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Job Opportunities

Job Opportunities

Thank you for your interest in joining the PolicyLink team!

PolicyLink is a national research and action institute advancing economic and social equity by Lifting Up What Works. PolicyLink collaborates with a broad range of partners to implement strategies to ensure that everyone—including those from low-income communities of color—can contribute to and benefit from economic growth and prosperity. Among our regional equity approaches is equitable development, a comprehensive local, regional, and state framework emphasizing equitable public investment, the fair distribution of affordable housing, and community strategies to improve health. 

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JOB OPPORTUNITIES

 

  
ADMINISTRATIVE COORDINATOR

RWJF Center to Prevent Childhood Obesity
100% FTE
Salary commensurate with Experience

Organizational Overview:

This professional administrative level position is available immediately. PolicyLink is a national research and action institute advancing economic and social equity by Lifting Up What Works.®

Position Overview:
 
PolicyLink in partnership with The Arkansas Center for Health Improvement (ACHI) has established the new Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) Center to Prevent Childhood Obesity (CPCO). The new Center will serve at the lynchpin of the Foundation’s strategy to reverse the childhood obesity epidemic by 2015. Reversing the epidemic will require strategic coordination and leveraging of RWJF programs and affiliated resources. To accomplish this goal, the center will also create a “campaign”or national movement that will make long-term changes to support and promote healthy environments.

Under the leadership of ACHI and PolicyLink, the RWJF CPCO will focus its efforts in five distinct areas:

  1. Support and coordinate efforts with existing RWJF National Program Offices (NPOs) working in the childhood obesity area to aggregate the power and influence of groups already funded by RWJF and other partners.
  2. Working with both NPO leadership and other networks addressing the obesity epidemic, make technical assistance available to build the capacity and leadership of the movement and reach out to other groups and constituencies to expand the field.
  3. Design and implement national, state, regional, and local policy agendas for reducing childhood obesity with an emphasis on the needs of low-income communities and communities disproportionately burdened by the obesity epidemic.
  4. Synthesize the science and best available evidence to ensure policies and activities are built on what works and revised when necessary to reverse the course of the childhood obesity epidemic.
  5. Advance effective communications and media strategies to increase public awareness, build public will to reverse the epidemic, and support the policy campaign.

Essential Responsibilities:

  • Responsible for overall administrative duties related to RWJF obesity project
  • Serving as events coordinator, has primary responsibility for scheduling meetings, events and activities 
  • Accompany team on visits to sites and ensure smooth operations of trainings
  • Works closely with Deputy Director and other team members to maintain systems and procedures to guide work
  • Creates and maintains database including contacts, referral resources, NPOs and grantees and others
  • Takes notes and minutes and ensures timely completion and  submission
  • Schedules regular calls with ACHI, RWJF, NPOs, and PolicyLink communications office
  • Participates in creation of written documents
  • Travel as needed

Qualifications:

  • Demonstrated skills in coordinating and events management
  • Detail oriented, accurate, and timely with assigned tasks.
  • Ability to handle multiple priorities and complete multiple tasks in a timely manner.
  • Ability to take initiative, consult, share information and ask questions as needed.
  • Ability to work effectively in a fast paced environment, as part of a team or independently
  • Strong interpersonal skills and good team player
  • Good written and verbal communication skills
  • Bachelor’s degree with at least two years experience in fast paced environment

To Apply:

Send Resume and Cover Letter with salary requirement to:
PolicyLink – Administrative Coordinator-RWJF Center to Prevent Childhood Obesity
1438 Webster Street, Suite 303
Oakland, CA 94612
 
Fax to 510-587-1113 or e-mail to jobs@policylink.org (include subject line: “[your name]
(Administrative Coordinator-RWJF). Position open until filled.
 
Please note: No phone calls please. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
 
Excellent benefits including paid vacation, health, vision and dental insurance and 401(k) retirement plan.

