Benefits Data Trust (BDT) seeks an Associate Director of Engagement who will work with the Chief Operating Officer to launch the inaugural Benefits Navigation Ecosystem initiative in Dallas, Texas. This initiative aims to lay the groundwork for building a sustainable, equitable, and impactful public benefits access system for the City of Dallas. Over a 2-year period, BDT will engage with residents, government, and community-based organizations to understand how benefits such as SNAP, ACP, and WIC are currently accessed and delivered in Dallas and identify the strategies, tools, and services needed to facilitate an equitable benefits access system.
The Associate Director of Engagement will help shape and validate BDT's city-based approach to assisting states and communities in creating dignified, equitable, and proactive benefits access systems. BDT will conduct user experience research and focus groups, engage and convene key stakeholders, and conduct targeted outreach experimentation to expose the needs and challenges facing eligible residents and the institutions and organizations that serve them. At the project's conclusion, BDT will deliver actionable recommendations to the City of Dallas on ways to support eligible residents to access and renew benefits. The ideal candidate is passionate about community engagement and health and human service collaboration, exceptionally skilled at external (business, non-profit, civic, and political) relationships, project management, and enjoys taking a concept from vision to reality. This is a 2-year position with the possibility of an extension, dependent upon additional funding.
The Associate Director of Engagement will manage the relationships needed to fulfill contract requirements in close collaboration with officials from the City of Dallas, Office of Community Care. They will work side-by-side with BDT teams responsible for delivering a strategic benefits access roadmap that will enable the City to build a system to allow eligible Dallas residents to access and renew benefits easily. They will keep BDT stakeholders informed of critical developments and seek appropriate guidance.
The Associate Director of Engagement will primarily focus on Dallas-based activities but will be expected to travel throughout the State of Texas, as requested. They will also travel to BDT offices in Philadelphia, when needed.
Based in Dallas (or the surrounding area), the Associate Director of Engagement reports to the Chief Operating Officer. BDT centers diversity, equity, and inclusion in nurturing an energetic and diverse workplace and serving people from all communities and backgrounds across the United States. Candidates should bring DEI maturity and be open to continuous improvement and learning.
Responsibilities:
•Develop and lead a relationship cultivation strategy, including active development, management and facilitation of state and local government partners and community-based stakeholders, necessary to facilitate an equitable benefits access system. A strong preference will be given to candidates who have already established civic, political, and administrative relationships within the City of Dallas
•Actively support all project activities by providing context and representing stakeholder expectations, requirements, timelines, deadlines, etc., at regular meetings
•Manage relationships with the Dallas Office of Community Care and ensure ongoing collaboration with City leaders throughout the project
•Build and maintain relationships with Texas city and state policymakers, advocates, anti-poverty, and health care stakeholders to leverage relevant benefit access policies in connection with BDT's policy and practice work
•Support the Philanthropy team and key Dallas stakeholders in identifying sustainable funding sources
•Provide partner-specific content for communication materials, contracts, scopes of work, budgets, and data-sharing agreements
Qualifications:
•At least ten years of relevant experience cultivating and managing relationships with government, community-based organizations, and philanthropy
•Superb organizational and project-management skills with the ability to change courses quickly and adapt to tight deadlines
•Professional experience networking and comfort with regular interaction with high-profile executives within both government and philanthropy settings
•Superior oral communication and presentation skills, with the ability to work with internal and external teams and network effectively
•Exceptional writing skills, with the ability to draft and edit a wide variety of materials
•Commitment to improving the lives of underserved people
•Ability to frequently travel throughout Dallas and occasionally across the state
•Keen understanding of the interplay among the non-profit, public (both political and administrative), and private sectors
•Knowledge and familiarity with the public benefits landscape are strongly preferred
•Demonstrated experience integrating diversity, equity, and inclusion into your work and accomplishments
The salary range starts at $100,000 and is commensurate with relevant experience.
About BDT:
Benefits Data Trust (BDT) improves health and financial security by harnessing the power of data, technology, and policy to provide dignified and equitable access to assistance. Together with a national network of government agencies and partners, we efficiently connect people today to programs that pay for food, healthcare, and more while helping to modernize benefits access for tomorrow. A nonprofit since 2005, BDT has secured more than $10 billion in benefits for households across the country, helping to reduce hunger and poverty and build pathways to economic mobility. Learn more about BDT - a proud recipient of a 2021 & 2022 Top Workplaces USA Award at bdtrust.org.