Senior Director of Policy (Project Management)
The Senior Director of Policy will lead the organization's policy efforts, shaping and advancing a strategic agenda focused on food access, bolstering the emergency food system and addressing the underlying causes of hunger. This individual will manage a policy team, develop and implement strategies to grow the Food Depository's advocacy impact, and build coalitions to expand the reach of its policy initiatives. The Director will lead research and analysis on the impact of U.S. federal and state policy reforms and the economic impact of policy proposals.
Serving as a thought leader on food policy, the Senior Director will represent the Food Depository in public forums, engage with stakeholders, and provide expert analysis on policy issues. The Director will also oversee departmental budgets, secure grants, and identify new funding opportunities to sustain and enhance policy and advocacy efforts.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Policy Leadership:
- Develop and implement a policy agenda that advances food equity and addresses the root causes of hunger.
- Identify key legislative and regulatory priorities at local, state, and national levels.
- Build relationships with policymakers, agencies, advocacy groups, and community organizations.
- Cultivate partnerships and coalitions to amplify the Food Depository's policy initiatives.
- Ensure, inform and oversee GCFD's participation in federal, state and local policy-focused coalitions, networks and working groups.
- Research, develop, and present innovative policy solutions to address food insecurity and the systemic causes of hunger.
- Serve as an internal expert on policy issues, collaborating across teams to provide guidance, answer questions, and ensure alignment of policy efforts across departments.
- Engage with government agencies aligned with the organization's mission, proactively building relationships and responding to inquiries as a representative of the Food Depository.
Team Management & Thought Leadership:
- Lead and mentor a policy team, setting vision and goals aligned with organizational priorities.
- Serve as a spokesperson on policy matters, representing the Food Depository in media, legislative hearings, working groups, forums, advocacy events and with elected officials.
- Ensure comprehensive internal communication to keep leadership and staff informed about key federal/state/local actions and the implications for our work.
- Publish thought leadership pieces and policy analyses to elevate food security issues and the root causes of hunger.
Financial Oversight & Grants Management:
- Manage the policy department's budget, ensuring fiscal responsibility and strategic allocation of funds.
- Oversee grant applications and reporting, ensuring compliance and alignment with advocacy goals.
- Identify new grant opportunities and funding sources to support policy initiatives.
Qualifications & Experience
- Deep knowledge of food policy, food access issues, systemic solutions to hunger and anti-poverty issues.
- Proven experience in government relations, advocacy, and coalition-building.
- Strong leadership experience in policy development and strategic planning.
- Excellent public speaking and communication skills, with the ability to convey complex policy issues effectively.
- Track record of securing and managing grants in support of policy initiatives.
- Excellent writing and editing skills;
- Experience in creating advocacy support materials, such as talking points, policy briefs, etc.;
- Excellent qualitative and quantitative analysis skills;
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills; and
- Microsoft Office Excel and PowerPoint skills.
Preferred Qualifications
The preferred candidate will bring expertise in public policy analysis and will be focused, organized, detail oriented, responsive and diplomatic. The successful candidate should be adaptable, able to reprioritize and shift gears quickly and be comfortable in a high-pressure, fast-paced environment.
- Education: Master's degree in Public Policy, Political Science, Public Administration or a related field
- Experience: 10 years of progressive experience in policy development, advocacy, and/or government relations, preferably in food security, anti-poverty or anti-hunger initiatives.
- Experience working with nonprofit organizations, governmental agencies, or advocacy groups.
- Familiarity with state and federal legislative processes.
- Strong analytical skills and the ability to translate policy research into actionable strategies.
Benfits:
• Health, dental, and vision insurance coverage
• Employer-paid life and disability insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• 403(b) retirement plan with employer contribution
• Generous paid time off
• Parental leave
• On-site gym
• $3,000 annual employer-paid ThrivePass lifestyle and wellness benefit program
• $250 employee referral bonus
