Director of Advocacy

Job Title:

Director of Advocacy

Reports to:

Vice President of Community Impact and Innovation

Direct Report(s):
None

FLSA Status:
Non-Exempt

Job Location:

70 Corporate Woods Drive, Bridgeton, MO 63044

The Director of Advocacy serves as a strategic leader responsible for advancing the mission of the St. Louis Area Foodbank (SLAFB) through public policy, community engagement, and systems advocacy efforts. This role develops and executes a comprehensive advocacy strategy focused on increasing awareness of hunger-related issues, strengthening partnerships, and influencing policies that improve equitable access to food and essential resources across the bi-state region.

The Director of Advocacy acts as a key liaison between the SLAFB, elected officials, government agencies, community partners, and advocacy coalitions to ensure the voices and experiences of individuals facing food insecurity are represented in policy discussions and decision-making processes.

• Develop and implement a strategic advocacy agenda aligned with the mission and long-term goals of the SLAFB
• Monitor legislation, regulations, and policy trends impacting hunger relief, food security, nutrition assistance, and social services
• Analyze emerging policy issues and provide strategic recommendations to organizational leadership
• Represent the SLAFB in meetings with elected officials, government agencies, coalitions, and community stakeholders with professionalism, diplomacy, and credibility. Draft policy briefs, testimony, advocacy materials, and public statements that clearly communicate complex issues to diverse audiences.

• Build and maintain collaborative relationships with local, state, and federal policymakers, partner agencies, and community leaders
• Serve as a trusted organizational representative and thought partner on advocacy and public policy matters
• Foster meaningful partnerships and community engagement efforts that strengthen regional advocacy initiatives and collective impact strategies

• Lead or actively participate in regional and statewide hunger, nutrition, and anti-poverty coalitions
• Collaborate across nonprofit, healthcare, education, and faith-based sectors to advance shared advocacy priorities
• Facilitate coalition-building efforts that encourage collaboration, unified messaging, and equitable community solutions

• Partner with Marketing & Communications to develop advocacy-focused campaigns, public education initiatives, and strategic messaging
• Support media engagement efforts related to hunger policy, food insecurity, and public awareness initiatives
• Promote ethical and impactful storytelling that elevates the voices and experiences of neighbors and communities served by the SLAFB
• Communicate policy priorities and advocacy initiatives in a clear, compelling, and audience-appropriate manner

• Utilize food insecurity data, program outcomes, and community research to inform advocacy priorities and strategic decision-making
• Translate complex policy and research findings into accessible insights for policymakers, partners, and the public
• Evaluate advocacy initiatives and identify opportunities to strengthen organizational and community impact through data-informed approaches

• Advise executive leadership on advocacy opportunities, legislative risks, and emerging policy trends
• Contribute to organizational strategic planning and long-term impact initiatives
• Foster cross-functional collaboration to align advocacy efforts with organizational priorities and community needs
• Support advocacy-related consultants, interns, volunteers, or collaborative initiatives as applicable while promoting a mission-driven and partnership-focused environment

• Bachelor’s degree in Public Policy, Political Science, Social Work, Communications, Nonprofit Leadership, or a related field required;
  Master’s degree preferred
• Seven (7)+ years of experience in advocacy, government relations, public policy, nonprofit leadership, or a…