Director of Government Relations

Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin, Inc.•Madison, WI

2d•$87,006•Onsite

About The Position

Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin, Inc. (PPWI) seeks a Director of Government Relations to lead efforts to shape public policy advancing reproductive health, rights, and justice in Wisconsin. The role develops and manages legislative strategies, builds partnerships with policymakers and community leaders, and ensures compliance with nonprofit and state lobbying laws. It develops government relations strategy and an issue advocacy policy agenda through a reproductive justice and health equity lens, in collaboration with partner organizations. The position also develops and manages infrastructure for tracking state, federal, and local policy; maintains strategic community relationships; and coordinates across departments so the policy agenda aligns with PPWI’s strategic plan, current data, research, and community needs. The Director serves as the organization’s registered lobbyist and policy expert, leads legislative strategy and advocacy, and represents PPWI with officials, coalitions, and community partners. The position includes supervisory responsibilities such as hiring, training, assigning and directing work, evaluating performance, and addressing employee concerns. The position is based at the Doty Street Administration Office in Madison, Wisconsin, and involves statewide travel. It is generally performed in an office environment. Occasional evening or weekend hours may be necessary. The role is 40 hours per week. Offers start at $87,006 per year; an additional $1.50 per hour is available for bilingual English/Spanish skills. Any offer is contingent on a background investigation.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Public Policy, Political Science, Government Affairs, Nonprofit Management, or a related field.
Seven years of progressive experience in government relations and policy advocacy.
Demonstrated supervisory experience.
Demonstrated experience with diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging through political campaigns, community organizing, and/or civic engagement work.
Effective written and verbal communication skills 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 needs of underserved or marginalized communities.
Proven success in community organizing, legislative strategy, coalition-building, and issue advocacy at the state or local level.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Bill Tracker.
Commitment to excellent customer service and support for PPWI’s vision and values.
Valid driver’s license, auto insurance meeting agency liability standards, and transportation for statewide travel.
Ability to meet the position’s physical requirements, including intermittent standing and walking, repetitive hand and wrist motions, gripping objects, kneeling, stooping, crawling, pushing or pulling, close vision, speaking, hearing, and lifting or carrying objects up to 25 pounds.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree.
Bilingual English/Spanish skills.

Responsibilities

Serve as PPWI’s registered lobbyist.
Develop and execute state and local legislative strategies aligned with the organization’s policy agenda, strategic plan, and mission.
Draft testimony, support letters, position papers, and talking points to advance legislative and political priorities.
Research policy issues and recommend organizational positions.
Lead collaborative decision-making on policy and legislative priorities.
Lead accountability efforts, including stakeholder education, support for policy wins, and ongoing engagement when policy goals are not achieved.
Ensure compliance with lobbying, ethics, and campaign finance rules.
Monitor advocacy outcomes and report to leadership and partners.
Build relationships with elected officials, administrative agencies, staff, and partners, serving as a resource on issues related to PPWI’s work.
Represent PPWI at coalition meetings and with community partners to advance the policy agenda.
Collaborate across departments and with the External Affairs team to develop policy recommendations and legislative strategies.
Partner with the Director of Organizing so the organizing team understands legislative strategy and can support the agenda.
Strengthen partnerships with community leaders and advocacy groups.
Develop strategies integrating grassroots organizing and policy advocacy.
Represent PPWI in coalitions and community forums; understand partner priorities and identify opportunities for cross-movement collaboration.
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.
Track and evaluate results and report to boards and leadership.
Supervise employees, including interviewing, hiring, training, planning and directing work, appraising performance, rewarding and disciplining employees, and resolving complaints and problems.