Policy Director, Georgia

The SPLC is seeking a Policy Director for Georgia experienced in public policy advocacy and committed to racial and economic justice! 

The Policy Director is a results-driven and experienced advocate, who is passionate about advancing a pro-democracy agenda and civil rights for society’s most vulnerable communities.  The Policy Director works under the supervision of the Regional Policy Director to advance SPLC’s policy objectives in Georgia via a multi-strategy advocacy agenda.  The Policy Director works with colleagues within the Policy department, State Office and Communications, and subject matter experts across SPLC’s Legal, Learning for Justice, and Intelligence Project departments. The Policy Director supervises the Policy Associate, directs state contract lobbyists and liaises directly with state and local elected and appointed officials, agencies, non-partisan advocacy organizations, direct service providers and directly impacted community members. 

Who You Are

Experienced. Demonstrated experience developing and implementing public policy advocacy initiatives, specifically executing local and state strategies on issues related to securing democracy, eradicating poverty, reimagining the youth and adult criminal legal system, and opposing hate and extremist ideologies that impact Black and Brown communities.

Supervisor. Dedication to high-quality supervision and mentoring direct reports to ensure development and execution of results driven outcomes.

Strategic, thoughtful and analytical. Ability to develop, manage and execute effective, data-driven local and state-level advocacy initiatives to achieve organizational priorities, including critical thinking skills, a keen understanding of political structures and necessary assessment tools to identify and evaluate opportunities and craft workplans outlining clear goals, objectives, strategies and tactics.

Effective Communicator. Skilled in listening and persuasive communication to articulate ideas, problems and solutions, in both written and oral presentations, to diverse audiences, including elected officials across political ideologies, directly impacted community members, stakeholders and the media.

Efficient. Ability to effectively manage time while working in a fast-paced environment often with competing and fluctuating deadlines. Must be able to pivot from one assignment to another and assess priorities to timely complete assignments.

Collaborative. Demonstrated ability to work in partnership with people of diverse backgrounds, including internal departments, external organizations and stakeholders, to execute specific policy strategies to advance the work of the Policy department.

Knowledgeable. Operational understanding of laws governing 501(c)(3) permissible lobbying activity and compliant time tracking.

Mission, Vision & Culture Alignment. Demonstrates an understanding of and a commitment to SPLC's mission, vision and values.

What You'll Do

• Develop and execute a strategic workplan to achieve organizational objectives in Georgia, through strategic local- and state-level policy engagements.

• Identify, secure, and respond to opportunities for SPLC to influence policy decisions at the local and state levels, including collaborating with federal and research policy team members, analyzing the racial and economic impact of proposed legislation, seeking the introduction of or commenting on proposed ordinances, legislation and administrative rules, submitting statements and letters, preparing advocacy materials, and meetings with elected and administrative officials and their staff.

• Secure, draft, and deliver or coordinate delivery of legislative testimony, sign-on letters and other advocacy assets to advance or defeat legislation at the local and state level, leveraging opportunities at the federal level in partnership with federal policy colleagues.

• Manage the Georgia Policy team, providing mentorship, performance evaluation and coaching, including hiring and disciplinary actions as needed.

• Oversee Georgia’s state-based lobbyists, including annual contract renewals, processing monthly retainer and expenses for payment, and directing their engagements.

• Assume a strategic leadership role in building and maintaining coalition spaces, ensuring diverse representation including the voices of directly impacted individuals, on advocacy issues consistent with SPLC’s priorities and strategies.

• Develop and maintain relationships with elected officials and their staff, allied organizations, direct service providers, community partners and other stakeholders.

• Serve as a spokesperson on matters related to Georgia’s policy priorities in media interviews, conference presentations, roundtables and other opportunities.

• Prepare documentation to the Chief Policy Officer and Regional Policy Director, including workplan progress, information necessary for board meetings, annual budgeting, and other assignments as directed.

• Perform other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties in this job classification.

Minimum Qualifications

We are committed to equitable hiring practices; therefore you must meet the minimum qualifications to be considered for the role.

• At least five (5) years of policy advocacy experience, including track record of developing, managing, and implementing campaigns to pass and oppose legislation as well as government agency rules and regulations; experience in a deeply partisan environment is a plus with a strong preference for relevant work within the assigned state for the role;

• At least two (2) years of experience in social justice/civil rights work;

• At least two (2) years of proven managerial experience of staff to include hiring, training, performance evaluation, discipline and mentoring;

• Demonstrated leadership in building and maintain an innovative and positive working culture, including commitment to JEDI principles within a policy department; and

• Highschool diploma or GED.

Compensation & Benefits

This is an exempt role, and the minimum starting salary is $164,300.00 annually. Salary will be commensurate with experience.

Click here to view the benefits available to SPLC staff.

Where & How You'll Work

This role has the following work designations options:

• Local Remote: Will work remotely but is expected to attend work-related activities that occur at the SPLC offices or in the states in which the SPLC operates.

• Telework: Will work at an SPLC office at least three days per week and may work two days per week from an alternative work location. This role reports to the Regional Policy Director.

Other Special Considerations

This job is performed under general office conditions and is not subject to any strenuous physical demands or dangerous conditions.

Disclaimer:

The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the employee in this position. These statements are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of a person in this position.

An Equal-Opportunity Employer with a Commitment to Diversity

Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) is proud to be an equal opportunity employer, and as an organization committed to diversity and the perspective of all voices, we consider applicants equally without regard to age, caregiver status, color, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, gender identity, marital status, national origin, on the basis of genetic information, political affiliation, pregnancy, or veteran status.