Head of Corporate Policy

Compassion in World Farming was founded in 1967 by Peter Roberts, a British dairy farmer concerned about the growing disconnect between industrial agriculture and the well-being of animals and the environment. Today, Compassion is a powerful global movement dedicated to ending factory farming and transforming our food systems. We work to replace industrial animal agriculture with regenerative, humane, and sustainable practices that benefit animals, people, and the planet. The Head of Corporate Policy will oversee the implementation of corporate policy initiatives, ensuring strategic alignment to maximize impact for farmed animal welfare in the US. This role will provide high-level leadership in corporate engagement, campaigns, and advocacy, leveraging relationships with food businesses, producers, and key stakeholders to drive systemic change. The Head of Corporate Policy will report to the Senior Head of Corporate and Public Policy and manage a team dedicated to influencing corporate policy reforms that align with CIWF's mission and strategic objectives. This is a remote position with a preference for East Coast-based candidates.

Strategic Leadership & Integration:

• Under the guidance of their line manager and the U.S. Executive Director, develop and execute a unified strategy for corporate policy efforts, ensuring alignment with CIWF's mission and long-term alignment with our strategic objectives.

• Ensure all corporate policy initiatives deliver measurable welfare outcomes aligned with CIWF's 2030 impact goals (e.g., higher-welfare broiler adoption, cage-free and crate-free progress). Regularly evaluate performance and report measurable progress to senior leadership.

• In collaboration with other members of the US Leadership Team, ensure integration between corporate engagement and public policy advocacy efforts, fostering mutual support, collaboration, and alignment are effective for animals. Actively identify and leverage opportunities where corporate and public policy intersect to amplify impact, ensuring unified messaging, coordinated outreach, and shared strategic priorities.

• Drive organizational efficiency by prioritizing high-impact initiatives, maintaining clarity of focus, and ensuring timely delivery of strategic projects.

Corporate Policy & Engagement:

• Oversee corporate outreach strategies to ensure meaningful partnerships with food businesses, producers, and industry stakeholders.

• Directly manage key corporate accounts, ensuring smooth transitions from commitment to compliance on animal welfare policies.

• Maintain and strengthen relationships with corporate partners, ensuring ongoing engagement, collaboration, and impact tracking.

• Represent CIWF in corporate policy discussions, industry forums, conferences, and public platforms to enhance thought leadership.

• Oversee and support required outcomes to be delivered by the Senior Manager of Corporate Policy and Senior Research Manager, ensuring strategic alignment, timely execution, and effective coordination across teams.

Stakeholder Engagement & Relationship Management:

• Cultivate and maintain high-level relationships with food business executives, coalition partners, and agricultural leaders.

• Represent CIWF as a senior spokesperson and trusted partner in the corporate policy and food business space, demonstrating authority and thought leadership to external audiences

• Strengthen CIWF's partnerships to advance corporate policy objectives.

• Expand CIWF's influence by building coalitions, fostering collaboration with diverse stakeholders, and engaging across the corporate spectrum to drive meaningful change.

Strategic Communications & Media:

• Collaborate closely with the Head of Strategic Communications & Initiatives to align corporate policy messaging with broader communication strategies to amplify CIWF's presence in the United States.

• Operate with urgency and adaptability, anticipating challenges and delivering strategic solutions that advance CIWF's mission and support senior leadership decision-making.

• Act as spokesperson for CIWF on Corporate Policy matters.

• Provide corporate policy insights and collaborate on media opportunities, thought leadership pieces, speaking opportunities, and stakeholder engagement strategies.

Team Leadership & Development:

• Lead, mentor, and manage the Senior Manager of Corporate Policy, Senior Research Manager, and oversee the corporate policy team, ensuring strategic cohesion and professional growth.

• Foster professional growth and leadership development across the team, ensuring succession planning and skill-building to sustain CIWF's long-term success.

• Provide oversight and guidance on key initiatives, enhancing team efficiency and impact.

• Support internal training and capacity-building efforts to align staff with evolving policy strategies.

Education & Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in political science, animal welfare, business, or related field.

• Master's degree, J.D., or equivalent experience is preferred.

• Proven experience (7+ years) in corporate policy, animal advocacy, or a related field.
  • Expertise in corporate engagement and coalition building.
• Deep understanding of the US agricultural industry, farmed animal welfare, and food policy.
• Ability to navigate and build trust with external and internal stakeholders.
• Exceptional relationship management skills, with experience of engaging corporate leaders and a department/team.

Skills:

• Strong strategic thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• Commitment to CIWF's mission and a passion for advancing farmed animal welfare.
• Strong leadership and management skills, with the ability to integrate cross-functional teams to foster a collaborative environment.

Preferred qualities:

• Highly organized, strategic, and results-oriented, able to see the bigger picture while managing the details.
• High level of emotional intelligence.

Other:

• Travel (up to 25%) within the US and globally to fulfill the position's requirements.
• Actively promote and embody CIWF's equality, inclusion, and diversity values.
• Perform additional duties as required by their line manager.
• Passionate advocate for animals.

Compassion in World Farming provides one of the strongest benefit packages in the farmed animal protection movement, which includes:

• A comprehensive, nationwide health insurance plan that covers individuals, spouses, and families, with CIWF covering 70% of basic medical plan costs

• Up to 25 vacation days

• Eight federal holidays plus two additional floating holidays

• 20 days of sick leave

• Paid parental leave

• A 403b retirement plan with a 2% employer contribution

• A remote work environment with flexible schedules

• Monthly phone/internet stipend