Director of Public Policy

Director of Public Policy

POSITION SUMMARY

The Director of Public Policy is responsible for advocating on behalf of our organization’s policy agenda, representing Metro United Way in various coalitions and supporting alignment between our advocacy efforts and the organization’s impact investments.

This individual supports the Chief Policy Officer by conducting research, organizing and executing engagement activities and events, and representing the organization in external coalitions. Each of these activities requires being able to leverage the skills and knowledge of a wide network or partners, advocates, and other policy actors.

This position is also responsible for ensuring alignment between the organization’s formal policy agenda and on-the-group community impact strategies taking place and will work closely with Impact team colleagues.

Lastly, this position supports public policy initiatives and the public policy agenda at the local, state, and federal levels.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES / ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

1. Alongside the Chief Policy Officer, develop, plan and execute Metro United Way policy engagement events/programming.

2. Manage MUW’s Indiana Public Policy agenda and portfolio and support advocacy efforts in Kentucky and at the local government level.

3. Manage MUW’s digital mobilization platform and advocacy webpage in collaboration with the Marketing team.

4. Build and maintain strong relationships with community partners to support policy research and advocacy efforts, collecting stories and data and developing the capacity of partners to engage in public policy efforts that support MUW priorities.

5. Engage regularly with MUW program experts and data team members to ensure policy priorities undertaken by the organization build and support the organization’s existing work.

6. Continually vet MUW’s public policy priorities within the framework of organizational community impact strategies to ensure alignment and make recommendations for strengthening connections.

7. Support the Chief Policy Officer in collaborations and engagements with other departments to ensure policy efforts are lifted and advanced through collective work.

8. Other duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• 
  Experience: 3 years of experience in governmental affairs, public policy, research or related field
• Knowledge of and experience in quantitative and qualitative research methodologies
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; ability to speak and write clearly and concisely for a broad audience; ability to communicate tactfully and diplomatically with a variety of personalities
• Knowledge of local, state, and national public policy issues and political landscapes
• Excellent project management skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities
• Strong strategic thinking skills and ability to think creatively and problem solve
• Strong interpersonal skills including relationship building and collaboration with internal and external partners
• Ability to exercise sound judgment in all situations
• Must be able to take initiative, create and execute strategies, demonstrate leadership, work independently, and produce consistently high-quality work in a variety of tasks

Metro United Way Vision and Mission The vision of Metro United Way is that our regional community will be the most vital, caring community in the nation. Our mission is to improve lives by mobilizing the caring power of our community.