Employment

Alabama Arise is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, creed, sex, age, disability, marital or parental status, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, veteran or military status, or any other characteristics protected under applicable law. We encourage candidates who are a racial or ethnic minority, LGBTQ+, low-income or marginalized in other ways to apply.

Job announcement: Policy and Advocacy Director

Alabama Arise is seeking a Policy and Advocacy Director to advance our work for dignity, equity and justice for Alabamians who are marginalized by poverty. The ideal candidate will be an experienced manager and public policy advocate. They will have a proven ability to lead teams and coalitions and to foster trusting relationships with people from every background and walk of life. They will advocate for more equitable policy solutions with attention to the role of class, race, age, ability and immigration status in access to power and opportunity, and proactively include directly impacted people in planning and decision-making. They will be committed to getting results in a fast-paced environment without sacrificing input or quality. And they will have the resilience to navigate setbacks with an eye toward new opportunities.

Who we are

Alabama Arise is a statewide nonprofit, member-led organization advancing public policies to improve the lives of Alabamians who are marginalized by poverty. Our membership includes faith-based, community, nonprofit and civic groups, grassroots leaders and individuals from across Alabama. We also recognize the decisive role that racism plays in creating barriers to political participation and economic equality and have an organizational commitment to advance racial equity and inclusion both internally and externally.

Through Arise, groups and individuals join together to promote state policies to improve the lives of people marginalized because of poverty. Each year, Arise organizers engage directly impacted communities in community listening sessions and our members propose legislative priorities for our proactive legislative agenda. The Arise policy team is key to advancing the policy priorities identified by our membership and base. By uniting policy analysis, advocacy and organizing, Arise provides a structure in which Alabamians can engage in public debates to promote the common good.

Position

The Policy and Advocacy Director ensures that Arise’s policy research and analysis, advocacy and legislative engagement have the most impact possible. This requires being knowledgeable about the political and advocacy landscape in each of our policy areas while coaching and training staff to be responsive and strategic in their work. As the lead of Arise’s policy team, you are also in charge of legislative campaigns and cultivating the relationships necessary to advance our goals through effective influence with policymakers. The Policy and Advocacy Director supervises a team of policy analysts and advocates, serving as a resource and supporting professional development. As a member of Arise’s leadership team, you are also a key contributor in working with the Arise Executive Director and Advancement and Operations Director to identify, secure and maintain funding for Arise’s work and priorities.

Arise’s policy team has a strong focus on advocacy goals that are rooted in the lived experiences of our constituents, solid analysis and sound commitment to our core mission, vision and values.

Key Responsibilities

1. Manage and direct Alabama Arise policy and advocacy work

• Structure, lead and coach teams to produce outstanding policy analysis, advocacy and public education materials.
• Oversee design and implementation of Arise issue campaigns, policy analysis and research.
• Track the progress of issue campaigns and policy research products and move projects to completion.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with a wide array of allies and partners in the advocacy sector, policy officials and staff, and the media to further Arise’s organizational goals, while supporting your team to do the same.
• Serve as a public spokesperson for Alabama Arise policy priorities with press and media outlets in coordination with the Communications Director, while supporting your team to do the same.
• Identify best practices and emergent strategies in the field and lead the integration of the same at Arise.

2. Guide Arise’s legislative and administrative advocacy strategies  

• Take an active role in creating, participating and securing collaboration between Arise and a diverse range of coalition partners to ensure successful policy outcomes through effective legislative engagement, advocacy, lobbying, organizing and grassroots support.
• Build trusted working relationships with Alabama legislators and decision makers from across the political spectrum.
• Represent Arise by delivering, facilitating and supporting the Arise team in crafting effective testimony in support of policy and legislative priorities.
• Guide and manage the legislative engagement of Arise policy staff, including submission of timely lobbyist registration and reporting forms.

3. Serve as a key member of the Arise leadership team

• Provide day-to-day leadership and management consistent with Arise’s mission and values.
• Along with the Communications Director, Advancement and Operations Director, Organizing Director and Executive Director, assist with setting a positive, professional, respectful, energetic and constructive organizational culture.
• Collaborate with the Arise Executive Director and development team to secure funding support for Arise’s policy and advocacy goals and to steward foundations, including through overseeing the policy team’s support for grant reporting.
• Lead the Policy Team in proactive goal setting, planning and staff evaluations.
• Attend and provide support at Arise board meetings and legislative committee meetings.

Keys to success

• Adopt a “problem solver” approach to organizational challenges.
• Be an open and available resource to colleagues across responsibility areas.
• Provide clear, timely feedback to managed staff on performance.
• Respond to inquiries from partners, stakeholders and funders in a timely manner.
• Adopt a proactive “manage up” posture with Arise’s Executive Director.
• Maintain a focus on and healthy tension between our goals of timeliness, accuracy and accessibility.
• Have prior legislative or administrative advocacy experience within Alabama, the South or another state (ideal, but not required).

Additional information

REPORTS TO: Executive Director

DIRECT REPORTS: Policy analysts (x2), Policy advocates (x3), Campaign Director, Contract Lobbyist

BASED IN: This position may be based outside of Arise’s Montgomery office, but will be expected to spend a significant portion of legislative sessions in Montgomery (minimum 3 days per week) and be willing to travel to Montgomery or elsewhere in Alabama for staff and Board meetings as necessary.

TRAVEL: Occasional travel within and out of state may be requested.

SALARY and BENEFITS: $85,000 - $95,000 annually. Arise also provides generous benefits including comprehensive health care, dental and vision coverage; generous vacation leave; and 10% SEP IRA contributions.

How to apply

Send a cover letter, resume, 3 references and 2 writing samples to info@alarise.org with the subject line “Policy and Advocacy Director” by Monday, June 17, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. CDT. No phone calls or other email inquiries, please.