Policy Director, Georgia

Southern Poverty Law Center•Atlanta, GA

13d

About The Position

The Policy Director for Georgia advances the Southern Poverty Law Center’s policy objectives through a multi-strategy advocacy agenda. The position works under the supervision of the Regional Policy Director and collaborates with colleagues in the Policy department, State Office, and Communications, as well as subject matter experts in Legal, Learning for Justice, and the Intelligence Project. The role supervises the Policy Associate, directs state contract lobbyists, and liaises with elected and appointed officials, agencies, advocacy organizations, direct service providers, and directly impacted community members. The Policy Director develops and executes strategic workplans and local- and state-level advocacy initiatives in Georgia. The work includes influencing policy decisions, analyzing racial and economic impacts of proposed legislation, engaging on ordinances, legislation, and administrative rules, preparing advocacy materials and testimony, and building coalitions that include directly impacted people. The Director manages the Georgia Policy team, oversees state-based lobbyists, builds relationships with stakeholders, serves as a spokesperson, and prepares reports and other documentation for SPLC leadership.

Requirements

At least five years of policy advocacy experience, including developing, managing, and implementing campaigns to pass or oppose legislation and government agency rules and regulations.
At least two years of experience in social justice or civil rights work.
At least two years of managerial experience, including hiring, training, performance evaluation, discipline, and mentoring of staff.
Demonstrated leadership in building and maintaining an innovative and positive working culture, including commitment to JEDI principles within a policy department.
High school diploma or GED.
Demonstrated experience developing and implementing public policy advocacy initiatives, including local and state strategies on democracy, poverty, criminal legal system reform, and opposing hate and extremist ideologies affecting Black and Brown communities.
Ability to develop, manage, and execute data-driven local and state advocacy initiatives and workplans with clear goals, objectives, strategies, and tactics.
Strong understanding of political structures and ability to assess advocacy opportunities.
Strong written and oral communication and listening skills for communicating persuasively with diverse audiences.
Ability to manage time and competing deadlines in a fast-paced environment and adjust priorities as needed.
Ability to collaborate with internal departments, external organizations, and stakeholders from diverse backgrounds.
Operational understanding of laws governing permissible 501(c)(3) lobbying activity and compliant time tracking.
Commitment to the SPLC’s mission, vision, and values.

Nice To Haves

Experience working in a deeply partisan environment.
Relevant experience within Georgia, the state assigned to the role.

Responsibilities

Develop and execute a strategic workplan to achieve organizational objectives in Georgia through local- and state-level policy engagement.
Identify, secure, and respond to opportunities to influence local and state policy decisions, including analyzing the racial and economic impact of proposed legislation and engaging on ordinances, legislation, and administrative rules.
Collaborate with federal and research policy team members and coordinate advocacy opportunities at the federal level with federal policy colleagues.
Secure, draft, deliver, or coordinate legislative testimony, sign-on letters, and other advocacy materials to advance or defeat legislation.
Manage and mentor the Georgia Policy team, including performance evaluations, coaching, hiring, and disciplinary actions as needed.
Oversee Georgia’s state-based lobbyists, including contract renewals, monthly retainer and expense processing, and direction of their engagements.
Build and maintain coalition spaces and ensure diverse representation, including the voices of directly impacted individuals.
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 Georgia policy priorities in media interviews, conference presentations, roundtables, and other settings.
Prepare workplan progress documentation, information for board meetings, annual budgeting materials, and other assignments for the Chief Policy Officer and Regional Policy Director.
Perform other duties reasonably within the scope of the job classification.