Director of Government Relations

PURPOSE OF POSITION:

As a leader on the External Affairs team, the Director of Government Relations leads the organization’s efforts to shape public policy to advance reproductive health, rights, and justice in Wisconsin. This role develops and manages legislative strategies, builds partnerships with policymakers and community leaders, and ensures compliance with nonprofit and state lobbying laws. The Director is responsible for developing a government relations strategy and issue advocacy policy agenda through a reproductive justice and health equity lens in collaboration with partner organizations from those fields. The position is responsible for developing, implementing and managing infrastructure to support ongoing tracking of state, federal, and local policy. The Director will develop and maintain strategic, high-level community relationships that inform and support PPWI’s policy work and strategic plan. This role is also responsible for developing and maintaining systems to collaborate cross-departmentally to ensure that our policy agenda aligns with our strategic plan, current data, research, and community need.

KNOWLEDGE SKILLS & ABILITIES:

• Must be committed to providing excellent customer service and support the vision and values of Planned Parenthood of WI.

• Demonstrated experience with diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging, shown through political campaigns, community organizing, and/or civic engagement work.

• Effective communication skills (written and verbal) to explain public policy issues to staff, elected officials, government administrators, and organizational leaders.

• Knowledge of legislative and regulatory processes, and ability to communicate about them clearly.

• In-depth knowledge of Wisconsin’s reproductive health care delivery system, state and federal policy landscape, and the needs of underserved or marginalized communities.

• Proven success in organizing communities into action, legislative strategy, coalition-building, and issue advocacy at the state or local level.

• Proficient in Microsoft Office and Bill Tracker.

 EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s degree required in Public Policy, Political Science, Government Affairs, Nonprofit Management, or related field. Master’s degree preferred.

• 7 years of progressive experience in government relations and policy advocacy.

• An equivalent combination of education and experience from which comparable knowledge and abilities can be acquired may be considered. 

• Must have demonstrated supervisory experience.

SUPERVISORY EXPERIENCE: 

Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Predominantly sedentary with intermittent (15% or less of time in typical week) standing and walking 

Other physical requirements:

Repetitive motions of hands and wrists related to typing on a keyboard and using a mouse 

Holding, grasping, and/or gripping objects  

Kneeling, stooping, crawling 

Pushing/pulling

Vision and Hearing Abilities: 

Close vision reading 

Speaking 

Hearing 

May require lifting and/or carrying objects weighing Up to 25 pounds

WORKING CONDITIONS:

The position is generally performed in an office environment which involves occasional interruptions with normal noise levels.    Reasonable accommodations, however, may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform said essential functions.  

Occasional evening and/or weekend hours may be necessary

This position requires traveling statewide, therefore a valid driver’s license and auto insurance in accordance with agency liability standards is required. Must have transportation.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES:

• include, but are not limited to the following: 

Government Relations,  Policy Advocacy & Research

• Serve as the registered lobbyist for the organization.
• Lead development and execution of state and local legislative strategies in alignment with the organization’s policy agenda, strategic plan and overall agency mission.
• Draft testimony, support letters, position papers and talking points to advance PPWI legislative and political priorities.
• Research policy issues and recommend organizational positions.
• Serve as lead staff member to ensure collaborative-decision making on policy and legislative priorities.
• Lead and execute accountability efforts, ensuring broad stakeholder education and support of policy wins, and awareness and ongoing engagement in the event of an unsuccessful policy agenda.
• Ensure compliance with lobbying, ethics, and campaign finance rules.
• Monitor advocacy outcomes and report to leadership and partners.

Relationship Building

• Build strong relationships with elected officials and partners, administrative agencies, and staff; acting as a resource on issues related to PPWI’s work.
• Represent PPWI at coalition meetings & with community partners to build power to advance our policy agenda.
• Collaborate internally across departments and with other members of the External Affairs team to develop policy recommendations and related legislative strategies to advance comprehensive sexual and reproductive health care in Wisconsin.

Voter Education, Civic Engagement & Power Building

• Serve as a key partner to Director of Organizing to ensure organizing team is aware of legislative strategy and activities so they can build and execute strategies in support of our agenda.  
• Strengthen partnerships with community leaders and advocacy groups.
• Develop strategies that integrate grassroots organizing and policy advocacy.
• Represent the organization in coalitions and community forums.
• Understand the priorities of our partners and identify opportunities to collaborate in strategic decision-making of cross-movement issues.

Compliance, Governance & Organizational Leadership

• Serve on the External Affairs Leadership Team to align strategies.
• Coordinate with PPFA and coalitions to connect state and national strategies.
• Act as spokesperson and policy expert on reproductive health and justice.
• Ensure compliance with nonprofit, campaign finance, and lobbying regulations.
• Track and evaluate results, reporting to boards and leadership.
 Any job offer will be contingent upon the results of a background investigation.