PolicyLink is committed to maintaining a diverse, multi-cultural working environment.


EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT TO FOUNDER AND CEO 

100% FTE
Salary commensurate with Experience

This professional administrative level position, available immediately, is an exciting opportunity to join the staff at PolicyLink supporting the Founder and CEO.  PolicyLink is a national research and action institute that works to advance policies at the federal, state and local level to achieve economic and social equity. Please visit our website at: www.policylink.org.

Position Overview:

Under general supervision, the Executive Assistant provides professional support to the Founder and CEO and the Board of Directors including administrative management of sensitive and confidential issues; schedules and coordinates meetings and calendars; supervise administrative and other support staff and performs other duties as assigned.

Essential Responsibilities:

Performs complex and highly responsible administrative functions for the Founder and CEO, Executive Board, and assigned Executive team members:

  • Serve as the primary contact and liaison on behalf of the Founder and CEO with internal and external contacts; receive and screen communications to the Founder and CEO including telephone calls and e-mail messages and provide assistance using independent judgment to determine those requiring priority attention
  • Independently respond to letters and general correspondence of a routine nature; composes correspondence and other documents on a wide variety of subjects requiring thorough knowledge of the Founder and CEO
  • Manages all incoming correspondence, including emails and mail, and draft outgoing correspondence
  • Review and summarize miscellaneous reports and documents; prepare background documents as necessary
  • Manage the Founder and CEO’s calendar and professional contacts database; prioritizes correspondence for the Founder and CEO’s personal reply; researching and attaching appropriate background material for reference; opens, reviews and distributes mail; establishes and maintains filing procedures; coordinates assigned projects
  • Manages and schedules appointments, coordinate travel, and process expense and honoraria reports
  • Provides information and assistance to constituents, visitors and others having business with the office of the Founder and CEO; screens telephone calls and where appropriate, refers to other staff members
  • As Board Liaison, work closely with the Founder and CEO and  Director of Finance and Operations to calendar and organize board meeting twice a year
  • Create Board book for review
  • Perform basic accounting including reconciling AMEX bills, creating invoice requests from speaking engagements and travel
  • Meet monthly with CFO, VP of Development, and other staff to discuss speaking engagements
  • Attend weekly Communication meetings and bi-weekly Program Assistant meetings

Qualifications:

  • 5-7 years experience supporting a senior level executive
  • Ability to prioritize and make sound decisions regarding time-sensitive assignments
  • Supervisory experience
  • Proven ability to anticipate problems before they arise using solid problem solving skills to develop solutions
  • Strong communication skills to effectively interact with all levels of staff and coordinate with senior level staff and Board members
  • Ability to work in a fast-paced environment where change is a constant
  • Ability to multi-task and prioritize and reprioritize throughout the day
  • Detail-oriented ability
  • Flexibility to work before and after hours

To Apply:

Send Resume and Cover Letter with salary requirement to:
PolicyLink – Executive Assistant Search Committee
1438 Webster Street, Suite 303
Oakland, CA 94612
 
Fax to 510-587-1113 or e-mail to jobs@policylink.org (include subject line: “[your name]
(Executive Assistant-CEO and Founder). Position open until filled.
 
Please note: No phone calls please. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
 
Excellent benefits including paid vacation, health, vision and dental insurance and 401(k) retirement plan.

PolicyLink is committed to maintaining a diverse, multi-cultural working environment.

   
HEALTH TEAM SENIOR ASSOCIATE - TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE COORDINATOR (RWJF)

100% FTE
Salary: Commensurate with experience

Organizational Overview:

PolicyLink is a national nonprofit research, communications, capacity building, and advocacy organization, dedicated to advancing policies to achieve economic and social equity based on the wisdom, voice, and experience of local constituencies. Please visit our website at: www.policylink.org.

