Director of Policy, CHA - Chicago, IL

Title: Director of Policy

Type: Full-time, Hybrid

Location: Chicago, IL

Pay: $115k-120k/year

This position directs the development and implementation of relevant policy that governs activity across the Public Housing, RAD, PBRA, and Mixed Income portfolios. The Director works to ensure that the Admissions and Continued Occupancy Policy (ACOP) is developed, approved, and implemented in accordance with CHA strategic goals and plans, HUD regulations, and MTW policies. They also ensure that RAD program policy is administered as outlined in Section 18 of the Administrative Plan.

Apply here.

Policy & Research Director - Climate XChange (CXC)

 

Reports to: Executive Director

Compensation: $100,000 to $135,000, based on experience

Benefits: This position includes health benefits, professional development opportunities, generous paid time off and family and medical leave policies, 17 paid holidays, a technology stipend and a flexible schedule

Job-Type: Full-time

Location: This position is fully remote. Preferred candidates will live in one the following states: California, Georgia, New York, Maryland, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Texas. Exceptions can be made for outstanding candidates. Occasional travel may be required.

    Climate XChange (CXC) is a non-partisan organization focused on supporting the needs of state actors advancing climate policy. Our mission is to achieve a rapid and equitable transition towards a zero-emissions economy by advancing state climate policy. We achieve this through our State Climate Policy Network (SCPN) and State Climate Policy Dashboard (Dashboard). 

The SCPN is a network of 15k+ advocates, policymakers, researchers, and other state actors working to pass ambitious and equitable state climate policy. The SCPN provides free, virtual support to these actors through events, policy updates and resources, facilitated peer connections, and custom assistance provided by CXC staff.

The Dashboard is a leading data platform for up-to-date state climate policy information across all U.S. states and major climate sectors. It provides in-depth information on over 60 climate policies, with key resources, model rules, a state comparison tool, and other useful information for policy practitioners.

As the Policy & Research Director, you will work closely with the Executive Director and lead the Policy and Research team to advance CXC’s mission. Your role will encompass  all facets of organizational work, including strategic direction, fundraising, partnerships, and applied policy research.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership, Team Management & Administration

• Provide management oversight and direction to the Policy & Research team through regular team communication, meetings, and work assignments. Offer support staff as needs arise and collaborate with other departments to ensure seamless operations.
• Present updates to the Board of Directors in coordination with the Executive Director, ensuring transparency and alignment with organizational goals.
• Conduct interim and annual performance reviews and work with direct reports to set and achieve goals that align with CXC’s strategic plan.
• Mentor direct reports to foster their professional development and skills as line managers. 
• Assist in hiring, onboarding and development as needed as the Policy & Research team expands, ensuring smooth integration of new team members.
• Maintain file management, workspace, and data protocols that promote effective and efficient project deployment and execution, while building organizational expertise and institutional knowledge.

Strategic Planning

• Lead the strategic vision for the Policy & Research programs ensuring  alignment with CXC’s 5-year strategic plan.
• Establish a high-impact research agenda that leverages the organization’s strengths to achieve policy outcomes.
• Ensure that CXC’s programs are synergistic and greater than the sum of their parts, through coordination with the full CXC team and relevant partners.
• Regularly engage with partners to assess the NGO landscape, identify collaboration opportunities, and advance CXC’s work in the climate movement.

CXC Programs

• Provide strategic guidance and support for the day-to-day implementation  of CXC’s two national programs.
• Oversee the management of the SCPN and Dashboard, including strategic direction, monitoring and evaluation, and program implementation.
• Lead  and participate in policy research projects aimed at advancing state climate policy, whether conducted in-house or in partnership with other organizations. 
• Oversee other strategic projects for the organization, such as strategic overhauls or expansions of existing programs.
• Develop program and project budgets for the Policy & Research program in coordination with the Executive Director and the finance team and supervise their implementation.

Fundraising, Partnership, Outreach

• Manage and strengthen CXC’s partnerships to advance the organization’s policy and research agenda.
• Develop new partnerships with key organizations, including other nonprofits, think tanks, and universities, to enhance CXC’s programs and national standing. This involves facilitating external meetings, negotiating, drafting agreements, and working strategically with staff to implement new partnership ideas.
• Coordinate fundraising efforts with the Executive Director and CXC’s fundraising team to support the expansion of CXC’s programs and resources. This will include presenting CXC programs to funders, preparing grant applications, and authoring reports.
• Participate in public events and outreach activities to strengthen CXC’s connections with research and philanthropic partners.

Required Qualifications

• A master’s degree in environmental or public policy, Environmental Science, Political Science, Law, Economics, or a related field, or a mix of education and equivalent work experience required.
• At least 7-10 years of relevant professional experience in climate policy, public policy, state government, research and/or advocacy work.
• Proven track record of managing teams and leading strategic initiatives.
• Notable experience with climate policy, which may include topics such as governance & equity, electricity, buildings, transportation, industry, renewable energy or natural resources.
• An extensive network of contacts in the climate movement.
• Passionate about facilitating high-impact climate policy outcomes. 
• Demonstrated ability to think strategically and balance multiple high-level responsibilities simultaneously, including bringing  projects or initiatives to scale.
• Excellent writing and verbal communication skills, including public speaking on behalf of the organization.
• Strong alignment with CXC values. We’re science-based, impact-driven, committed to justice, equity, and diversity, led by empathy, and collaborative.
• Strong self-starter and self-motivated.
• Passionate about working in a highly collaborative environment.
• Brings a sense of joy and positivity, and demonstrates persistence, initiative, and a high-impact mindset.

