Independent Sector has an opening for a position and welcomes referrals from member organizations. Independent Sector is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity in its staff.

• Manager, Community Outreach, Public Policy and Government Affairs

Application and General Information

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Manager, Community Outreach, Public Policy and Government Affairs

Job Overview

Independent Sector seeks a savvy, collaborative community outreach professional to develop, manage, and maintain a strong network of grasstops and grassroots advocates to advance our mission and public policy agenda. The manager will work with our public policy team to coordinate meetings and events to engage IS members with Congress and the administration to build understanding of the work of the charitable community and support for policies that strengthen its work. The manager will build and maintain close working relationships with IS members and assist in recruiting new members in key states and congressional districts. S/he will develop and coordinate programs to engage IS members in our policy advocacy efforts, including our annual Public Policy Institute.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Develop and implement a strong grasstops and grassroots outreach plan, including all needed communication vehicles (e.g. conference calls, briefings, online communications, community forums, and other meetings) to involve prominent community and organizational leaders in policy initiatives, affecting the work of the nonprofit and philanthropic community
• Recruit and mobilize individuals and organizations to urge a specific group, often Congress or other government officials, to support an initiative or sway a decision, including arranging key fly-ins when necessary
• Work with the legislative affairs staff to identify IS members in states and congressional districts represented by lawmakers and administrative officials that are instrumental in IS policy initiatives. Where IS does not have strong representation, identify and recruit organizations to join the IS coalition
• Assist legislative affairs staff in preparing briefings and education sessions for members of Congress and the administration and their staff, including arranging for local leaders to come to Washington to participate in those meetings
• Organize training programs and institutes for IS members, including the annual Public Policy Action Institute, to strengthen advocacy skills of network members and their support for IS policy initiatives.
  With IS's president, senior vice president of public policy, director of legislative affairs, and Membership Department, identify and track the best influencers, form and deepen relationships with those influencers, and ensure their networks are effectively leveraged
• Develop connections with national political parties and conventions to raise awareness of the nonprofit community and gain support for IS policy positions
• Collaborate with other coalitions and organizations engaged in nonprofit policy and communications efforts
• Assist in development of annual budget for policy communications and marketing activities and make recommended changes to improve program
• Some travel may be required
• Other responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications and Requirements

• Masters degree strongly preferred
• At least six to eight years of experience in public affairs, community organizing, advocacy, and public or membership outreach experience
• Expertise in grassroots organizing and directing field operations, including high-level policy advocates, ideally within the nonprofit sector or within a political party/campaign
• Expertise in managing teams and forming partnerships in a highly collaborative, matrixed environment
• Solid program/project management success, including planning, organizing, and responding to shifting priorities and ability to efficiently manage several projects and deadlines at once
• Keen strategizing skills; demonstrated ability to identify a methodical, multi-faceted approach to drive a campaign to influence public opinion and policy
• Strong relationship-building skills, demonstrating flexibility and finesse to influence a range of constituents
• Excellent communication skills and ability to target a message and presentation for a specific audience
• Demonstrated experience in working with prominent community, board and staff leaders, as well as public officials
• Demonstrated success formalizing best practices and incorporating improvements seamlessly
• Demonstrated ability to engage and lead networks
• Systems expertise, understanding what tools can be applied to better track, organize and deliver pertinent data
• Familiarity with advocacy and tax policy issues related to philanthropy and nonprofits helpful
• Passion for and dedication to IS’s mission to advance the common good by leading, strengthening, and mobilizing the charitable community
• Collaborative team-oriented contributor
• Superb sense of timing, political awareness and discretion

Salary is competitive with excellent benefits including a generous vacation and retirement plan.

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Application and General Information

To apply for any Independent Sector position:

Submit cover letter, resume, salary history, and sample of work to:

resumes@independentsector.org
Human Resources (Title of job for which you are applying)
Independent Sector
1602 L St. NW, Suite 900
Washington, DC 20036
Fax: 202-467-6101

No phone calls, please.

Independent Sector is an equal opportunity employer and we are committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace.

Positions at IS member organizations