Program Description Overview:

PolicyLink in partnership with The Arkansas Center for Health Improvement (ACHI) has established the new Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) Center to Prevent Childhood Obesity (CPCO). The new Center will serve at the lynchpin of the Foundation’s strategy to reverse the childhood obesity epidemic by 2015. Reversing the epidemic will require strategic coordination and leveraging of RWJF programs and affiliated resources. To accomplish this goal, the center will also create a “campaign” or national movement that will make long-term changes to support and promote healthy environments.

Under the leadership of ACHI and PolicyLink, the RWJF CPCO will focus its efforts in five distinct areas:

  • Support and coordinate efforts with existing RWJF National Program Offices (NPOs) working in the childhood obesity area to aggregate the power and influence of groups already funded by RWJF and other partners.
  • Working with both NPO leadership and other networks addressing the obesity epidemic, make technical assistance available to build the capacity and leadership of the movement and reach out to other groups and constituencies to expand the field.
  • Design and implement national, state, regional, and local policy agendas for reducing childhood obesity with an emphasis on the needs of low-income communities and communities disproportionately burdened by the obesity epidemic.
  • Synthesize the science and best available evidence to ensure policies and activities are built on what works and revised when necessary to reverse the course of the childhood obesity epidemic.
  • Advance effective communications and media strategies to increase public awareness, build public will to reverse the epidemic, and support the policy campaign.

The Senior Associate will be responsible for leading the obesity center’s technical assistance component. Some of the primary responsibilities are listed below:

Position Responsibilities:

  • Oversight of all technical assistance activities and events for RWJF Obesity Center
  • Ability to anticipate center’s TA needs and develop implementation plan
  • Ability to coordinate diverse group of national T A providers, both within RWJF network and external providers
  • Serve as a resource and support to national groups seeking technical assistance
  • Creation of tracking and monitoring systems to manage timely provision of TA requests
  • Assess field to continually identify leading experts in fields of obesity, healthy food access, built environment, land use, and other related fields
  • Create and update repository and database to manage range of TA resources
  • Track national, regional and statewide policies and trends related to childhood obesity
  • Assist in development of training curricula and conduct trainings as needed
  • Work with ACHI, RWJF and other PolicyLink team members to coordinate TA activities and events, such as webinars, regional convenings, monthly TA calls.
  • Development and coordination of written documents, such as case studies, toolkits, reports, fact sheets, as others as needed
  • Stay informed about national meetings, conferences and events related to obesity
  • Willing to travel

Skills and Qualifications:

  • Possess strong content knowledge in the area of, Public Health and Prevention, Social Determinants of Health, Place-Based Policy change, obesity
  • Strong leadership skills, ability to be an effective team leader
  • Strategic and critical thinker
  • Dynamic, confident and skilled in working with diverse groups
  • Strong written and verbal communications skills
  • Experience in conducting trainings and public speaking
  • Access to national network of TA providers, desired
  • Masters degree in Public Health, Planning, Administration , Organizational Development, Social Work or related field
  • Bilingual skills in Spanish, desirable, but not required

How to Apply:

Send Resume and Cover Letter to:
PolicyLink – Senior Associate - Technical Assistant (RWJF Center) Search Committee
1438 Webster Street, Suite 303
Oakland, CA 94612

Or fax to 510-587-1113 or e-mail to jobs@policylink.org (include subject line: “[your name] (Senior Associate-RWJF).  Position open until filled.

Please note: No phone calls please. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Excellent benefits including paid vacation, health, vision and dental insurance and 401(k) retirement plan.  

 


PROGRAM ASSOCIATE (Position located in Los Angeles)
100% FTE
Salary commensurate with Experience

This professional level position, available immediately, is an exciting opportunity to join the staff at PolicyLink.  PolicyLink is a national research and action institute that works to advance policies at the federal, state and local level to achieve economic and social equity. Please visit our website at: www.policylink.org.

Position Overview:
 
The successful candidate will work with several PolicyLink teams, particularly the Health and Infrastructure Teams.

