Policy & Advocacy Associate

Woodstock Institute • Chicago, IL

7d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Policy & Advocacy Associate will play a key role in representing and promoting Woodstock’s policy positions among policymakers, regulators, financial institutions, nonprofit organizations, and the communities they serve, especially Black, Brown, and lower-income communities. The position reports to the Director of Policy & Advocacy and assists Woodstock’s policy and government relations work at the local, state, and national levels. Recognizing that successful advocacy can depend on effective communication, the Policy & Advocacy Associate also assists with the development and implementation of communications plans. Finally, the Policy & Advocacy Associate serves as a team member in collaborating with the research team and in assisting with fundraising. Essential qualities for the role include strong interpersonal communication skills, solid writing, and creative problem-solving skills. Also needed is the ability to translate complex ideas into language that is accessible for different stakeholder audiences. The Policy & Advocacy associate will thrive as part of a small team that balances competing and occasionally rapidly changing priorities. The position is based in our downtown Chicago office. Remote work is permitted on a limited basis.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree and/or relevant experience in the field; three years or more preferred
• Ability to work effectively and independently under the pressure of multiple tight deadlines and budgetary constraints
• Collaborative mindset and creativity to leverage new opportunities and moments of uncertainty to achieve progress
• Excellent written and spoken English language communications skills, very detail-oriented
• Strong commitment to economic and social justice issues, as evidenced by previous professional and/or personal work
• Curiosity about and interest in engaging in discussions surrounding redlining, the Community Reinvestment Act, small business finance transparency, and other complex policy issues
• Ambitious, self-motivated, and able to work independently and effectively in a fast-paced environment
• Demonstrated expertise using Microsoft Office Suite

Nice To Haves

• Foreign language skills, Spanish-speaking ability a plus but not required
• Candidates with an existing network of relationships with policymakers and nonprofit organizations are preferred.

Responsibilities

• Assist with policy/advocacy initiatives at the local, state, and national levels, including frequent trips to Springfield, IL, and periodic trips to Washington, D.C.
• Facilitate and participate in lobbying meetings with local, state, and federal elected officials; manage Woodstock’s mandatory lobbying reporting (the Policy & Advocacy Associate will register as a lobbyist with the appropriate government offices, including the State of Illinois; Woodstock will manage all necessary payments)
• Monitor, analyze, and help to form Woodstock’s position on emerging legislative matters
• Monitor, analyze, and assist with responding to regulatory developments at the local, state and federal levels
• Help organize and convene coalitions to advance the policy agenda, while also representing Woodstock Institute in partner organizations’ coalitions
• Assist in planning, publicizing, presenting at, and/or handling logistics for policy-related events – at least 2 per year, potentially more depending on the organization’s policy needs
• Assist with media relations, including pitching stories, drafting talking points, and conducting interviews
• Conduct presentations at meetings and conferences
• Write & review items for submission to media
• Especially when the Illinois General Assembly is in Session, attend work-related events outside regular work hours in some evenings and weekends
• Assist with developing and maintaining relationships with funders and donors
• Assist with annual awards event preparations; help increase turnout and ensure a successful event

Benefits

• 4 weeks paid vacation plus the week between Christmas and New Years
• 403b retirement, dollar-for-dollar match up to 6% of salary
• Health insurance – employer pays 100% for employee premiums, subsidy for additional family members.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level