Vice President, Policy & Government Relations

About United Way

United Way of Massachusetts Bay (UWMB) exists to build more equitable communities together. With over 85 years of local impact in eastern Massachusetts, we partner with our communities to build economic prosperity and enable everyone–across races and ethnicities–to access the knowledge, wealth and resources available. We believe that the key to unlocking opportunity is uniting people, and we bring together individuals, community leaders, corporate partners, legislators and organizations to build a powerful engine of change.

Organizational Overview

In 2023, United Way of Massachusetts Bay launched an ambitious effort to eradicate the conditions that lead to poverty and economic injustice. We’re investing in organizations that address the barriers faced by historically marginalized populations and organizations that ensure community perspectives and lived experiences are integrated into how they do their work.

United Way is advancing transformational impact through grantmaking, advocating for changes in public policy and leading thought leadership and research. These are our levers to deliver tangible outcomes in our impact areas to drive positive, population-level change. We are fueling new ideas, developing programs, and taking innovative approaches to solve some of the region’s most entrenched and systemic inequities. Our deep relationships with a broad network of partners on the ground position us to quickly raise and deploy resources when and where they are needed most, especially in times of crisis. Working in partnership with federal, state and municipal leaders, United Way is committed to a strong, effective and strategic public policy agenda to advance its community impact goals.

Position Overview

The Vice President of Policy and Government Relations will advance UWMB’s goals for systemic change by overseeing UWMB’s public policy strategy and leading its implementation. This role will work in close partnership with the President and Chief Executive Officer and leverage the CEO’s expertise and experience to drive the organization’s strategic policy agenda.

The position reports to the Chief of Communications and Public Affairs and will manage the public policy strategy, coordinate governmental affairs at the federal, state, and local levels, and mobilize stakeholders in support of UWMB’s public policy priorities. The VP of Policy and Governmental Relations will work with colleagues on the Community Impact team to ensure alignment of the public policy strategy to the needs of our communities.

Key responsibilities include strategic oversight of UWMB’s public policy priorities, management and coordination of outreach to elected, government and civic leaders, and collaboration within the Public Affairs team to build political and public will for the policy agenda through communications, messaging, storytelling and mobilization of stakeholders to implement the strategy.

The Vice President of Policy and Government Relations will be expected to work with offices of the Governor and Lieutenant Governor, Secretariats within the Executive Branch and the Legislature. The Vice President will also work collaboratively with United Way Worldwide in addressing policies at the federal level that affect the UW system and engage with local leaders (Mayors, Superintendents of Schools, etc.) in key focus communities.

The VP of Policy and Government Relations contributes to the broader goals of the organization and the Communications and Public Affairs team by:

• Elevating the public discourse and raising awareness of issues we are addressing;
• Building public will for solutions;
• Ensuring clear, consistent representation of the United Way brand and positioning the organization as a leader in the community;
• Advocating for systemic policy change to achieve desired results;
• Growing our reach among donors, advocates and volunteers.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee UWMB’s public policy strategy and lead its implementation.
• Work in close partnership with the President and Chief Executive Officer and leverage the CEO’s expertise and experience to drive the organization’s strategic policy agenda.
• Manage a centralized, coordinated approach to federal, state and municipal advocacy with elected officials and the administration, mayors and city councils.
• Identify, research, monitor key local, regional, state and federal public policy issues and track emerging policy developments in UWMB’s impact areas.
• Develop and maintain relationships with key elected and appointed officials (i.e. Congressional members and staff; state legislators and staff, state agency leadership; municipal leaders).
• Work in conjunction with UWW to advocate and work with them on relevant and emerging federal legislation and/or contributing to public comments when appropriate.
• Act as UWMB’s liaison with select state agencies, funders and community partners.
• Maintain database on elected and appointed public officials, legislation, political demographics and policy matters.
• Recruit and manage public policy volunteers and advocates.
• Lead and partner with colleagues to author and/or manage the development of policy reports, issue briefs, white papers, analysis and outreach materials such as legislative fact sheets.
• Supervise the Director of Public Policy.
• Oversee the Relationship Management of the UWMB-funded public policy partner agencies and organizations.
• Support grant writing and other resource development activities.
• Work collaboratively with communications and marketing team members on the Public Affairs team to articulate UWMB policy agenda and outcomes to the public, donors, volunteers and other key constituencies.
• Participate in and coordinate with statewide/national efforts with UWW and other United Ways in Massachusetts.

Requirements

• A bachelor’s degree is required; a relevant master’s degree is a plus.
• Minimum 10 years of experience in public policy, human services, or related areas. Experience in policy related to housing and homelessness is a plus. A track record of working in ways that contribute effectively to an organization’s ability to achieve its goals.
• Experience with and knowledge of the policy landscape in Massachusetts and/or experience working directly with legislators or on legislation/public policy campaigns.
• Ability to build consensus, collaborate with, convene and mobilize multiple partners and diverse stakeholders in efforts to produce specific deliverables and demonstrable policy outcomes.
• Content knowledge and/or experience in one or more of UMWB’s impact areas of economic inclusion and mobility, safe and stable housing, early education and out-of-school time, and pathways for youth and young adults.
• Strong knowledge of the communities within UWMB’s service area with the ability to connect with key community leaders. Demonstrated ability to work within a community setting with diverse populations, including community groups, elected and non-elected policy makers, businesspersons, professional staff and volunteers.
• Demonstrated experience supervising staff, as well as building, leading, motivating and mentoring teams of all skill and experience levels, both internal and external.
• Excellent writing, editing, verbal, facilitation, and presentation skills.
• Ability to meet aggressive deadlines, adapt to an ever-changing political timeline and environment, handle multiple priorities and strong creative problem-solving skills.
• Understanding of federal and state laws and regulations governing the ability of public charities to lobby, advocate or educate elected and appointed public officials.
• Be willing to register as an executive and legislative lobbyist in the State of Massachusetts and comply with all reporting requirements and/or “cooling off period” if applicable; proficient in the use of the MA Secretary of State’s Electronic Registration and Reporting System.
• Proficient in the use of the Microsoft software suite, InstaTrac and State House News Service.
• Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and to the mission of the United Way of Massachusetts Bay.

United Way of Massachusetts Bay is committed to hiring individuals who reflect the diversity of our communities.

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