Senior Policy Strategist

The Ford Family Foundation•Roseburg, OR

8d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Ford Family Foundation is a private foundation focused on strengthening rural communities and improving outcomes for children and families across Oregon and Siskiyou County, California. The Senior Policy Strategist advances the Foundation’s policy and systems-change priorities, serving as a trusted advisor, strategist, and external representative. Reporting to the Director of Policy, this position works with advocacy organizations, grantees, public agencies, community leaders, and Foundation staff to advance shared goals through rural policy research and data, policy development, public education, coalition building, strategy development and implementation, and support for external organizations working on behalf of rural communities. The role helps ensure rural perspectives and priorities are represented in policy discussions, public systems, and decision-making. It offers the opportunity to shape statewide conversations, strengthen rural policy ecosystems, build partnerships, and advance lasting systems change. The position is exempt, with an annual salary range of $134,000–$142,000 depending on experience. Candidates residing in rural Oregon are preferred, though applicants from urban Oregon communities with significant rural experience are also encouraged. Candidates interested in relocating to Roseburg may apply; relocation assistance may be available. Roseburg-based employees are expected to work in the office at least three days per week. Employees based elsewhere in Oregon are expected to work in person approximately 20% of the time, with periodic travel throughout Oregon potentially required. Applicants must be authorized to work full-time in the United States; visa sponsorship is unavailable.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in public policy, public administration, or a related field and seven to ten years of relevant experience; or a master’s degree in a related field and three to five years of relevant experience.
Demonstrated record of advancing outcomes-oriented policy across problem definition, policy development, advocacy, coalition building, implementation, and evaluation.
Demonstrated ability to influence policy, public systems, or institutional practices.
Strong understanding of how policy change occurs within public systems and of the external factors involved in major policy change efforts.
Experience working with coalitions, community organizations, public agencies, and cross-sector partners.
Experience facilitating difficult conversations, navigating conflict, and building alignment across diverse stakeholders.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Deep understanding of policy development and systems change.
Strong political acumen and strategic judgment.
Ability to build relationships and influence without formal authority.
Comfort engaging in productive conflict and holding partners accountable while maintaining trust.
Exceptional listening skills and ability to facilitate learning among diverse audiences.
Humility, curiosity, and commitment to continuous learning.
Pragmatic, outcomes-oriented approach and strong commitment to rural communities and place-based change.
Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis; the Foundation cannot sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of policy issues affecting rural communities.
Current residence in a rural Oregon community is preferred.
For candidates living in urban Oregon communities, significant personal, professional, or community-based experience in rural Oregon and demonstrated understanding of rural communities’ opportunities, strengths, and challenges.
Interest in relocating to Roseburg; relocation assistance may be available for the selected candidate.

Responsibilities

Advise on policy opportunities, risks, strategic direction, and organizational priorities related to public policy and systems change.
Identify emerging policy opportunities, barriers, and trends affecting rural children, families, and communities, and advise Foundation leaders on their implications and possible responses.
Develop policy priorities, strategic recommendations, frameworks, and evidence-informed approaches that incorporate rural realities and community voice.
Build and maintain partnerships with statewide advocacy organizations, rural-serving organizations and leaders, public agencies, philanthropic partners, and other stakeholders.
Help advocacy partners strengthen their rural lens and incorporate rural realities into policy solutions and campaigns.
Translate complex policy environments into practical strategies for influencing public systems, funding streams, and institutional decision-making.
Advance policy and systems-change strategies using rural data, research and analysis, policy development, power mapping, coalition building, advocacy, and leadership development, consistent with the legal requirements for private foundations.
Ensure policy-related activities comply with applicable legal and ethical requirements, including restrictions on lobbying, partisan political activity, and electioneering.
Represent the Foundation in policy meetings, coalitions, convenings, and collaborative initiatives, taking leadership roles where appropriate.
Facilitate constructive dialogue among stakeholders with competing interests and perspectives.
Monitor legislative, regulatory, and administrative developments and advise Foundation leadership on implications and opportunities.
Lead the development and distribution of policy briefs, presentations, white papers, issue analyses, research summaries, and educational materials.
Support Foundation strategy teams in incorporating policy and systems change into their work, strengthening rural policy ecosystems and aligning coalitions and partners.
Work with grantees, community partners, and rural leaders to identify policy opportunities and systems barriers and strengthen their policy and systems-change capacity.
Facilitate learning opportunities, convenings, and peer exchanges focused on policy and systems change; provide guidance, coaching, and capacity-building support to partners.
Promote approaches that center rural voices, lived experience, and community leadership.
Collaborate with Communications, Learning & Impact, and program staff to align policy, messaging, research, evaluation, grantmaking, and community investment efforts.
Contribute policy expertise to cross-departmental initiatives and organizational priorities.
Strengthen internal policy knowledge, tools, and practices; mentor colleagues and build organizational capacity for policy and systems thinking.
Manage consultants or external partners as assigned.
Demonstrate mission alignment, initiative, collaboration, accountability, learning, and adaptability.