Director, External Affairs

Goodwill Industries of Kentucky is looking for an energetic, self-motivated, detail-oriented Director of External Affairs to join our growing dynamic team! The purpose of this position is to advance Goodwill Industries of Kentucky’s mission effectiveness by developing and advancing relationships with policymakers at all levels. This position reports to the Senior Director of External Affairs and supports the agency’s efforts within their assigned geographic area. If you are looking for an opportunity that allows you to reach new goals while striving in a high-energy, fast paced environment, the Director of External Affairs opportunity is for you.

Goodwill’s Mission is to connect Kentucky job seekers with the resources and services they need to find and maintain long-term employment and a career path. We serve Kentuckians who have disabilities or experience other challenges finding success in the workforce, such as criminal backgrounds, language barriers, limited education, lack of transportation and chronic poverty.

Job Type: Full-time, Exempt

Essential Duties and Tasks:

• Develops a thorough understanding of issues that affect the people Goodwill serves, including employment and economic conditions, public benefit systems, addiction, housing, criminal justice, and other pertinent issues.
• Develops strong professional relationships with policymakers at the local, state, and federal levels.
• Collects and analyzes data, research, and other information as needed to support the development of legislation, legislative agendas, and grant applications.
• Works with External Affairs team, and other business units, to develop Goodwill’s messaging.
• Drafts executive summaries to keep executive leadership informed of key issues and developments.
• Stays informed on existing and potential new laws, policies and program initiatives that relate to Goodwill’s participants.
• Develops and advances relationships with mission aligned community organizations to position Goodwill as a partner in their efforts, as well as speaking in a variety of venues on behalf of Goodwill regarding areas of policy and programming related to Goodwill’s participants.
• Contributes to building and maintaining a positive, inclusive culture that values diverse opinions, challenging work, and high levels of accountability.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree required, Master’s is degree preferred.
• Minimum of three (3) years’ experience in the field of public policy, external affairs, or public relations.
• Must have track record of experience in developing and nurturing relationships with policymakers.
• Must be highly motivated self-starter with a proven record of directing multiple projects and initiatives.
• Must have proficient verbal and written communication skills, exhibit a high degree of tact, diplomacy, and ability to build and maintain productive relationships with internal and external partners.
• Must have reliable transportation to and from work, proof of insurance, a valid driver’s license in the state of residence, and an acceptable driving record.

Physical Demands:

• This job may have physical requirements that are considered sedentary. Sedentary work involves sitting for extended periods of time; occasional bending, squatting, kneeling, stooping; good finger dexterity and feeling; frequent repetitive motions; talking, hearing, and visual acuity and occasionally lifting up to ten (10) pounds.
• Regular travel required to multiple locations across the entire state of Kentucky and occasional travel outside of Kentucky but within United States in addition to the assigned work location.

Benefits:

• 403(b) Plan
• Company 403(b) Matching Contributions
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Medical, Prescription, Dental & Vision Insurance
• Generous Vacation Time & 8 Paid Holidays
• Short and Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Life, Dependent Life and AD&D Insurance
• Voluntary Term Life Insurance

Goodwill Industries of Kentucky is an EEO/AA employer - M/F/Veteran/Disability/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)