Job Description
OUR COMMUNITY
We live in a world where division, disparity, and poverty affect everyone. When we unite as changemakers at Greater Twin Cities United Way we can disrupt systems, unlock human potential, change narratives, create equitable solutions, and advocate for policies that result in lasting change. As an interconnected community focused on equity and inclusion, we can draw from our best minds, courageous leaders, responsive services, and collaborative partnerships, and bring forth working solutions to shape our future together.
Your Role in Participating: Director Advocacy and External Engagement
Your Department: Community Impact
Your Reporting Manager: Senior Vice President, Community Impact
OUR MISSION AND VALUES
Mission: Unite changemakers, advocate for social good and develop solutions to address the challenges no one can solve alone.
Values: Equity, collaboration, agility, and transparency
PRIMARY PURPOSE OF YOUR ROLE
The Director of Advocacy and External Engagement is accountable to the many stakeholder groups of Greater Twin Cities United Way – nonprofit partners, community leaders, board members, and donors. As an advocacy and external engagement leader this role is accountable to represent United Way’s point of view while simultaneously developing corporate and public engagement to influence and activate positive, systems change. This role will lead United Way’s presence at multiple coalition tables to advance the organization’s policy goals; work to support the organization’s SVP of Community Impact’s public engagement efforts; as well as activate both internal and external processes to increase advocacy engagement among United Way’s collective stakeholder groups. This role will lead with equity, working closely with a broad cross-section of internal and external partners to achieve positive outcomes that support community needs.
ROLE ACCOUNTABILITIES
External Engagement, Communications and Relationship Management (35%)
- Strengthen and expand United Way’s capacity to impact systems change through public policy, advocacy, and community education.
- Partner with Advancement in leading private and corporate donor advocacy engagement through education and partnerships.
- Partner with Community Impact, Marketing, Communications and Advancement teams to ensure consistent messaging, effective collateral development, and strategic organizational alignment, to ensure consistent messaging to all stakeholders.
- Lead and develop internal process development, staff and board education to support United Way’s policy agenda.
- Lead the execution of virtual, hybrid and in-person events that advance United Way’s Community Impact strategies and policy agenda to increase awareness, education, and engagement.
United Way Policy Agenda, Strategy Development and Execution (25%)
- Oversee all advocacy efforts (including lobbying), with direct leadership at the state legislative level on behalf of the GTCUW organization.
- Lead the development and execution of a strategic direction for GTCUW’s advocacy and policy agenda in alignment with Community Impact strategies and the communities United Way serves.
- Develop relationships with key stakeholders, including elected representatives, state officials, businesses and nonprofits.
- Work closely with Learning & Impact Strategy Team to identify, track and evaluate impact outcomes.
- Determine, manage, and oversee strategic grants and sponsorships.
- Lead and manage Plural policy tool, an AI legislative tracking tool.
Leadership (25%)
- Actively participates in Community Impact Leadership Team.
- Lead a dedicated team of professionals overseeing work in alignment with CI strategy.
- Hire, manage and develop an effective team, including consultant support where needed.
- Assess required competencies and develop staff to build the required skills needed to meet the organization’s goals and objectives.
- Develop, manage and communicate clear performance expectations and priorities. Share appropriate feedback in a timely manner and delegate effectively to ensure the mission, roles and responsibilities of each team member are clearly understood.
- Oversee, track, and manage team budgets.
Coalitions and Collaboration (15%)
- Drive strategy to build and mobilize aligned support for policy initiatives through coalitions and alliances.
- Serve as point of contact for United Worldwide advocacy efforts and coordinate action as needed.
- Actively participate and monitor work of coalitions aligned to United Way’s Community Impact strategy and vision, as appropriate.
COMPETENCIES THAT SUPPORT YOUR WORK
- Business Insight: applying knowledge of business and the marketplace to advance the organization’s goals
- Ability to Build Effective Networks: effectively builds formal and informal relationships networks inside and outside the organization.
- Demonstrated Strategic Mindset: thoughtfully translates forward thinking into breakthrough strategies.
- Commitment to Accountability: holding self and others accountable to meet commitments.
- Effective Communication: developing and delivering multi-mode communications that convey a clear understanding of the unique needs of different audiences.
- Interpersonal Savvy: relating openly and comfortably with diverse stakeholder groups and perspectives.
- Plans and Aligns: planning and prioritizing work to meet commitments aligned with organizational goals.
- Skilled at Instilling Trust: gaining the confidence and trust of others through honesty, integrity, and authenticity.
- Values Differences: recognizing the value that different perspectives and cultures bring to the organization.
- Situational Adaptability: adapting approach and demeanor in real time to match the shifting demands of different situations.
- Ability to Direct Work: Provides direction, delegates, and removes obstacles to get work done.
- Self-Awareness: Using a combination of feedback and reflection to gain productive insight into personal strengths and weaknesses.
- Demonstrated Drive for Results: Consistently achieving results, even under tough circumstances.
POSITION REQUIREMENTS
- Demonstrate 7+ years of leadership and program management experience. Direct experience in public policy, advocacy and/or coalitions is also a plus.
- Completion of a bachelor’s degree in public policy, business, strategic communications, or another applicable field, or equivalent working experience or education.
- Commitment to continuous improvement, with a focus on optimized work processes.
- Experience managing contracts and relationships with external vendors and consultants.
- Flexibility to work nights, weekends, and travel both within the nine-county area and to national meetings and conferences as needed.