Director, Public Policy and Advocacy

United Way of Greater Cincinnati: Director, Public Policy and Advocacy

United Way of Greater Cincinnati (UWGC) has an immediate opening for a Director of Public Policy and Advocacy. This position leads the execution of a robust and ambitious policy agenda aimed at supporting family economic mobility and prosperity across UWGC’s nine-county, three-state region. As a leading convenor and philanthropic investor, United Way aims to strengthen systems that support family well-being. A key focus of our systems strengthening efforts is through policy and advocacy aimed at achieving short-term and long-term wins that make systems work for families.

The Director of Public Policy and Advocacy directs all aspects of achieving this ambitious agenda. The position works with the community, coalitions, and colleagues to frame key issues, identify policy opportunities, and direct resources to achieve policy wins. The Director will guide the engagement of donors, volunteers, community, and nonprofit partners in advocacy to bring about systems change to achieve our mission. The Director leads government relations to develop, monitor, and maintain UWGC’s relationships at the local, state, and federal levels. The Director works closely with senior leadership and marketing colleagues to craft key stories about how policies impact families in our communities and how systems changes improve lives.

Key Areas of Responsibility

Frame United Way’s Public Policy Agenda and Lead Advocacy

• Lead the framing and creation of a robust, ambitious policy agenda aimed to support family economic mobility and prosperity across United Way’s footprint.
• Manage policy-related communication in collaboration with UWGC’s overall external engagement strategy.
• Assist in developing multimedia communications materials to communicate how public systems impact local families.
• Lead staff in the identification and implementation of strategies, initiatives, and public policy programs that could contribute to achieving UWGC’s agenda.
• Provide thought leadership and expertise on emerging social trends, community concerns, and political issues.
• Direct the establishment, measurement, and evaluation of public policy outcomes.

Drive United Way’s Public Policy Agenda through Key Collaboration

• Build and facilitate coalitions and collaborations of cross-sector partners, community members, and advocates to identify opportunities for policy wins and systems improvements.
• Bring flexibility and understanding to engage a diverse set of stakeholders to ensure that mutual values and missions drive the achievement of common goals.
• Stimulate innovation, collaboration, and cooperation between United Way, its agency and community partners, other United Ways, and state associations seeking to achieve similar goals and objectives.
• Engage donor groups in advocacy.
• Lead partners and volunteers toward aligned policy priorities to achieve specific outcomes.
• Influence community partners to incorporate UWGC public policy goals into their efforts.
• Provide public policy consultation as well as advocacy engagement opportunities to internal and external groups.

Lead United Way’s Government Relations

• Direct local, state, and federal government relations activities to support UWGC’s vision, mission, and annual business plans.
• Manage the board-level Public Policy Cabinet and analyze the risks and benefits for individual public policy positions.
• Prepare and implement measurable annual work plans to achieve public policy advocacy and systems change objectives.
• Identify developing issues of note or concern and counsel leadership and staff regarding potential advocacy or other needed actions.
• Direct contract lobbyists, advocacy investments, and grant funds, and key volunteer supports.

Minimum Qualifications

• Degree in Public Administration, Social Work, or a similar discipline, with a master’s degree preferred, or equivalent experience required.
• Eight or more years of professional work experience with demonstrated leadership experience in policy and advocacy efforts and/or coalition building and organizing.
• Strong understanding of family prosperity and economic mobility and the ways that policy and systems do and do not support those goals.
• Experience with volunteer management, coalition building, and leading cross-organizational teams.
• High proficiency in oral and written communication and significant employment experiences that demonstrate successful practice of interpersonal relationship skills.
• Computer skills, including experience with Microsoft Office products (specifically Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

Related Core Competencies

• Organizing skills to lead a movement to achieve key policy wins.
• Flexibility and ability to work with a diverse set of stakeholders.
• Understanding and compassion for working families experiencing poverty.
• Strong communication and issue framing skills.
• Skillfully maintains significantly positive relationships with others by being genuine and straightforward.
• Expertly negotiates tough situations with internal/external groups.

UWGC is an Equal Opportunity Employer Committed to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

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