Director, Online Community

Director Public Policy & Advocacy

The Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation is dedicated to curing spinal cord injury by advancing innovative research and improving quality of life for individuals and families impacted by paralysis.

The Reeve Foundation is the only national organization of its kind with a dual focus: Today's Care. A pioneer in the field of spinal cord injury (SCI) research, the Foundation has funded approximately $145 million in research, underscoring our commitment to bringing meaningful solutions to people with SCI.

The Foundation's National Paralysis Resource Center (NPRC) – the only federally funded entity dedicated to directly supporting the paralysis community -- provides the most comprehensive knowledge, tools, and personalized services for individuals impacted by paralysis through dedicated Information Specialists, a Quality-of-Life Grants Program, Peer & Family Support Program, Military and Veterans Program, and Public Policy.

Responsibilities:

• Creation and implementation of an advocacy and public policy strategy in support of the Reeve Foundation's priorities and mission.
• Maintenance of ongoing federal legislative and regulatory activities, contributing to the advancement of existing policies for the mobility impaired community.
• Representation of the Reeve Foundation on national public policy or issue-related committees and coalitions when appropriate.
• Supervision of 2 internal employees and oversight of a Washington, DC based consultant.
• Leadership role in defining and advancing the policy agenda of the spinal cord injury (SCI) and paralysis communities.
• Overseeing the work of the Public Policy Manager to ensure Foundation representation on 6-8 national coalitions and collaborative groups.
• Participation in policy briefings, public meetings, advocacy efforts, and serving as spokesperson as needed.
• Building relationships with potential partner organizations and subject matter experts that can help educate members on key policy/advocacy issues.
• Providing guidance to the Grassroots Advocacy Manager responsible for the effective recruitment and mobilization of the Reeve Foundations' 70 Regional Champions, and 10,000 online advocates using regular education efforts, webinars, fact sheets, and toolkits.
• Management of consultants on advocacy activities on Capitol Hill.
• Development of a range of materials to support the public policy and advocacy agendas such as talking points, fact sheets, newsletters, reports, and media content.
• Planning and execution of Congressional Advocacy Days, roundtables, and Regional Advocacy Training.
• Preparation of talking points and background information for President & CEO, if needed, for public appearances related to advocacy/public policy.
• Data management including submission of semi-annual reports to federal funder.
• Utilization of impact data from 6 NPRC programs to show value and protect annual federal funding.
• Creation, conduct, and analysis of needs assessment and other surveys to identify priority policy issues and legislation that support the Reeve Foundation and communicate priorities to community, elected officials, and other disability organizations.

Requirements:

• Four-year college (bachelor's degree) and 10 years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Significant professional experience in public policy, advocacy campaigns, research and analysis, and coalition building.
• Graduate degree in a related field.
• Deep knowledge of the current disability policy climate in government as well as the private and nonprofit communities.
• Excellent level English verbal, written, and presentation skills.
• Ability to collaborate well with others and build strong partnerships both internally and externally.
• Effective management of direct reports and demonstration of ability to lead, motivate, and direct staff.