation, communication, and relationship-building skills.
• Demonstrated success developing grassroots advocacy programs and stakeholder engagement initiatives.
• Ability to influence and collaborate across a large, geographically diverse organization.
• Strong strategic thinking, organizational, and project management abilities.
• Ability to travel as needed for legislative meetings, conferences, hospital visits, and advocacy events.

FLSA Classification: Exempt