JOB POSTING: Policy & Legislative Director

Organization Description:

Voices for Progress is a national progressive “grasstops” advocacy organization that mobilizes opinion leaders, major political donors, and business and community leaders to advocate progressive priorities with policymakers. Over the last two years, it has worked on health care reform, climate change, federal budget and tax policy, and more.

Position Summary:

Voices for Progress is seeking a seasoned federal policy and legislative advocacy professional to lead our legislative work. This person will work directly with Voices’ president on policy issues, including the Clean Air Act/EPA authority, judicial nominations, the federal budget, and other issues as they arise. In addition, if Voices for Progress contracts to provide staff to a new non-connected progressive PAC, this person may play a senior role in directing those operations.

Duties and Responsibilities:
Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Directing the policy advocacy work of Voices for Progress, from strategy to implementation.
• Monitoring legislation and regulations, achieving expertise on key issues, and strategizing on the most effective way for Voices for Progress to maximize its impact.
• Preparing or supervising the preparation of background materials and talking points for grasstops members to use when they meet with or talk to elected officials, whether separately or in groups.
• Arranging meetings and calls between Voices for Progress grasstops members and policymakers.
• Lobbying on behalf of the organization and participating with Voices’ members in lobbying meetings.
• Facilitating policy briefings and trainings on advocacy skills and issues for grasstops members.
• Building relationships for the organization on Capitol Hill.
• Representing the organization at advocacy coalition meetings.
• Supervising one junior staff member.
• Occasionally performing a modest amount of development/fundraising and administrative work that comes as part of being a member of a small, start-up operation.
• Possible role in directing operations for a new non-connected PAC if Voices for Progress enters into an agreement to do so.

Education, Experience, & Abilities:

• Five or more years of experience on Capitol Hill, and/or in lobbying or nonprofit advocacy
• Demonstrated success in achieving policy outcomes on behalf of an organization or employer
• Builds new relationships easily
• Smart, savvy, an excellent writer, and a strategic thinker
• Preferred: Already has developed strong relationships among members of the Senate and House or their staffs
• Possibly preferred: Experience in directing a PAC

Physical Demands:

• Must be able to travel within the US several times per year, and travel between the office in downtown DC and Capitol Hill frequently.

Equal Employment Opportunity:

Voices for Progress, a project of The Advocacy Fund, is an equal opportunity employer. We strongly encourage and seek applications from women, people of color, and bilingual and bicultural individuals, as well as members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender communities. Applicants shall not be discriminated against because of race, religion, sex, national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, color, marital status, or medical condition including acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) and AIDS-related conditions.

Applicants with Disabilities:

Reasonable accommodation will be made so that qualified disabled applicants may participate in the application process. Please advise in writing of special needs at the time of application.

Application Instructions:

Please email the following items to voicesforprogressjobs [at] gmail [dot] com with “Policy & Legislative Director” in the subject line:

• Cover letter
• Resume
• Sample of a 2-3 page issue backgrounder you have previously prepared (if you have one available)
• Answers to the questions below

We offer a competitive salary, excellent benefits including fully paid health care premiums, and a collegial work environment.

Policy & Legislative Director Questionnaire

We closely read all cover letters, so there is no need to repeat here anything you have said in your cover letter. 

1. Your name:

2. Your daytime and evening numbers and the best time to reach you by phone:

3. Where did you see this job listing, aside from this website?

4. Why are you interested in this position?

5. What do you anticipate to be one challenge and one reward of working at Voices for Progress?

6. Please indicate the salary range you would expect to be paid for this position.

7. Additional comments (if you choose)

Reports to: President
FLSA Status: Exempt
EEOC Job Code: Managers
Supervisor: Yes

1/7/12