Policy Director, Florida

Summary: 

The Policy Director is a results-driven and experienced advocate, who is passionate about advancing civil rights for society’s most vulnerable members and communities.  The Policy Director works under the supervision of the Regional Policy Director to advance SPLC/SPLC Action Fund’s policy objectives in Florida via multi-strategy campaigns.  The Policy Director works with legal teams, advocates and members of the SPLC Communications, Learning for Justice and Intelligence Project departments. The Policy Director liaises directly with state contract lobbyists, elected and appointed officials, agencies, judges, non-profit organizations and allies, directly impacted individuals and communities. 

Primary Job Functions:

• Direct local- and state-level policy engagements in Florida;
• Develop and maintain a strategic overview of the policy landscape across all departments in Florida;
• Prioritize the SPLC Action Fund’s legislative goals each session of the state legislature;
• Manage the Florida Policy Associate, providing mentoring and coaching in support of state initiatives;
• Hire, train, establish, and monitor staff performance and development goals, assign duties, and conduct performance reviews;
• Oversee bill tracking, ensuring that all relevant bills are identified and responded to in accordance with internal positions;
• Develop and maintain relationships with elected legislators and their staffs, allied organizations and community partners, and the media;
• Serve as a spokesperson for Florida policy priorities;
• Identify, secure, and prepare opportunities for SPLC/SPLC Action Fund to influence legislation and policy at the local and state levels, including commenting on proposed legislation and rules, submitting statements and letters, preparing advocacy materials, and organizing and conducting meetings with elected and administrative officials and their staff;
• Secure, draft, and deliver or coordinate delivery of legislative testimony and model legislation at the local and state level;
• Assist the Chief Policy Officer and Regional Policy Director with preparing the Policy Department’s annual budget;
• Research, monitor, review, and summarize the constitutional and practical impact of proposed legislation and develop strategies to defeat or advance legislation;
• Assume a strategic role in coalition campaigns, ensuring diverse representation including the voices of directly impacted individuals, on advocacy issues consistent with the SPLC/SPLC Action Fund’s priorities;
• Manage SPLC Action Fund’s state-based lobbyists, including annual contract renewals, processing monthly retainer and expenses for payment, and directing their engagements;
• Represent the SPLC/SPLC Action Fund’s interests and cultivate relationships with partners to advance reform;
• Prepare pre- and post-session documentation and reporting to the Chief Policy Officer and Regional Policy Director; and
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications –

Education and Related Work Experience:

• At least five (5) years of policy advocacy experience, including track record of developing, managing, and implementing campaigns to pass and oppose legislation as well as government agency rules and regulations; experience in a deeply partisan environment is a plus;
• At least two (2) years of experience in social justice/civil rights work;
• At least two (2) years of proven managerial experience of staff to include hiring, training, performance evaluation, discipline and mentoring;
• Demonstrated leadership in building and maintain an innovative and positive working culture, including commitment to JEDI principles within a policy department; and
• Highschool diploma or GED.

Knowledge, skills and abilities:

• Ability to analyze proposed legislation and persuasively to communicate its impact to a variety of audiences through oral and written communication;
• Extensive experience drafting legislation;
• Expert knowledge of the legislative process;
• Experience with mobilization campaigns either as a grassroots activist or campaign organizing staff;
• Experience using NGP VAN/EveryAction and related campaign data platforms and tools;
• Experience with paid communications channels, including traditional and digital advertising and direct mail;
• Understanding of laws governing 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) permissible lobbying and electioneering activity;
• Initiative and ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced work environment;
• Strong organizational skills, follow-through, and flexibility around changing priorities and deadlines;
• Ability to work on several campaigns at once;
• Capacity to work effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds and conflict-resolution styles;
• Excellent research and writing skills;
• Ability to travel in state, as needed;
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in large coalitions and with diverse staff, activists and legislators across ideological spectrums;
• Commitment to ideals of justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion; and
• Commitment to fostering an anti-racist work-culture and to anti-racist principles and learning.

Other Special Considerations:

This job is performed under general office conditions and is not subject to any strenuous physical demands or dangerous conditions.

Disclaimer:

The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the employee in this position.  These statements are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of a person in this position.

An Equal-Opportunity Employer with a Commitment to Diversity

Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) is proud to be an equal opportunity employer, and as an organization committed to diversity and the perspective of all voices, we consider applicants equally of race, gender, gender identity, color, sexual orientation, religion, marital status, disability, political affiliation, national origin, or prior record of arrest or conviction.