Director of Public Policy & Media Relations

## Full Job Description

The Director of Public Policy & Media Relations position is a unique opportunity for an individual committed to advancing survivor-centered legislation and policy through a lens of social justice. The Director works closely with the Vice President of Government & Public Relations to advance CCADV’s public policy agenda and bring increased media attention to the organization’s work. The Director will provide strong and thoughtful leadership in developing our annual policy agenda and lead advocacy efforts at the CT General Assembly. This position will oversee and strategically collaborate with the Policy & Advocacy Manager, providing support and guidance to their role in CCADV’s policy team.

The ideal candidate will have significant experience working with both policymakers and media, an understanding of and commitment to social justice advocacy and ending gender-based violence, be detail oriented, work well in a fast-paced setting, have a sense of humor, and be committed to coalition building.

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## SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES

The following descriptions include essential functions of the job and do not imply that these are the only duties to be performed. Employees will be required to follow other job-related duties as deemed necessary and requested by their supervisor or management.

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## Project Leadership

### Public Policy

– Lead the organization’s public policy initiatives including the development, implementation, and communication of CCADV’s annual public policy agenda and all related support materials including testimony, fact sheets, policy briefs, and action alerts.
– Build meaningful relationships with policymakers and community partners to ensure CCADV remains the leader on domestic violence policy in Connecticut and a respected voice at the State Capitol.
– Research, analyze, and monitor policy trends impacting domestic violence survivors, including legislation and statutes in other states, ensuring that CCADV policy proposals are rooted strongly in principles of social justice, aligned with current data, and reflective of best practices in the field.
– Draft and work to secure introduction of statutory language to advance CCADV legislative priorities and provide technical assistance to other stakeholders with respect to other statutes or legislative proposals and how they will impact survivors.
– Lead the development and execution of statewide and/or regional advocacy events and trainings, including working with the Policy & Advocacy Manager to provide support to member organizations who wish to lead such events.
– Lead coordination of the Domestic Violence Criminal Justice Response and Enhancement Advisory Council.
– Engage CCADV staff and member organizations, as well as survivors, in policy development, including strategic tracking and use of service and outcome data to support legislative proposals and funding requests.
– Supervise the Policy & Advocacy Manager, ensuring both positions collaborate to continue building upon strategic and impactful policy efforts with increased opportunities for member organization, survivor, and community partner engagement.
– Support CCADV project directors with appropriate administrative policy advocacy within governmental systems that impact survivor services.
– Assist the President & CEO and Vice President of Government & Public Relations with advocacy related to federal legislation impacting domestic violence funding and services in Connecticut, providing timely updates and regularly participating in national and regional meetings.
– Represent CCADV on related task forces, workgroups, and committees, and at state and national meetings, events, and conferences as assigned.

### Media Relations

– Lead oversight of media relations, consistently identifying opportunities to highlight CCADV projects and accomplishments through press releases and other media-centered events and interviews.
– Work collaboratively with the Vice President of Government & Public Relations and Director of Development & Communications on developing strategic organizational messaging that aligns with our mission and vision.
– Assist the President & CEO and Vice President of Government & Public Relations in providing timely responses to media inquiries, including gathering data and developing talking points, as well as scheduling interviews.
– Build meaningful relationships with members of the media and maintain an up-to-date list of media contacts.
– Work collaboratively with CCADV staff to understand and appropriately message statewide domestic violence service data to demonstrate impact.
– Work collaboratively with the Director of Development & Communications to provide training and technical assistance to member organizations specific to media relations.

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## Other Activities

– Collaborates with other CCADV staff and actively participates in the daily operations of CCADV.
– Participates, encourages, and promotes a diverse, equitable, and trauma-informed work environment.
– Interacts and communicates with Member Organizations in a manner that is trauma-informed and promotes a collaborative environment.
– Adapts to changing job priorities in accordance with CCADV’s needs, remaining positive and open to innovative ideas and developing new skills as needed.
– Participates in CCADV’s strategic planning process and implementation.
– Accepts personal accountability in the fulfillment of CCADV’s objectives and adherence to policies.
– Flexibility to travel, reliable transportation, and valid driver’s license.
– Ability to register as a lobbyist in Connecticut.

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## Knowledge & Skills

– Deep commitment to ending gender-based violence through an anti-oppression framework.
– Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
– Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
– Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with multiple priorities to manage.
– Ability to work independently, assess priorities, take initiative, manage multiple assignments, and meet deadlines.
– Knowledge and understanding of the CT General Assembly and basic legislative advocacy principles.
– Basic understanding of the services and programs of Connecticut’s domestic violence providers, as well as various statewide and governmental stakeholders.
– Upon hire, successful completion and maintenance of domestic violence counselor certification, per CGS 52-146k.
– Demonstrated understanding of and commitment to CCADV’s mission, as well as issues related to domestic violence.
– Understanding of client-centered, trauma-informed services and the unique needs of individuals experiencing domestic violence.
– Experience in effectively maintaining a healthy work environment for staff that encourages professionalism, respect, equality, diversity, and continuous improvement.
– Expertise in collaboration with diverse groups and individuals.
– Prominent level of proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite or related computer-based technology, spreadsheet software, and information databases.

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**Pay:** $80,000.00 – $85,000.00 per year

### Benefits
– Health insurance
– Paid time off

**Work Location:** In person

To apply, contact Bergen Battiston, Office Manager, (959) 202-5055