Desired Qualifications

• Proven experience in developing and executing applied research agendas or conducting applied environmental research.
• Comprehensive understanding of political and state legislative and regulatory processes, and policymaking processes in general.
• Demonstrated history of nonpartisan collaboration with diverse partners to achieve policy outcomes.
• Experience working within an organization and effectively collaborating with individuals from various  backgrounds and cultures.

Learn more/APPLY here!

Policy Director - Parking Reform Network

The Parking Reform Network is hiring a policy director! This position is full time, remote, funded for two years, and reports to the president of the organization. This is a unique opportunity to work full-time on parking reform. The policy director will map out advocacy opportunities across the country and guide PRN’s efforts to work with partners and accelerate reforms nationwide.

PRN offers an engaging and supportive work environment with competitive benefits. We look forward to welcoming a new policy director who shares our passion for parking reform and sustainable equitable urban development.

Full Description and application process available here.

Policy Director, National Audubon Society

Who: National Audubon Society

What: The Policy Director will oversee Audubon’s climate and energy policy work in Indiana and will be a critical regional leader that will drive Audubon Great Lakes’ vision to implement transformative policy solutions in the Midwest and mobilize an effective conservation network of members and volunteer chapters. Audubon is committed to turning pragmatic policy ideas into real protections for birds and the places they need.

Reporting to the Senior Policy Director, Audubon Great Lakes, the Policy Director position will be a key member of the Audubon Great Lakes (AGL) team. They are responsible for planning and executing a comprehensive strategy to advance a bipartisan policy agenda at the local, state, and/or federal levels in targeted AGL states with a particular near-term focus on developing and advancing proactive climate policy, clean energy siting, and natural climate conservation solutions in Indiana. The Policy Director works in collaboration with AGL and national policy staff and will ensure that Audubon’s Indiana and Great Lakes’ climate policy programs are just, equitable, and beneficial for the full diversity of people and communities in the Great Lakes region.

The Policy Director will build and maintain bipartisan working relationships with external partners and stakeholders, the Indiana Governor’s office, Indiana state and federal legislative offices, relevant local officials, and Indiana state and/or federal agencies to remain informed of the policy and legislative developments related to Audubon’s agenda. They will help advance opportunities to leverage Audubon’s best assets – an engaged and growing grassroots membership, a desire to build broad coalitions, and an organization-wide commitment to pragmatic science-based solutions – to pursue sustainable policy accomplishments with state and federal decision-makers.

The strong preference is for this position to be based in Indiana with travel to Chicago, IL, Washington DC, and other locations around the region, as needed.

Responsibilities:

• Guide the day-to-day efforts to successfully build and lead the climate, energy, and conservation policy agenda in Indiana, working closely with Audubon staff to align the program with the organization’s strategic priorities.
• Develop and oversee an IN policy agenda and field plan to mobilize grassroots and grasstops support for key policy priorities and integrate advocacy into all external engagement activities.
• Serve as IN/Great Lakes point person for Audubon’s national climate policy team to design and execute policy campaigns that aim to secure priority climate and energy policy outcomes.
• Serve as an ambassador for Audubon Great Lakes, engaging key stakeholders, including government officials, major funders, and business leaders, to advance conservation efforts. Participate in lobbying activities in Congress, federal and state administrative branches and agencies, and others to advance conservation objectives.
• Stay abreast of local, state, and federal legislative and administrative affairs and decisions effecting Audubon’s agenda and its constituents.
• Raise Audubon's profile and visibility in the Great Lakes region as a leader in climate and conservation policy efforts; build creative and enduring alliances and partnerships to support Audubon’s policy efforts within the state and region.
• Collaborate with Audubon’s National government affairs and policy teams on all AGL climate and energy-related policy issues and develop a strong and effective working relationship with staff across the Audubon network.
• In collaboration with the National Development staff and Great Lakes leadership, support fundraising efforts as needed.
• Serve as an articulate, enthusiastic, and visible spokesperson for Audubon Great Lakes. Collaborate with state and national communications staffers on earned and paid media opportunities to elevate climate policy and conservation agenda throughout the state and region.
• Advise on relevant organizational strategy and participate in advisory board meetings.
• Promote an organizational culture and structure that fosters cooperation, communication, collaboration, respect, teamwork, and trust.
• Build and expand a climate policy program that is just, equitable, and beneficial for the full diversity of people and communities in Indiana and the Great Lakes region.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in political science, environmental studies, or related field and 7+ years professional experience in policy, grassroots advocacy, wildlife conservation, public service, or related field. An equivalent combination of education and experience will also be considered.
• Keen understanding current policy trends in Indiana, the Great Lakes region and the Midwest United States related to climate change and energy policy. Experience applying this knowledge to successful policy advocacy and implementation strongly preferred.
• Deep knowledge of climate, energy, and agriculture policy desired.
• Personal desire to build durable bipartisan public will for water, climate, energy, and conservation issues, work with diverse stakeholders, and engage both Democrats and Republicans on Audubon’s policy interests.
• Experience in working in partnership with a network of invested grassroots and grasstops leaders.
• Experience working in a decentralized organization that coordinates strategies for both local and national legislative issues.
• Willingness to aid in fundraising efforts as needed, experience with political campaigns a plus.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to synthesize and interpret technical information for various audiences.
• Willingness and ability to travel as needed, some weekends and evenings required.
• A commitment to Audubon’s mission of conservation of birds, other wildlife, and their habitat and the ability to communicate the mission, goals, and programs effectively to partners, government officials, donors, and the public.
• A commitment to equity diversion and inclusion principles and to working to make Audubon an anti-racist organization.

Apply here.