Director of Communications and Policy
Get It Recruit - Marketing
Location
Sacramento, CA | United States
Job description
Organization Overview:
At our company, we are dedicated to forging alliances that propel impactful solutions towards a just and resilient world for both people and nature. Since our inception in 2000, we have spearheaded programs and projects aimed at championing intelligent policies, securing equitable public funding, and fostering robust constituencies dedicated to safeguarding nature, confronting the climate crisis, and promoting environmental equity and justice. Through strategic collaborations with philanthropy, non-profit organizations, community groups, government bodies, businesses, and academia, we have successfully protected over five million acres of land and ocean spaces, advanced crucial climate and environmental justice policies, and catalyzed over $30 billion in new public funding for conservation, equitable outdoor access, and climate initiatives.
We firmly believe in the power of strategic philanthropy and collaborative partnerships to achieve lasting, equitable impacts on a large scale. Our philanthropic partners entrust us to navigate complex, multi-year policy campaigns and initiatives. As a grantmaker, we provide support beyond financial aid to bolster grantees' capacity in reaching ambitious objectives. Additionally, we serve as fiscal sponsors to more than 20 projects nationwide and globally, all dedicated to advancing biodiversity protection, climate resilience and mitigation, as well as justice and equity outcomes.
Our achievements are intricately linked to social equity, community health, economic opportunity, and the fortification of democracy. In our commitment to safeguarding these achievements and preparing for the formidable challenge of climate change, we have played a pivotal role in launching two partner organizations: Fund for a Better Future, a 501(c)(4) social welfare organization, and Shared Ascent Fund, a 501(c)(3) public charity. These entities work at the intersection of democracy, environment, health, and equity.
Comprising a multi-disciplinary team of political strategists, coalition builders, grantmakers, communicators, and administrative professionals, we are steadfastly focused on delivering tangible results. Headquartered in Sacramento, California, our team is spread across the country.
To learn more about Resources Legacy Fund, visit our website.
Position Summary:
As the Director of Communications and Policy, you will assume the role of an accomplished leader and strategist, responsible for spearheading the development and execution of effective public policy, public funding, and communications initiatives in support of our programmatic and institutional objectives. Collaborating closely with executive leadership, program directors, and staff, you will be an integral member of our Leadership Team, providing cross-program alignment and coordination for both communications strategy and policy agenda development and implementation at federal, state, and local levels.
Your responsibilities will include overseeing a communications team tasked with supporting a blend of programmatic and institutional priorities, as well as leading a California policy and government affairs team dedicated to advancing our objectives in Sacramento. Additionally, you will be entrusted with building additional capacity within government relations and communications staff and consultants as necessary.
This position is full-time and exempt, reporting to the Vice President and General Counsel. It is a remote role with regular travel to Sacramento required, along with potential travel to other geographies where RLF is engaged.
Duties Include:
Policy:
Developing and leading effective policy and public engagement campaigns in collaboration with executive leadership and program directors.
Strategically utilizing the full range of advocacy capabilities, including lobbying and limited political advocacy, in alignment with the organization's 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) status.
Collaborating with program staff to conduct or commission policy research, public opinion research, and other field research, integrating insights into advocacy, grantmaking, and communications strategies.
Ensuring programs, policy team, and campaign partners are equipped with necessary policy analysis and support for the development and drafting of public comments and bill language.
Coordinating cross-programmatic efforts to cultivate and maintain collaborative relationships with policymakers, advocates, and stakeholders, including coalition building.
Representing RLF, FBF, and SAF effectively in key settings, meetings, and coalitions.
Supervising policy and government relations staff and supporting their professional development.
Communications:
Developing and leading effective communications strategies to advance RLF, FBF, and SAF priorities, encompassing internal institutional, programmatic, and external communications needs.
Coordinating crisis and rapid response communications, including media engagement, in collaboration with the communications, legal, and executive teams.
Ensuring effective positioning and representation of RLF, FBF, and SAF in communication with external audiences through various channels, including earned media, philanthropic sector publications, self-published materials, and speaking engagements.
Advising and training program staff on effective communications strategies, and assisting in the identification and selection of consultants to support program goals where necessary.
Supervising communications staff and supporting their professional development.
Cross-cutting:
Cultivating, expanding, and maximizing the use of staff, advisors, consultants, and grantee engagement.
Assisting in fundraising efforts for RLF, FBF, and SAF through collaboration with and support for the executive, program, and development teams.
Maintaining a commitment to meaningful collaboration with colleagues to seek opportunities for synergy across programs and projects.
Performing other duties and special projects as assigned.
Every team member who joins RLF is expected to embody our organizational values:
Collaboration: Building effective relationships, listening, respecting different perspectives, and elevating new leaders.
Equity: Elevating voices and building power within underrepresented communities to advance a just and equitable future.
Integrity: Cultivating trust within our organization and with our partners through dedication and genuine commitment.
Creativity: Embracing innovation and seeking innovative solutions to achieve lasting results.
Excellence: Aspiring to high standards of quality in everything we do.
Qualifications:
(Note: These qualifications are guidelines, not strict requirements. Candidates with approximately 75% of the qualifications are encouraged to apply.)
10-15 years of experience in government, public policy, campaigns, communications, and/or advocacy.
Commitment to collaborative efforts in advancing impactful climate, conservation, and environmental justice policies and funding.
Experience in building and managing effective teams of staff, advisors, and consultants.
Extensive knowledge of climate and environmental policy, processes, politics, and media, with a robust network in these areas. California experience is advantageous.
Experience in commissioning, interpreting, and applying public opinion research.
Demonstrated leadership in organizing and managing significant legislative, administrative, and/or political campaigns. Electoral and ballot measure experience is beneficial.
Experience in directing or participating at a significant level in public policy communications across various media outlets and formats.
Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with an ability to synthesize complex information into compelling written products.
Experience in developing and tracking outcomes and metrics to gauge the effectiveness of campaigns and advocacy strategies.
Capacity to manage and coordinate multiple projects simultaneously, with agility in responding to changing priorities.
Technological proficiency to learn and consistently use our preferred information management and communication tools.
Commitment to fostering a positive and inclusive work environment.
Good judgment and ability to work with humor and grace under pressure.
Willingness to travel.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion:
Our company is committed to creating and maintaining a work environment free from discrimination, where all team members feel valued, respected, and included. We are an equal opportunity employer and welcome applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability status, religious or political affiliation, marital status, or any other dimension of diversity. We believe that our work is enriched by the varied voices and perspectives of every staff and board member, and we are committed to recruiting
Employment Type: Full-Time
Salary: $ 180,000.00 200,000.00 Per Year
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