  • Examples of health projects include: 
    Statewide policy advocacy efforts to expand access to healthy food in low income communities and communities of color; assisting coalitions seeking to improve local opportunities for physical activity through expansion of parks, open space and implementation of joint use agreements with schools properties; training and advising coalitions and community based organizations and public agencies on policy strategies to address environmental factors that can enhance the health of individuals and communities.
  • Examples of infrastructure projects include:
    Efforts to promote fiscal reform and public infrastructure investments (school facilities, parks, transportation, basic water services, affordable housing and other infrastructure) that lead to equitable community and regional development. This program area also focuses on strengthening and expanding workforce education and community college programs that prepare low income youth and adults for new job opportunities associated with infrastructure development.

Qualifications:

  • Three to six years experience and/or training in state and local infrastructure, school facilities, and /or state and local finance preferred.
  • Experience with public policy analysis and advocacy.
  • Strong communication skills, written and verbal.
  • Strong research and analytical skills.
  • Advanced degree or equivalent experience in relevant field.
  • Demonstrated ability to work as a self-starting member of a team.
  • Commitment to social equity issues.
  • Good time management skills and ability to effectively work on multiple projects.

Desired Knowledge:

  • Both the health and infrastructure program areas are national in scope, and have an emphasis on California policy. Knowledge of the political and policy context of Southern California in general, and in particular of the Los Angeles, Inland Empire and Orange County regions is preferred. Experience working in the Southern California region is a plus.

To Apply:

Send Resume and Cover Letter to:
PolicyLink – Program Associate Search Committee
1438 Webster Street, Suite 303
Oakland, CA 94612
 
Fax to 510-587-1113 or e-mail to jobs@policylink.org (include subject line: “[your name]
(Program Associate-LA).  Position open until filled.
 
Please note: No phone calls please. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
 
Excellent benefits including paid vacation, health, vision and dental insurance and 401(k) retirement plan.

PolicyLink is committed to maintaining a diverse, multi-cultural working environment.

 
SENIOR ASSOCIATE - HEALTH TEAM

100% FTE
Salary commensurate with experience

This professional level position, available immediately, is an exciting opportunity to join the staff at PolicyLink. PolicyLink is a national research and action institute that works to advance policies at the federal, state and local level to achieve economic and social equity. Please visit our website at: www.policylink.org.

Program Description:

The PolicyLink Center for Health and Place weaves research and action into policy initiatives to ensure that everyone—especially those in low-income and communities of color—can live, work, and play in healthy environments. The Center works with a host of partners on efforts to push for policies that allow people to live in communities of opportunity. One such initiative—the national Healthy Eating, Active Living Convergence Partnership—is a collaborative of national funders seeking to create Healthy People in Healthy Places (HPHP) through multi-field, equity-focused efforts focused on policy and environmental change. One of the Convergence Partnership’s core strategies is to promote and support such efforts in the field, recognizing that regional convergence initiatives is an essential step in advancing a national movement towards HPHP. The steering committee includes representatives from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Kaiser Permanente, The California Endowment, the Kresge Foundation, and Nemours. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) serve as a technical advisor to the Partnership. PolicyLink serves as Project Director working to coordinate the various efforts underway and assist in strategic thinking about future goals and strategies.

Position Responsibilities:

  • Serve as a resource and support for national convergence activities
  • Provide technical assistance and support to regional convergence initiatives
  • Track and assess national and regional trends and model policy and environmental change strategies that improve food and physical activity environments
  • Supervise staff as appropriate and work with partner organizations to coordinate activities and events
  • Build relationships with staff at foundations and other relevant groups to foster connections and communications between national partnership and regional convergence sites
  • Conduct interviews to identify policy opportunities and assess strategic directions
  • Create and oversee tracking and monitoring systems to manage TA requests, inquiries and outreach efforts
  • Develop policy briefs and other written documents; conduct trainings as needed
  • Travel approximately twice a month

 Qualifications/Skills:

  • Experience in public health and/or public policy, particularly in the areas of social determinants of health, health disparities and inequities, food and physical activity environments, and other related fields. Minimum of 7 years of professional experience.
  • Masters degree in public health, planning, or policy (e.g., MPH, MPP, MPA)
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills and analytical skills
  • Experience in advocacy, technical assistance, writing reports and articles, and conducting trainings and public speaking
  • Demonstrated leadership skills and ability to work as a self-starting member of a team.

