Empower Missouri
Position Title: Chief of Policy Staff
Reports to: Executive Director
Position Summary: The Chief of Policy Staff will be responsible for leadership, management and general oversight of Policy Team staff, goals, and initiatives. This is a core leadership role for the organization with significant strategy, management and programmatic responsibilities as outlined below.
Roles & Responsibilities:
Policy Team Leadership & Management
Manage a team of six policy managers, providing them with coaching, support and development to contribute to their continual professional growth
Set metrics and benchmarks for Empower Missouri’s policy goals & oversee policy manager progress to those goals
Set metrics and benchmarks for coalition growth and deepened coalition engagement & oversee policy manager progress to those goals
Set and oversee strategy around the policy team’s relationships with key policymakers, including legislators and administrative officials
Lead bi-annual coalition survey process
Lead planning and execution of Empower’s Annual Week of Action
Oversee Calls to Action and other major community engagement opportunities during legislative session
Oversee programmatic grant goals and metrics and support policy staff in achieving those goals
Provide strategy, thought leadership and support to tenant organizing efforts in mid-Missouri and southern Missouri.
Support policy managers with event planning and execution as needed
Support Advocacy Director on Anti-Poverty Advocate Summit through overseeing planning for coalition spaces and supporting recruitment and selection of breakout session presentations
Partner with the Executive Director on candidate/new legislator poverty education during election years
Maintain a strong working knowledge of all of Empower Missouri’s priority issues: food security, affordable housing, and criminal justice reform
Partnership Management
Oversee Empower’s partnerships with The Right Time Initiative and the MOVE Collaborative
Build and sustain relationships with community action agencies, MO Fact, MO Faith Voices, Jobs with Justice and other statewide service providers and mobilizers
Partner with ED and Development staff on funding proposals and funder reports as requested, particularly to review/create key metrics
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Very strong coaching and management skills
Demonstrated planning and organizational skills
Excellent relationship building and relationship management skills
Ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously and shift priorities as needed
Clear verbal and written communication skills
Basic event planning knowledge
Basic knowledge of Empower Missouri’s priority issues
Desired Education and Experience:
Minimum of three years experience of managing a team of at least three full-time staff members.
Experience in working on policy advocacy is preferred, but not required. We will train the right candidate on the policy advocacy elements of the job as needed.
Empower Missouri is open to a wide range of educational and professional backgrounds. Competency, passion, and experience are more important than formal education, although we certainly welcome those with formal education credentials to apply.
Salary Range and Benefits:
$70,000- $85,000 depending on experience and qualifications. Position comes with annual opportunities for merit-based and cost-of-living raises; health, life, dental and vision insurance; generous PTO policy, paid holidays, and retirement plan
Location of Position:
This position can be based anywhere in Missouri, with anticipated 20% travel in-state.
To Apply:
Submit cover letter, resume, and list of three references to jobs@empowermissouri.org. Priority application deadline is June 12, 2024. Applications will be accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.
