Public Policy Director

Status:          Full-time, Exempt 
Salary:          $110,000 – $125,000, depending on experience 
Report to:    Chief Strategy and Impact Officer 
Location:      Washington, DC. 
Supervises:  Two staff; Public Policy Manager and Public Policy Coordinator

Position overview
The Public Policy Director works to advance Esperanza United’s public policy and systems change priorities through education, policy development, strategic partnerships, coalition-building, and administrative advocacy for multi-disciplinary and cross-sector stakeholders. Priority issue areas include gender and social justice, immigration, enhancing safety and access to resources for gender-based violence (GBV) survivors, and how all of these impact and intersect with Latin@ communities. The Public Policy Director oversees the strategy and implementation of Esperanza United’s policy initiatives, supervises a team of two people, and serves as a leader within the organization, community, GBV field, and among other key stakeholders.

About us
Esperanza United mobilizes Latinas and Latin@ communities to end gender-based violence. Formerly Casa de Esperanza, Esperanza United was founded in 1982 by a small group of persevering Latinas as an emergency shelter in St. Paul, Minnesota. We continue to ground our work in community strengths and wisdom, as we serve Latin@s locally and nationwide.

Core responsibilities
•    Develop an annual public policy work plan and budget with clearly articulated policy goals, benchmarks, and outcomes
•    Lead a thriving public policy team, including implementing the workplan, supervising two staff, overseeing staff evaluations, and evaluating policy programming. Actively foster and contribute to staff professional development through mentorship and coaching
•    Provide leadership, direction, and oversight of public policy initiatives including but not limited to developing policy tools and resources and providing relevant training and technical assistance. Public policy materials include advisories and background memos for internal and external audiences, position papers and briefs, policy alerts and updates, and media talking points and materials. Work with the Communications team as needed and appropriate  
•    Develop mechanisms to ensure that Esperanza United’s   public policy decisions, strategic direction, and related materials and resources are based on the lived realities of Latin@s and are consistent with the mission of Esperanza United
•    Serve as an external spokesperson on policy issues and represent Esperanza United at conferences, meetings, and gatherings, as appropriate
•    Cultivate and nurture strong, effective, and meaningful relationships internally and externally with policymakers and their staff, federal agencies leadership and staff, Esperanza United’s Policy Advisory Council, and other relevant national leaders
•    Support the President and CEO, Chief Strategy and Impact Officer, C-Suite team, and other staff members prior to any relevant federal and state legislative and executive branch agency meetings with key talking points, data, and information
•    Advance the organizational policy agenda through authentic and strategic partnerships and coalitions with other national policy organizations, networks, and movements
•    Provide leadership and influence within the National Task Force to End Sexual and Domestic Violence (NTF), National Hispanic Leadership Agenda (NHLA), Alliance for Immigrant Survivors (AIS), and other national networks and coalitions focused on GBV and intersecting issues. For example, lead and coordinate key public policy efforts via the NHLA, including Esperanza United’s leadership on it, addressing the intersectionality of our work  
•    Support advancement and sustainability efforts, including regularly reporting on activities, collecting data, contributing to proposal development, and preparing information for funders and prospective funders
•    Integrate the philosophy, values, and mission of Esperanza United into all work
•    Model leadership to sustain a positive work environment that embodies Latin@ cultural strengths, interdependence, and communalism
•    Other duties as assigned

Education, experience, skills, and attributes
•    Advanced degree; J.D. strongly preferred
•    Minimum of ten years of experience in public policy, including at least three to five years of federal public policy experience
•    Five to seven years of management experience, including supervising staff or an equivalent combination of experience and training
•    Demonstrated leadership capabilities, including facilitating partnerships and collaboration, setting goals, working across teams and departments, and embodying organizational values
•    Issue expertise in gender-based violence and/or immigration and Latin@ communities strongly preferred
•    Strong relationship building with the ability to find common ground, build consensus, and strengthen the collaboration among diverse internal and external stakeholders
•    Experience developing long-term plans, tracking progress towards goals, and prioritizing and managing multiple projects simultaneously while ensuring deadlines are met
•    Bilingual (Spanish/English) and bicultural strongly preferred
•    Strong community awareness and astuteness
•    Superior skills in effective oral and written communication, including the ability to effectively respond to time-sensitive requests from policymakers, funders, and other key stakeholders
•    Excellent interpersonal and collaborative skills
•    Self-motivated, resourceful, and confident with planning, problem-solving, and responding thoughtfully to changing and, at times, uncertain conditions
•    Highly independent and good judgment
•    Understanding and application of intersectionality in all facets of work
•    Knowledge of and ability to use computers and other resources to effectively accomplish work
•    Ability to model behavior consistent with Esperanza United’s mission

Working environment
Esperanza United strives for a diverse, equitable, and inclusive work environment and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, national origin, sex, age, (dis)ability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, language, place of residence, political affiliation, veteran status, status regard to public assistance, or any other class protected by local, state, or federal law.  

Working conditions
Esperanza United strives for a fully inclusive work environment and expects all employees to fully accept all co-workers and participants regardless of race, religion, age, country of origin, immigration or citizenship status, sexual orientation, family status, or gender identity.

The above statements are not intended to encompass all functions and qualifications of this position; rather, they are intended to provide a general framework of the requirements of the position. Job incumbents may be required to perform other functions not specifically addressed in this job description.  Esperanza United offers a highly competitive salary and benefits, commensurate with experience and skills.

Travel Requirements
Some local and national travel expected. 

Salary
Competitive salary, based on qualifications and experience. Esperanza United is an equal opportunity employer. Range anticipated: $110,000 - $125,000 for full-time position.

Applicant must include resume and cover letter. Learn more about the organization at esperanzaunited.org.

Salary : $110,000 - $125,000