Vice President of Government Affairs and Advocacy

## Job Title
Vice President of Government Affairs and Advocacy

## Position Description
Reporting to the President and CEO, the Vice President of Government Affairs and Advocacy is a senior executive leader responsible for the political strategy, government relations, advocacy, and civic engagement of Planned Parenthood of Michigan (PPMI) and Planned Parenthood Advocates of Michigan (PPAM). This leader sets and directs the organization’s legislative and budget agenda, oversees all 501(c)(4) advocacy and electoral operations through PPAM, and positions the organization to protect and expand access to sexual and reproductive health care across Michigan.

The Vice President leads the Government Affairs and Advocacy team, including the Senior Director of Government Affairs and the associate directors of constituency and field programs, and serves as a senior advisor to the CEO and Executive Leadership Team on political risk and opportunity. This leader will fully embody a commitment to race equity, evidenced in all interactions with colleagues, external stakeholders, and staff supervision.

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## Essential Functions

### Strategic & Political Leadership
– **Political and legislative strategy** — Sets and leads multi‑year political and legislative strategy aligned with PPMI’s mission and state/national priorities.
– **Executive advising** — Advises the President/CEO and Executive Leadership Team on political risk, opportunity, and positioning.
– **Representation** — Represents PPMI and PPAM in coalitions, negotiations, and high‑level public forums; serves as senior spokesperson.

### 501(c)(4) and Advocacy Oversight
– **C4 oversight** — Provides executive oversight of all PPAM 501(c)(4) functions including advocacy, electoral work, organizing, civic engagement, budgeting, and compliance.
– **Board liaison** — Serves as senior staff liaison to the PPAM Board and partners with board leadership on governance and political direction.
– **Compliance** — Ensures compliance with IRS rules, campaign finance law, and lobbying regulations; maintains clear separation between 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) activity.

### Legislative & Government Relations
– **Policy strategy** — Directs proactive and defensive strategy on abortion access, contraception, gender‑affirming care, insurance/Medicaid coverage, and health equity.
– **State funding** — Leads work to secure and protect state funding, including appropriations, supplemental funding, and administrative pathways.
– **Stakeholder relationships** — Builds and maintains strong relationships with Legislature, state agencies, Governor’s office, and local governments.
– **Lobbying oversight** — Oversees lobbying activity and required reporting, in coordination with contract lobbying firm.

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## Elections, Endorsements & Campaign Finance
– **Endorsement process** — Oversees endorsement process, candidate vetting, and political assessments.
– **Electoral strategy** — Designs and directs 501(c)(4)‑appropriate electoral strategy and coordinated campaign work.
– **Candidate pipeline** — Builds long‑term candidate pipelines and coordinates strategy with national/state partners.
– **PAC oversight** — Provides executive oversight of PAC contributions and reporting; ensures full legal compliance.

## Fundraising & Capacity Building
– **C4 fundraising** — Develops and implements 501(c)(4) fundraising strategy with development leadership.
– **Donor engagement** — Engages high‑capacity donors and political supporters.
– **Infrastructure building** — Builds scalable political infrastructure and clear performance metrics.

## Leadership & Collaboration
– **Team leadership** — Leads, develops, and evaluates the Government Affairs and Advocacy team.
– **Cross‑functional coordination** — Coordinates strategy with communications, development, organizing, and data teams.
– **Staff education** — Educates staff and board on 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) distinctions.
– **Executive reporting** — Keeps CEO informed on political strategy, C4 operations, and emerging risks.
– **Race equity** — Demonstrates commitment to race equity and holds self/team accountable.

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The above duties and responsibilities are not exhaustive. Additional duties may be assigned, and this job description may be amended at any time.

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## Qualifications and Experience

### Required
– **Bachelor’s degree** in Public Policy, Political Science, relevant field, or equivalent experience.
– **Ten+ years senior‑level leadership** in political strategy, public policy, campaigns, or advocacy with state‑level wins.
– **Experience with 501(c)(4)** or campaign operations.
– **Team leadership experience.**
– **Deep political judgment** and understanding of Michigan government and Legislature.
– **Strong compliance knowledge** of 501(c)(3)/501(c)(4) and campaign finance law.
– **Established credibility** in Michigan’s political landscape.
– **In‑depth knowledge** of reproductive health care delivery systems and policy landscape.
– **Proven success** in legislative strategy, endorsements, electoral strategy, and fundraising.
– **Strong executive presence** and ability to advise at highest organizational levels.
– **Commitment to reproductive freedom, health equity, and justice.**
– **Willingness to travel** and work flexible schedule.
– **Collaborative ability** across functional areas.
– **Commitment to Planned Parenthood’s mission, vision, and values.**

### Ability to
– Work under pressure on multiple projects and meet deadlines.
– Communicate effectively in writing and verbally, including public representation and sensitive negotiations.
– Work independently and collaboratively.
– Lead and work in remote environments.
– Handle stressful situations professionally.
– Maintain effective working relationships.
– Travel and work flexible schedules.
– Solve problems, analyze data, and manage projects.
– Exercise judgment, diplomacy, and maintain confidentiality.

### Preferred
– Advanced degree (JD, MPP, MPH, MPA, MBA) or equivalent experience.
– Direct experience with Michigan Legislature or state government.
– Michigan Lobbyist Agent Registration.

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## Key Requirements
– Commitment to advancing race(+) equity; interest in expanding knowledge of racial inequity.
– Awareness of multiple group identities; high self‑awareness, empathy, and humility.
– Ability to communicate clearly and act on identity/equity feedback.
– Accountability to diversity, equity, and inclusion principles.
– Understanding of identity dynamics in organizational culture.
– Commitment to Planned Parenthood’s *In This Together* service ethos, workplace values, and service standards.

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## Workplace Values and Commitments

## Supervisory Responsibility
Not applicable at this time. Supervisory responsibilities may be assigned as the team grows.

## Work Environment
Location: Hybrid (Remote/Lansing)
Employment Type: Full Time, Exempt
Travel Required: 25%; statewide travel required; valid driver’s license and auto insurance required.

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing essential functions. Reasonable accommodations may be made.

Noise level is usually quiet.

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## Physical Demands
The employee must be able to operate a computer and frequently engage in written and verbal communication. Occasional movement around office space may be required to access files and office machinery. Reasonable accommodations may be made.

Apply on our website at this link:  https://jobs.lever.co/ppmi/5133628d-3192-4d42-b141-952c9eb134d8