Senior Director, Public Policy & Advocacy

ABOUT US: Philanthropy Southeast (formerly the Southeastern Council of Foundations) is the premier philanthropic network for courageous leaders, ideas and resources focused on the American South and U.S. Virgin Islands. Our mission is to strengthen Southern philanthropy by welcoming our members to listen, learn and collaborate on ideas and actions to help build an equitable, prosperous South. We work to connect members to experts, innovations and best practices in philanthropy while promoting peer-to-peer learning and leadership development. By coming together, we spark transformative work that achieves lasting impact, advances equity, and builds a brighter future for the South, its communities and all its people.

From our inception in 1969, Philanthropy Southeast has been proactive in the public policy space. Our policy work has focused on promotion and defense of the field of philanthropy, educating policymakers on the impact of philanthropy and strengthening the ability of funders to address community priorities through grantmaking. This work is guided by a Public Policy Agenda approved annually by the Philanthropy Southeast Board of Trustees.

In addition to this work, Philanthropy Southeast’s commitment to promoting equity in our region has led to the development of several new policy priorities. Significant research indicates that systemic inequity in the Southeast is a key driver of distressing, long-running disparities that are detrimental to the well-being of individuals and communities. In short, systemic inequity presents a significant obstacle to philanthropy making a real, lasting impact.

Government policy, at all levels, can be a powerful tool to reverse the impact of inequity on our region and nation. To this end, Philanthropy Southeast’s Board of Trustees recently approved an advocacy agenda that guides our response to key policy issues tied to equity. The advocacy agenda guides our work on long-standing, persistent issues such as:

•             Strengthening Democracy

•             Economic Mobility & Access

•             Education Equity

•             Health Equity

•             Political Activity & Philanthropy

 

POSITION SUMMARY: The Senior Director of Public Policy & Advocacy will provide important thought leadership on how public policy issues affect philanthropy and Southern communities and will work to outline a roadmap that will deepen our members’ knowledge of relevant policy issues as well as strengthen relationships with members of Congress. The position will develop and manage activities that facilitate the engagement and education of our members in public policy and advocacy work that supports the organization’s agendas in both areas.

The ideal candidate will be experienced in encouraging and facilitating engagement between policymakers and stakeholders affected by pending legislation or regulations. Knowledge of legislators representing the Southeastern United States, an awareness of philanthropy, and an understanding of the charitable sector’s role and relationship to public policy, is preferred. The candidate should also possess the writing and speaking skills required to keep members informed and educated on public policy developments and opportunities for engagement.

Primary Responsibilities:

Government Relations & Advocacy

•             In collaboration with the CEO, senior staff and public policy/advocacy volunteer leaders, develop and implement a government relations and advocacy strategy in support of Philanthropy Southeast’s policy priorities and agendas.

•             Identify priority policy issues and legislation that support Philanthropy Southeast’s public policy and advocacy agendas. Communicate priorities to federal, state and local elected officials.

•             Build relationships with elected officials and government agencies and increase their understanding of philanthropy and the work of Philanthropy Southeast’s member organizations.

•             Work closely with Washington-based public affairs consultant to monitor and analyze state and federal legislation and policy developments affecting the field of philanthropy and the broader charitable sector that relate to Philanthropy Southeast’s public policy and advocacy agendas. Provide regular updates to Philanthropy Southeast staff, Board and members about specific policy proposals and/or legislation.

•             Create engagement strategies and opportunities for Philanthropy Southeast and Philanthropy Southeast members to build relationships with congressional leaders, regulators, and administrators both in Washington, D.C., and in the region. 

•             Build relationships with potential partner organizations and subject matter experts that can help educate members on key policy/advocacy issues.

•             Access networks through various regional and national philanthropic serving organizations (PSOs) to build relationship and knowledge about the sector.

•             Work with legislative tracking tools to provide relevant reports about legislation impacting philanthropy and the charitable sector at the federal and state levels.

