Director, State Advocacy

Overview

This Director, State Advocacy provides support and strengthens the capacity of Ys to be effective and engaged advocates. With a focus on state advocacy, this position proactively works with Y leadership to define and advance policy goals. The position will also identify and effectively communicate state trends and key policy issues; build and facilitate advocacy networks, and support grassroots initiatives. 

This position contributes to the department’s goals to: Identify, track and influence policy that impacts the Y; Connect Ys to government resources that build diverse revenue streams and improve sustainability; Engage in thought leadership on key issues and develop strategic partnerships that advance shared priorities; and Create a culture of advocacy that leverages relationships, brand reputation, and community impact to achieve policy objectives. 

This position can be located in the Government Relations and Policy office (Washington, DC), Y-USA Headquarters (Chicago), or in accordance with Y-USA's remote work policies. This position also requires significant travel for a variety of local, state and national Y events and meetings.  

The position will be responsible for specific states, however, flexibility is required as state assignments may change based on evolving staffing and state considerations. 

Responsibilities

• Builds, strengthens and supports Y advocacy, proactively working with State Alliance leadership to increase their advocacy capacity and effectively demonstrate the Ys’ community impact and benefit to public officials.  
• Proactively partners with Y leadership in states to identify and advance policy goals. Aligning with local and state leading practices, which include, but not limited to, developing statewide legislative agendas, effectively managing state lobbyists, supporting strategic collaborations and coalitions. 
• Helps identify state policy trends, key issues and potential initiatives and able to share in timely and strategic manner with appropriate stakeholders, ranging from Y-USA colleagues to nonprofit partners 
• Supports Y-USA's Leading Practices by facilitating and supporting advocacy networks to foster collaboration and information-sharing among Y advocates, and developing advocacy trainings, tools and resources. 
• Support Grassroots Advocacy and assist in advancing federal legislative priorities by promoting action alerts and other priority events and advocacy campaigns and supporting National Advocacy Days (annual.) 
• Provides proactive, expert legislative assistance and consulting to state alliances and local associations in resolving state and local legislative and regulatory issues, including tax/mission challenges. 
• Builds positive, effective working relationships with YMCA State Alliance leadership (includes Alliance staff, Y staff and volunteers, contract lobbyist and Y-USA colleagues.) Establishes and maintains clear, consistent, and frequent two-way communication, participating in virtual and in-person meeting/events as needed. 
• Maintain real-time updates of key alliance advocacy data, including key meeting dates, leadership and staff information, and other organizational processes to share information 
• Provides technical expertise and assistance with analyzing, writing and amending legislation, rules and other related communications related to Y legislative priorities. 

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred. 
• Minimum 8-10 years of direct policy or advocacy experience working as a lobbyist or in a position with state government or state legislatures. 
• Ability to travel between 25% to 30% of time. 
• Experience working with high-level government/elected officials and community leaders is required. 
• Knowledge of political and legislative processes and the role of effective advocacy. 
• Knowledge of policy issues that affect the nonprofit sector related to healthy living, youth development and social responsibility issues is preferred. 
• Possess excellent verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills, including excellent public speaking and facilitation skills. 
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to effectively manage complex tasks and schedules. 
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, Teams) and ability to learn and utilize CRM systems (Salesforce) and advocacy software (Quorum). 
• Self-motivated, must take initiative and think strategically.  
• Demonstrate a high-level of collaboration and communication with colleagues. 
• Requires a commitment to the YMCA character development values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility. 

Benefits

We offer a full benefits package including medical, dental, vision, defined benefit plan (retirement savings), defined contribution plan (403(b) plan, life and disability insurances, technology stipend, and generous paid time off, all in a work from anywhere in the U.S. workplace.

Posted Salary Range

Salary : $110,900 - $147,800