Director, State Policy

Director, State Policy

About Sandy Hook Promise
Sandy Hook Promise Action Fund is a 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization committed to protecting all children from gun violence in schools, homes, and communities. The SHP Action Fund champions a holistic policy platform that promotes gun safety, youth mental health, and violence prevention education. The organization works at the state and federal level to pass nonpartisan legislation through inclusive partnerships, diverse grassroots education, and community mobilization. It is part of Sandy Hook Promise Foundation, founded and led by several family members whose loved ones were killed in the tragic mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School on December 14, 2012.
Commitment to Racial Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
SHP strives to ensure its culture and work environment reflect the values of race, diversity, equity, and inclusion (REDI) and is responsive to the views and issues of the diverse communities with which we live and work. SHP encourages individuals who have demonstrated a commitment to equity and inclusion to apply.

Position Summary
The Director, State Policy is a member of the Sandy Hook Promise Action Fund and can be located anywhere in the United States. With the input of senior team members, the Director guides and executes SHP’s state-level policy strategy. The Director will manage a portfolio of state legislative initiatives representing SHP’s policy agenda including, but not limited to, school/student safety, mental health, and firearm access. The Director will be responsible for designing multi-faceted strategies for introducing and passing the Action Fund’s signature policies. The Director drives goals for the organization’s brand and influence with key stakeholders, elected officials, and local partners in states, to advance the Action Fund mission. This fully remote position reports to the Vice President, State Policy and Engagement and will have the following responsibilities, with additional duties as assigned:

Primary Responsibilities

• Strengthen and advance the Action Fund’s policy priorities at the state level, including introducing and steering legislation through passage and implementation
• Analyze and track state legislative and regulatory developments to identify key legislative opportunities, including those warranting the development of new SHP signature policies
• Manage a state legislative portfolio including 4 – 5 distinct policy initiatives, simultaneously
• Manage junior staff, including coaching toward successful team outcomes

• Build and maintain relationships with key state legislators, governors, and issue leaders, educating them on issues important to SHP and SHP’s unique policy solutions
• Represent the Action Fund in state coalitions on mental health, school/student safety, and gun violence prevention

• Partner with engagement team to organize state advocacy days as well as advocacy and awareness events
• Work and collaborate with teammates from across the organization as necessary.
• Have a basic understanding of data literacy and willingness to use and refer to data.
• Other duties as identified given organizational needs.
• Travel on behalf of the organization (40 - 50%)

Desired Skills and Experience

• Commitment to Sandy Hook Promise’s mission and goals
• 7+ years working in policy at a state or local level, with direct experience tracking legislation and analyzing bills for their immediate and long-term impact
• Deep understanding of political and state legislative processes
• Demonstrated ability to think strategically and balance multiple high-level responsibilities simultaneously, including bringing projects or initiatives to scale
• Demonstrated commitment to principles of race, equity, diversity, and inclusion (REDI)
• Excellent writing, research, and verbal communications skills, with ability to produce high-quality analysis of laws and/or legislation, often under short notice
• Strong self-starter with previous team management experience
• Public speaking skills and willingness to speak on behalf of organization, often before legislators

Benefits and Salary Range
The salary range for this position is $100,000 - $110,000 ( New hires are typically brought into the organization at a salary closer to the start/middle of the range depending on qualifications and internal equity.).

SHP offers a competitive benefits package, including:

• Unlimited PTO

• Paid holidays and 10 days sick leave
• Paid parental leave
• Health, dental, and vision
• Employer paid life insurance and short- and long-term disability
• 401k match
• Employer Paid Employee Assistance Program.

Our organization operates within a distributed workforce, allowing for location flexibility across the country for most positions. We provide remote office support for all staff, which includes a laptop, home office reimbursement, monthly wifi reimbursement up to $40, and monthly cell phone reimbursement up to $50.

E qual Opportunity Employment
SHP is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We strive to be an employer of choice: where a diverse mix of talented people want to come and do their best work. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status, or any other protected characteristic. We are focused on promoting diversity, multiculturalism, and inclusion and believe deeply in having a workforce comprised of people of all beliefs and backgrounds who seek to prevent gun violence and stop the tragic loss of life. Members of all under-represented groups are encouraged to apply.

2pjvK624ou