•             Develop a range of materials to support the public policy and advocacy agendas such as legislative summaries, talking points, fact sheets and reports. Maintain up-to-date content on Philanthropy Southeast’s website describing policy and advocacy work for members and prospective members.

•             Provide leadership and consultation for Philanthropy Southeast’s Public Policy Committee, Advocacy Subcommittee and Board of Trustees on all policy and advocacy related issues. Develop committee materials including meeting agendas, facilitate meetings and recruit and educate new committee/subcommittee/Board members on public policy and advocacy priorities.

•             Represent Philanthropy Southeast on national public policy or issue-related committees when appropriate.

 

Programming & Education

•             Work directly with Philanthropy Southeast’s public affairs consultant to design 2–4 educational opportunities annually for members to increase knowledge of specific policies or regulations related to the public policy and advocacy agendas. 

•             Organize Philanthropy Southeast’s annual delegation of member organizations attending Foundations on the Hill (FOTH). Recruit and train FOTH attendees, organize educational opportunities, determine key priorities and messages for all meeting materials, support state delegations with scheduling or training as needed. Work with meeting planning consultant to coordinate all event logistics.

•             Working with the Vice President of Strategic Communications, develop and manage content for Philanthropy Southeast’s monthly public policy update informing members about relevant policy issues including pending legislation and regulatory changes affecting foundations, the field of philanthropy or related to Philanthropy Southeast’s advocacy agenda.

•             Work with Philanthropy Southeast’s online advocacy engagement and legislative tracking tools to maximize member usage and benefit.

•             Develop and coordinate 1–2 public policy and/or advocacy related sessions and speakers for Philanthropy Southeast’s Annual Meeting, including speaker identification, content development and facilitation.

•             Develop questions related to Philanthropy Southeast’s public policy and advocacy related work for a biennial member survey.

Regional Support

•             Help organize a gathering of state and local grantmaker associations designed to coordinate relevant policy messages or activities between these groups both at the state and local level.

•             Support state-level affinity groups on policy issues, both affiliated and non-affiliated with Philanthropy Southeast, as needed.

•             Support other related events that may occur throughout Philanthropy Southeast’s footprint to promote public policy goals and priorities. 

•             Provide leadership to affinity groups connected to Philanthropy Southeast on issues related to the public policy and advocacy agendas. Content may be delivered via in-person presentations, written updates, webinars, etc..

 

Desired Qualifications

•             Previous experience developing and implementing advocacy strategies. 

•             Experience developing relationships with elected officials and their staff.

•             Knowledgeable of policy issues impacting foundations and the charitable sector.

•             Previous experience with a membership association, grantmaking organization or nonprofit.

•             Bachelor’s or master’s degree in a relevant field such as public policy, public administration or nonprofit management a plus.

 

Essential Skills and Experience

•             Proven oral and written communication skills.

•             Accuracy and close attention to detail.

•             Strong customer service orientation – both external and internal.

•             Excellent interpersonal skills.

•             Maintains confidentiality and exercises good judgment. 

•             Unwavering commitment to Philanthropy Southeast’s values and mission.

•             Strong ability to organize and manage multiple priorities.

•             Ability to effectively adapt to schedule and priority changes.

•             Excellent team player.

•             Ability to perform duties with minimal supervision or guidance.

•             Strong organizational and project management skills.

 

Requirements

•             Up to 30 – 40% domestic travel expected in accordance with staff travel policy.

•             Able to travel by car and air.

•             Regular use of keyboard and internet.

•             Able to sit for extended periods of time.

•             Able to use office equipment.

 

Philanthropy Southeast is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against otherwise qualified applicants on the basis of race, ethnicity, age, sex, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, religious beliefs, nationality, place of origin, language, citizenship, disability, veteran status or appearance.

This position will be a hybrid of remote and in office work. Initially, the position will primarily be remote. 

How to Apply:

Interested candidates should submit a resume and cover letter to Jaci Bertrand, Vice President of Member Engagement at:

https://app.trinethire.com/confidential/jobs/58893-senior-director-of-public-policy-advocacy