Senior Director, Policy

The Senior Director, Policy leads and develops policy initiatives and advocacy efforts at the federal level, provides leadership to and manages state policy engagements to Elevate’s mission. This position advises the Executive Team and Directors on strategy and risk management related to public policy, manages the policy team at Elevate, and manages the policy functions in coordination with other teams. The Senior Director, Policy also represents Elevate in key working groups, advisory groups, and forums with public and elected officials. 

The Senior Director, Policy reports directly to the Chief External Affairs Officer and works remotely with a willingness to travel as needed to Elevate’s corporate headquarters in Chicago, IL, to attend in-person meetings, Congressional hearings, and other relevant in-person policy activities, and attend meetings with funders, partners, and other relevant travel  This position also requires working outside of regular working hours, including but not limited to congressional hearings and meetings, policy forums, press conferences, and other key activities. 

Responsibilities 

• In partnership with the External Affairs, Programs, and Strategic Partnerships divisions, lead the overall development of Elevate’s federal policy strategies, actions, visibility, internal and external capacity building and provide leadership to, support, and supervise the Policy Team.
• Implement Elevate’s policy agenda at the federal level, working closely with the communications, research, and innovation teams to inform the development of advocacy tools and resources to support successful policy agenda execution.
• Collaborate closely with Elevate’s state policy staff to inform federal, state, and local strategies.
• Develop and maintain relationships with Members of Congress, their staff, key federal department staff, and other key policymaking bodies and influencers.
• Design and implement additional activities that spotlight Elevate’s issues, promising practices, and champions and encourage policymakers to adopt strong, principled positions on our policy issues.
• Ensure comprehensive internal communication to keep Elevate’s leadership and staff informed about key federal actions and the implications for our work.
• Represent Elevate at external policy forums, including in-person meetings, conference calls, and events outside daytime working hours and at short notice.
• Inform and delegate the execution of Elevate’s policy platform.
• Develop and implement strategies to impact state-level policy at scale through delegation and direct engagement.
• Works with Elevate’s legal and policy teams and across the organization to ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and local requirements governing nonprofit policy engagement.
• Lead and inform the development and implementation of Elevate’s policy platform, partnering across the organization, with strategic external partners, and with key stakeholders.
• Lead and inform the engagement of Elevate’s non-policy staff in policy-related advocacy as needed.
• Ensure, inform, and oversee Elevate’s participation in federal, state, and local policy-focused coalitions, networks, and working groups.
• Advise the organization on policy landscapes in new markets to target for expansion.
• Partner with the development team to engage policy team participation in developing relevant funding proposals, reports, and presentations.
• Work with the Policy Team to keep all Elevate staff informed on relevant policy issues and publish research reports and white papers to educate policymakers and stakeholders on mutual interests.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications and Skills

• Bachelor’s degree or advanced degree in a relevant subject area or equivalent work experience required
• At least ten (10 ) years of relevant professional experience tracking and analyzing legislative and regulatory actions at various legislative levels, for immediate and long-term impact. Including direct experience working on Capitol Hill, with federal departments, and in partnership with key stakeholders on both policy and regulatory initiatives
• Longstanding experience working with and on behalf of communities that have been historically disinvested
• Deep understanding of political and legislative processes
• Demonstrated ability to think strategically and balance multiple high-level responsibilities simultaneously, including bringing projects or initiatives to scale
• Familiarity with climate and environmental policy and its practical implications
• Bring joy and positivity and demonstrates persistence, initiative, creativity and flexibility
• Experience working within an organization and in collaboration with people of diverse backgrounds and cultures
• Works in a nonpartisan manner with a wide variety of partners in the advancement of policy and regulatory goals
• Excellent writing and verbal communication skills with the ability to produce high-quality analysis of laws and/or legislation, often under short notice
• Strong self-starter with previous team management experience
• Public speaking skills and ability to speak on behalf of the organization
• Ability to maintain confidentiality when required

Organization Description

We design and implement programs that reduce costs, protect people and the environment, and ensure the benefits of clean and efficient energy use reach those who need them most.

At Elevate, the greatest asset of our organization is the kind of people we attract. Elevate employees co-create our energetic and collaborative environment, where constant learning and service to others take priority. We empower individuals to challenge conventional thinking in pursuit of innovation, and we seek dynamic, hardworking team members who are inspired to work with people of diverse backgrounds and perspectives. Every day we make a difference by placing our team, clients, and community partners first. From our mission to our focus on staff wellbeing and career development opportunities, there’s no better place to grow your career than Elevate.

Compensation

The total compensation for this position includes health and welfare benefits (medical, dental, vision, etc.), defined contribution benefit (401k with contribution), professional development, generous paid time off policies, and a flexible schedule. This is an exempt individual contributor position with a salary range of $125,000 - $150,000, based on experience. 

Anti-Discrimination Policy

Elevate is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or job applicant based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, veteran status, or marital status. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, termination, promotion, transfer, layoff, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

ADA Accommodation

Elevate will reasonably accommodate qualified individuals with a disability so that they can perform the essential functions of a job unless doing so causes a direct threat to these individuals or others in the workplace, and the threat cannot be eliminated by reasonable accommodation, or if the accommodation creates an undue hardship to Elevate. Contact the People Team with any questions or requests for accommodations.

Salary : $125,000 - $150,000