Associate Director of External Affairs
TITLE: Associate Director of External Affairs – Full-Time, Exempt
TEAM: Civic Engagement
SALARY: $75,000, plus commensurate with experience
REPORTS TO: Director of Civic Engagement
The mission of the Latino Policy Forum is to build the power, influence, and leadership of the Latino community through collective action to transform public policies that ensure the well-being of its community and society as a whole. Through advocacy and analysis, the Forum builds a foundation for equity, justice, and economic prosperity for the Latino community. By catalyzing policy change, the Forum works to improve education outcomes, advocate for affordable housing, promote just immigration policies and strengthen community leadership.
Position Summary
The Forum is seeking a full-time Associate Director of External Affairs to work closely with Forum leadership, state agencies, elected officials, and advocacy partners to identify, analyze, critique, and advocate for policy solutions that elevate immigration, housing, and other issues pertaining to Acuerdo partners and the Illinois Latino Agenda (ILA) coalitions. Under the supervision of the Director of Civic Engagement, this role also serves as the primary liaison to elected officials anddevelops and manages key external relationships including representing the Forum at select external coalitions. This position will play an auxiliary role to the Forum’s Education and Communications departments to coordinate opportunities for dissemination, collaboration, and external affairs.This position works in the Civic Engagement Department which manages the Forum’s housing, immigration, leadership, Illinois Latino Agenda and Acuerdo portfolios.
Responsibilites
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Lead staff in monitoring legislative, political, and external environment that could have an impact on Forum’s core issues as well as issues that impact Acuerdo and ILA partners.
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In consultation with the Director of Civic Engagement, develops the strategy and coordinatescivic engagement components of Forum legislative work, community partnerships, and external outreach.
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Lead liaison,working with team members, responsible for implementing policy and advocacy strategy to elected officials and government partners on housing and immigration issues. Supports education team on legislative policy.
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In consultation with the Civic Engagement Director and relevant Civic Engagement staff, sets and executes the implementation of the vision, strategy, agenda, goals, measure for success, for legislative work and external relationships
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Represents the Forum’s perspective and policy positions on select coalitions and issues, and to key elected officials and external stakeholders.
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In collaboration with CE Director manage and convene the Acuerdo and ILA coalitions.
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Supports CE Director in all departmental internal and external communications to conduct analysis and advance policy priorities developing policy briefs, fact sheets, and press releases, among other documents.
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Helps CE Director develop and execute the implementation of strategies and processes that engage community members to increase effective participation in housing and immigration issues and policy agenda.
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Provides managerial and supervisory oversight of staff and interns when needed.
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Develops the capacity of community members to support legislative activities (e.g., advocacy, testimony development, relationship-building, etc.).
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Develop responses and recommendations in support of or against select policies, programs, or systems. Convene stakeholder groups to provide recommendations and input.
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Other duties as assigned.
Requirements and Competencies
- MA or equivalent experience.
- Seven to ten years of experience in public policy, external affairs, nonprofit, and/or work in the Latino community.
- Superior communications (writing, speaking, and listening) and interpersonal skills.
- Self-starter, highly motivated, creative thinker, equity-minded, well-organized, and proven ability to meet goals/deadlines
Exceptional candidates will have:
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Bilingual -Spanish/English (written and spoken).
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Quorum, Salesforce, Adobe Suite.
Physical Requirements
Must be able to perform essential duties satisfactorily with reasonable accommodations. Work is generally done sitting, talking, hearing, and typing. Visual acuity to use a keyboard, prepare and analyze data and figures; transcribing, viewing a computer terminal; extensive reading.
Work Environment
Work is regularly performed in a professional office environment and routinely uses standard office equipment. Due to the pandemic, this position is on a temporary hybrid schedule. The Forum will continue to monitor guidance from government and health officials and the need for hybrid arrangements.
Compensation and Benefits
Salary commensurate on experience. Benefits include health and dental insurance; short-term and long-term disability; life insurance; 403(b)retirement plan with a company match; flexible spending account; PTO – vacation, personal, sick, and most holidays; flexible work schedules; professional development opportunities; partial cell phone reimbursement; transit benefit program
To Apply
To apply, please send a resume, one-page writing sample and cover letter to Resumes@latinopolicyforum.org, subject line: “Associate Director of External Affairs.” Applicants missing any required documents will not be considered. No calls please.
The Forum is an Equal Opportunity Employer that values and actively seeks diversity in its workforce. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, status as an individual with disability, age, protected veteran status, or any other status protected by law. POC are highly encouraged to apply.