How to apply:

Send cover letter and resume to:

PolicyLink -- Senior Associate -- Convergence Partnership Search Committee
55 West 39th Street, 11th Floor
New York, NY 10018
or fax to (510) 587-1113 or email to jobs@policylink.org (Include subject line: “[Your name] (Senior Associate-Convergence Partnership)."

Position open until filled.

Excellent benefits including paid vacation, health, vision and dental insurance and 401(k) retirement plan.

Please note: No phone calls please. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.


SENIOR COMMUNICATIONS ASSOCIATE - PROMISE NEIGHBORHOODS INSTITUTE

100% FTE
Salary commensurate with experience
(This position is located in New York)

Organizational Overview:

PolicyLink is a national research and action institute advancing economic and social equity by Lifting Up What Works.® Founded in 1999, PolicyLink connects the work of people on the ground to the creation of sustainable communities of opportunity that allow everyone to participate and prosper. Such communities offer access to quality jobs, affordable housing, good schools, transportation, and the benefits of healthy food and physical activity.

Guided by the belief that those closest to the nation’s challenges are central to finding solutions, PolicyLink relies on the wisdom, voice, and experience of local residents and organizations.  Lifting Up What Works is our way of focusing attention on how people are working successfully to use local, state, and federal policy to create conditions that benefit everyone, especially people in low-income communities and communities of color.  We share our findings and analysis through our publications, website and online tools, convening’s, national summits, and in briefings with national and local policymakers.

This professional level position, available immediately, is an exciting opportunity to join the staff at PolicyLink.  PolicyLink is a national research and action institute advancing economic and social equity by Lifting Up What Works.®

Please visit our website at www.policylink.org.

Program Description:

The senior communications associate for the Promise Neighborhoods Institute (PNI) at PolicyLink (www.PromiseNeighborhoodsInstitute.org) provides communications support to the PNI team.  The senior associate must have strong writing, media relations, and editorial skills;  incumbent should have excellent interpersonal skills.  Successful candidates will be values driven, self-motivated, creative, resourceful, and preferably have experience in politics and advocacy. The senior associate will be part of a fast-paced team that requires quickly adapting to shifting priorities and must enjoy working and in teams and one-on-one with PolicyLink writers and other staff.

Position Responsibilities:

  • Editing and writing PNI materials for web and print
  • Working with PolicyLink deputy communications directors on media strategies;
  • Working with PolicyLink deputy program directors on developing content for the PNI website;
  • Writing press releases, op-eds, letters to editor
  • Drafting content for email blasts
  • Overseeing PNI social media sites (blog, Facebook, Twitter, Vimeo)
  • Media training for selected staff

 Qualifications/Skills:

  • Minimum seven years experience in nonprofit communications or media; campaign or advocacy experience also welcome
  • Bachelor’s degree
  • Excellent editing and writing skills, especially when turning policy concepts into  accessible language
  • Demonstrated capacity for working in teams and working well under intense deadlines
  • A history of and passion for working on behalf of  low-income communities and communities of color
  • Ability to travel

How to apply:

We invite you to apply by sending your resume, a letter of interest, a writing sample, and a list of three professional references to:

By Mail:
PolicyLink – Senior Communications Associate Committee (PNI)
1438 Webster Street
Suite 303
Oakland, CA  94612

