Director of Public Policy and Advocacy
Role: Director of Public Policy and Advocacy
Reports to: Chief Executive Officer
Program: 7000- Development
Department: Development
Location: Arlington Administration - 2116 Arlington Ave., Suite 100, Los Angeles, CA 90018
Setting: Not 100% Onsite
Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8am - 4:30pm
Status: Full-time/Exempt/Management
Benefits: Medical, Vision, Dental, Life Insurance, 403(b) Retirement plan, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), etc.
Openings: 1
SUMMARY:
The Director of Public Policy and Advocacy will work to make a difference in the lives of people experiencing homelessness and domestic violence by effectively developing and managing The People Concern’s policy and advocacy activities with local, state and federal governments and the community. The Public Policy and Advocacy Director will work directly with senior leadership, including the Chief Executive Officer, to advance a clear strategic plan to better position the agency to influence, inform and educate government officials and the community about important legislative issues affecting the people we serve. This role will develop policy positions and responses to help train and educate The People Concern’s staff, Board and program participants to advocate for policy reform.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
- Develop and manage an organization-wide advocacy strategy to implement The People Concern’s Strategic Plan, Vision 2028
- Stay informed about policy issues, including legislation, funding, and government administrative actions, relevant to housing, homelessness, domestic violence, social services and related areas that impact the work of The People Concern and the people we serve
- Keep informed of developments in the fields of philanthropy, fundraising, nonprofit management and governance, as well as homelessness, mental health, housing and domestic violence services and use this information to help the agency operate with initiative and innovation within the external affairs and communications function
- Create relevant policy briefs for leadership, staff and Board
- Coordinate meetings with elected officials and their staff for senior management and other relevant program staff, including program participants and people with lived experience, where appropriate
- Participate in community and political meetings to maintain/build relationships and provide education about The People Concern’s work and the needs of our clients
- Participate in key association and coalition events and meetings to further our advocacy agenda
- Be a thought partner to the CEO and the Executive Leadership Team by identifying, assessing and arranging participation/support for public policy efforts
- Communicate the agency’s public policy priorities and work with agency colleagues to advance advocacy efforts including grassroots advocacy campaigns, coalition efforts, and social media, earned media, and digital communication opportunities garner support for housing and resources for the people we serve
- Oversee the content and maintenance, in coordination with internal and external communications, of the Public Policy/Advocacy website and internal Sharepoint page
- Ensure representation at key policy and advocacy events and serve as the agency representative at external meetings
- Organize regular Sacramento and Washington DC advocacy trips, if appropriate
- Manage legislation tracker and database for tracking bills, political contacts, meetings, and relationships
- Ensure compliance with lobbying rules
- Represent The People Concern in public meetings and through written public comments
- Respond to questions and requests from entities and individuals including, but not limited to, government officials, community stakeholders, grassroots organizations, and provider/advocacy coalitions
- Develop proactive and reactive strategic approaches to proposed and implemented policies/legislation impacting those we serve
- Work with institutional giving and fundraising department to support as needed with public funding requests and to engage in broader conversations that pertain to government funding, philanthropy, and general stakeholder interest
- Regularly monitor expenditures of program budget
- Supervise policy and advocacy staff
Qualifications:
- Highly motivated self-starter, with proven ability to develop creative solutions
- Experience in Government relations, policy development or community organizing required. Experience working with city, county, state and federal elected officials and their staff is also required.
- Interest in the housing and social services field and passion for ending homelessness
- Knowledge of related issues, such as land use or housing development is helpful
- High level of initiative, creativity, and collaboration with internal and external stakeholders
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills and good time management skills
- Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel)
- Interpersonal skills and ability to work both individually and as part of a team
- Ability to work in an open setting with frequent communication with coworkers
- Willingness to learn and assist others
- Availability to work evenings and weekends
Work Environment:
- Combination of field and office environment
- On occasion walk or drive to different local sites
- Regularly required to sit, stand, bend and occasionally lift or carry up to 35 pounds
- Will necessitate working in busy and at times loud environments
- Will be exposed to elements like cold, heat, dust, noise and odor
- May need to bend, stoop, twist, and sit throughout the day
EXPECTED BEHAVIORS OF ALL STAFF
- Act as a role model
- Demonstrate a sense of responsibility
- Continuously learn and improve
- Acknowledge your own areas of improvement
- Hear and provide honest, specific and direct feedback
- Create an environment where everyone is welcomed valued and respected
- Collaborate
Equal Opportunity Employer
The People Concern is an equal opportunity employer dedicated to non-discrimination in employment. We select the most qualified individual for the job based on job-related qualifications regardless of race, color, age, sex, religion, national origin, disability, ancestry, marital status, credit history, sexual orientation, arrest and court record, genetic information, veteran status or any other status protected by federal, state or other applicable laws.
About the People Concern
The People Concern empowers the most vulnerable among us to rebuild their lives. One of Los Angeles County’s largest social services agencies, The People Concern was formed in 2016 in a merger of two trusted social service organizations based in Los Angeles County, OPCC and Lamp Community. Informed by more than fifty-eight years of work in the community, The People Concern is a leading provider of, and advocate for, evidence-based solutions to the multi-faceted challenges inherent in homelessness and domestic violence.
With compassion and profound respect for those we serve, we provide a fully integrated system of care – including outreach, interim housing, mental and medical health care, substance abuse services, domestic violence services, life skills & wellness programs, and permanent supportive housing – tailored to the unique needs of homeless individuals, survivors of domestic violence, challenged youth, and others who have nowhere else to turn.
The People Concern’s model of integrated and comprehensive care empowers our participants to navigate the multi-faceted obstacles in their lives, become their best selves, and ultimately, connect with and contribute to their communities.
Benefits & Perks
- Medical Insurance
- Vision Insurance
- Dental Insurance
- Retirement Planning (403b) & Matching
- Paid Holidays
- Paid Vacation Days
- Paid Sick Days
- Employee Assistance Plans (EAP)
- TELUS Health
- Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
- Basic Life / Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D)
- Voluntary Short- and Long-Term Disability
- Voluntary Pet Insurance
- Discounts on Hotels, Theme Parks, Concerts, Movies, Restaurants & More
- The People Concern University & Certificates
- Corporate Discounts
Other details
- Job Family Leadership
- Pay Type Salary
- Min Hiring Rate $100,000.00
- Max Hiring Rate $140,000.00
- Job Start Date Monday, May 19, 2025