Deputy Director of State Policy

Position Title: Deputy Director of State Policy

Inspired by Jewish values and ideals, MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger is a national advocacy organization working to end hunger among people of all faiths and backgrounds in the United States and Israel.

For nearly 40 years, MAZON has worked to ensure that laws, policies, and regulations governing access to food are available, accessible, and meaningful to those who need them, particularly populations whose unique needs are too often overlooked: veterans, currently serving military families, Indigenous communities, LGBTQ seniors, single mothers, college students, and the people of Puerto Rico and the territories. Our efforts are designed to provide people with the resources they need in a manner that is dignified and without judgement. All people — regardless of circumstance — must have access to adequate, nutritious food while retaining their choice, agency, and dignity.

MAZON is a leading national voice on anti-hunger issues. We work independently and in coalition with partners to protect and strengthen government nutrition programs that help people put food on the table, explore innovative solutions to persistent challenges to food security, and undertake unique strategies to bring such solutions to fruition. We educate communities across the country about the reality of hunger and how they can join us to help end it. We also provide funding to expand advocacy, training, and resources to nonprofit organizations across the United States and Israel, which includes a range of partnerships with local advocacy groups, food banks, legal service organizations, and statewide coalitions.

Position Overview

The Deputy Director of State Policy reports to and works closely with the VP of Public Affairs to implement MAZON’s state-level advocacy program, including developing its state advocacy priorities, providing information and materials to support the state advocacy efforts undertaken by MAZON, and representing MAZON’s position in state policymaking arenas. The Deputy Director of State Policy ensures that MAZON’s state advocacy complements its federal advocacy and that all state-based work of MAZON, including its Grants Program, its Legal Advocacy work and its Community Engagement work, are working in synergy. As such, the Deputy Director of State Policy works closely with the Grants Department, the Outreach Department, the Legal Advocacy Department and the Community Engagement Department. The Deputy Director of State Policy is responsible for identifying, cultivating, and maintaining significant partners to advance MAZON’s state legislative portfolio, including existing or lapsed partnerships, engaged with MAZON in its state-based work. 

The Deputy Director of State Policy is a hybrid position and has the option of conducting its in-office work in either MAZON’s Los Angeles or Washington, DC, office.

Duties & Responsibilities

·      Leading the development and advancement of MAZON’s state advocacy and policy work, including collaborating with key MAZON staff across departments to identify, implement, evaluate, and update the organization’s state-based priorities and the relationship between its grantmaking, its community engagement, its legal advocacy, and its state legislative work. This includes policy positions and state advocacy strategies as approved by the Board of Directors.

·      Serving as an effective and visible spokesperson for MAZON, increasing awareness of MAZON’s state advocacy and policy goals, and broadening MAZON’s reputation and visibility among elected and appointed officials, partner organizations, the media, and others.

·      Monitoring and responding to state anti-hunger legislation prioritized by MAZON, communicating about MAZON’s support or input to key legislative offices, and providing technical assistance to state lawmakers, grantees, Jewish community partners, and others.

·      Producing state policy-related materials such as action alerts, memos, fact sheets, and background information, as well as presentations for meetings and briefings to engage key stakeholders in MAZON’s state advocacy work.

·      Contributing content for website, blogs, and social media postings, including assistance with live social media advocacy campaigns.

·      Representing MAZON in coalition settings and helping to coordinate committees and coalitions for which MAZON participates and/or provides leadership.

·      Working with the Outreach and Community Engagement teams to strengthen and maintain relationships with synagogues, partner groups, and community organizations to advance state policies.

·      Other duties as assigned.

 Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience required. Advanced degree preferred.
• Four or more years of prior/related work experience with government agencies, or with relevant public policy or advocacy organizations highly desired.
• Knowledge of or experience with food insecurity policy issues highly desired, as is familiarity with MAZON’s priority issues.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills and strong analytical ability, particularly around policy and legislation.
• Outstanding relationship-building with the integrity, maturity, confidence, wisdom, and collaborative skills necessary to work effectively with a wide array of stakeholders.
• Record of success as a positive and persuasive leader and team player.
• Familiarity with the use of digital/social media technology in advocacy campaigns desired.
• Capacity to work independently, take initiative, and be self-directed.
• Demonstrated proficiency with MS Office required. Experience with Salesforce a plus.
• Ability to travel, including to represent MAZON at outside meetings

Compensation and Benefits

MAZON offers a compensation package that includes a competitive salary range of $80,000 to $90,000 per year. Employer-paid benefits include comprehensive medical insurance as well as Life/Disability/AD&D insurance. Other benefits include a 401K plan with an employer match, FSA participation, and dental, vision, and AFLAC insurance at a discounted group rate. MAZON offers a very generous vacation and sick time plan and holiday schedule, including all major Jewish holidays. We close early on Fridays in observance of Shabbat. We have a fun office environment (even virtually!) and a fantastic team who are dedicated to the meaningful work we do.

How to apply

Please send a cover letter and resume to hr@mazon.org, with Deputy Director of State Policy in the subject line. No phone calls, please.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and applicants will be contacted within 4–6 weeks of submission (potentially earlier) if they have been selected for an interview.

Please note: Applicants who meet our minimum application qualifications as outlined in the Job Description may be contacted to submit additional materials required by our hiring committee. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

MAZON is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer committed to diversity and inclusion, and encourages applications from all qualified individuals, including people of color, people with disabilities, people of all gender identities, people of all races and national origins, veterans and LBGTQIA individuals. We strive for a diverse workforce, and we acknowledge that our diversity also comes from our experiences and perspectives. We want all staff and team members to be treated with respect and dignity. We are committed to ensuring that you can carry out your assigned mission in an environment that is free from discrimination and harassment.