Or by fax to 510-587-1110 or  e-mail to jobs@policylink.org (include subject line: "[your name]" Senior Communications Associate-PNI).  Position open until filled.
Please note: No phone calls please. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Benefits Summary:

PolicyLink employees are offered a comprehensive benefits package including:

  • Competitive salary
  • Health insurance, including dental and vision care for employee and dependants
  • Paid vacation and holidays
  • 401(k) retirement plan

 DIRECTOR - PROMISE NEIGHBORHOODS INSTITUTE

About PolicyLink:

PolicyLink is a national research and action institute advancing economic and social equity by Lifting Up What Works.®

Founded in 1999, PolicyLink connects the work of people on the ground to the creation of sustainable communities of opportunity that allow everyone to participate and prosper. Such communities offer access to quality jobs, affordable housing, good schools, transportation, and the benefits of healthy food and physical activity.

Guided by the belief that those closest to the nation’s challenges are central to finding solutions, PolicyLink relies on the wisdom, voice, and experience of local residents and organizations.  Lifting Up What Works is our way of focusing attention on how people are working successfully to use local, state, and federal policy to create conditions that benefit everyone, especially people in low-income communities and communities of color.  We share our findings and analysis through our publications, website and online tools, convenings, national summits, and in briefings with national and local policymakers.

Our work is grounded in the conviction that equity—just, fair, and green inclusion—must drive all policy decisions.

The Promise Neighborhood Initiative - Background:

Over the last ten years, the Harlem Children’s Zone (HCZ) has developed a strategy to address intergenerational poverty and increase the odds for these children, their families, their neighborhoods, and the nation more broadly.  HCZ’s unrivaled set of comprehensive place-based programs and innovative partnerships has resulted in unprecedented success improving the outcomes for underserved children and communities.

Inspired by this success, President Obama followed through on his campaign promise to combat urban poverty with a commitment to support a national Promise Neighborhoods Initiative.  This program will apply the successful and innovative strategies of the HCZ in local communities around the country.  The Administration has allocated an initial $10 million in the FY10 budget for planning grants as the first phase of this process.
 
The Promise Neighborhoods concept and accompanying federal resources are attracting national interest and a growing body of support.  For example, more than 1,400 participants representing over 100 communities attended the Changing the Odds conference co-hosted by the HCZ and PolicyLink in November 2009.  It was clear to all participants that a wide range of key stakeholders—including researchers, philanthropic foundations, community-based organizations, and national policy groups—are invested in learning how to translate this enthusiasm into neighborhood-based programs that will advance equity through creating communities of opportunity for marginalized children and families.

The Promise Neighborhood Initiative - The Institute:

Given the complexities and nuances involved with translating the HCZ as a model local initiative into a successful multi-site national program, PolicyLink will create and develop the Promise Neighborhoods Institute (PNI). The PNI is needed to steer this multifaceted approach and fully utilize existing federal, private, and community support for the Initiative.  A national institute is critical to provide local communities and funders with the resources and strategies to tailor the HCZ innovations to specific place-based applications.  The extensive engagement with communities will also help inform and advance a national policy agenda to support the future success and implementation of this initiative.   

Functioning as an independent, foundation-supported resource, the Institute will offer tools, information, and strategies to assist any community interested in participating in the U.S. Department of Education’s Promise Neighborhoods program. The Institute will provide technical support for planning, identifying quality approaches, building partnerships, assessing needs, and many more essentials for successfully responding to the federal Promise Neighborhoods application and supporting the Promise Neighborhoods movement.

The PNI will work to ensure the success of this burgeoning movement through robust online and offline technical assistance, a community of practice, policy development, and strategic communications that draw on promising practices, lessons learned, and analysis of efforts across the country.  Once fully functional, the Institute will foster a creative learning environment to help the field explore new program models and practices and generate new models and policies for the successful development and implementation of comprehensive community initiatives that produce positive outcomes for all children.

