Senior Director, Policy; Federal

Job Description

Senior Director, Policy (Federal)

The Senior Director, Policy (Federal) supports Elevate’s mission by ensuring its mission and strategies are well-represented in the federal policy environment and brings Elevate’s expertise to federal policy actions. The Sr. Director, Policy (Federal) leads Elevate’s federal policy initiatives and advocacy efforts and collaborates with the Policy Team to inform integration of those efforts at the state and local levels; ensuring the furtherance of Elevate’s mission to advance clean, affordable energy, and water at the intersection of racial economic justice.

The Sr. Director, Federal Policy is a newly created position and is responsible for furthering Elevate’s leadership and effectiveness in the federal space, creating opportunities to partner with, and is responsive to the needs of environmental justice and other historically underserved populations and communities. The Sr. Director, Federal Policy keeps Elevate staff, partners, stakeholders, and the broader policy ecosystem informed on relevant federal initiatives.

The position represents Elevate in key White House and federal department initiatives and leads and serves on working groups, advisory groups, and other relevant federal policy forums.

The Sr. Director, Policy (Federal) reports to the Chief External Affairs Officer and works virtually from the Washington, DC, Maryland – Virginia area to attend in-person meetings, Congressional hearings, and other relevant in-person federal policy-related activities and events. Willingness to travel approximately 30% as needed to Elevate’s corporate headquarters in Chicago, IL, and for key meetings with funders, partners, and other relevant travel needs is required.

This position is also required to work outside of regular working hours, including but not limited to, congressional hearings and meetings, policy forums, press conferences, and other key activities.

• In partnership with the External Affairs, Programs, and Strategic Partnerships divisions, lead the overall development of Elevate’s federal policy strategies, actions, visibility, and internal and external capacity building.
• In partnership with the Sr. Director of Policy, lead and inform the development of Elevate’s organizational policy platform and policy agenda by partnering across the organization and with strategic external partners and key stakeholders.
• Execute the implementation of Elevate’s policy agenda at the federal level working closely with the communications and research and innovation teams to inform the development of advocacy tools and resources to support successful policy agenda execution.
• Collaborate closely with Elevate’s state policy staff to inform federal state and local strategies.
• Develop and maintain relationships with Members of Congress, their staff, key federal department staff, and other key policy making bodies and influencers.
• Design and implement additional activities that spotlight Elevate’s issues, promising practices, champions, and encourage policymakers to adopt strong, principled positions on our policy issues.

• Ensure comprehensive internal communication to keep Elevate’s leadership and staff informed about key federal actions and the implications for our work.
• Represent Elevate at external policy forums, including in-person meetings, conference calls, and events that occur outside daytime working hours and on short notice.
• Participate in the development of funding proposals, develop reports and presentations to funders, the Board of Directors, and other key stakeholders.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Bachelor’s degree or advanced degree in a relevant subject area or equivalent work experience required
• At least ten (10+) years of relevant professional experience tracking and analyzing legislative actions and bills for their immediate and long-term impact. Including direct experience working on Capitol Hill, with federal departments, and in partnership with key stakeholders on both policy and regulatory initiatives
• Longstanding experience working with and on behalf of racial equity and justice and communities that have…