A critical aspect for the success of the PNI will be to create a sophisticated and robust technical assistance service delivery system (a hub) that will be reinforced by a cohesive community of practice.  This will be the platform for the national movement. 

The Promise Neighborhood Initiative - The Institute:

The Director will provide the leadership, direction, strategy and oversight for the development of the Promise Neighborhoods Institute and implementation of its programs, policy and advocacy efforts.  While it is the collective mission of those involved with the Promise Neighborhoods Initiative to extend its impact, it is the responsibility of the Director to drive the PNI toward this end.
 
Reporting to the PolicyLink Chief Executive Officer and President, the Director will be expected to serve as a strong external presence and spokesperson – representing the PNI’s mission and purpose; collaborating successfully with a broad range of high-level stakeholders; developing new and more diverse sources or revenue; and raising the visibility of the PNI as a central force for the advancement of comprehensive community initiatives serving children in the United States.  She/He will be responsible for keeping all of the PNI staff and consultants directed and focused on the Institute’s mission, and working effectively and collegially with the various communities and external stakeholders.  

Specifically, the Director will be charged with the following immediate and on-going responsibilities:

  • Develop a comprehensive knowledge of PolicyLink—its mission and goals, culture, values, strategies, programs and key stakeholders;
  • Establish a strong working relationship with the Harlem Children’s Zone; develop a comprehensive knowledge of the HCZ model;
  • Formalize the structure of the Promise Neighborhoods Institute in relation to the broader PolicyLink organization, the federal government, local sites, and other potential partners;
  • Identify additional staffing needs for the Institute for the planning and implementation grant phases of the Promise Neighborhoods Initiative;
  • Identify, engage and establish formal partnerships at the community, local, and national levels that can be included in the technical assistance delivery;
  • Working with current and future consultants, manage a dynamic and content-rich web-based technical assistance service and develop the PNI’s online infrastructure;
  • Engage local communities to bring the wisdom, voice, and innovation to the federal policy debate around Promise Neighborhoods in Congress and the Administration;
  • In partnership with the PolicyLink communications office, develop a Strategic Communications Plan to highlight Promise Neighborhoods as the program is implemented.

Ideal Experience:

The Director will be a creative and entrepreneurial leader with the following experience and qualifications:

  • Leadership, vision and strategic capability to run a dynamic, technologically sophisticated, participatory Institute;
  • Experience at successfully managing people and operations of a significant organization;
  • Demonstrated commitment to public and community service along with an understanding and enthusiasm for the PNI’s mission and activities; a strong commitment to the communities and constituencies to be served by the PNI, and to improving conditions and creating opportunities for low-income people and communities of color;
  • Working knowledge of current US debates, research and trends pertaining to community development, poverty alleviation, and education;
  • A significant understanding of public policy, coupled with a practical, community-based orientation;
  • Experience working on place-based strategies either within a nonprofit, private or governmental entity;
  • Knowledge of how to engage in collaborative, integrated work at the community level with experience and comfort in working with leaders in urban, suburban, rural and tribal communities;
  • Experience with and understanding of technical assistance;
  • A capacity for public leadership and a demonstrated ability to work effectively with and influence a broad range of people, including foundation leaders, policy makers, the media, community development leaders, politicians, business leaders, government officials, academicians, and others; experience developing partnerships and cultivating alliances;
  • A successful track record in attracting financial and other support from foundations, businesses and/or government sources, considered a plus;
  • Outstanding oral and written communications skills, including the means to address issues in nonpartisan and non-polarizing ways;
  • An understanding of and level of comfort with the media; experience shaping messages to encourage civic engagement and/or influence public policy.

Personal Characteristics:

The successful candidate should have or be:

  • An inspiring, persuasive and dedicated leader and spokesperson, who is optimistic about effecting change;
  • A person with the organizational wisdom to gain and effectively use the support of the PolicyLink Board and staff, community leaders, and varied field colleagues at all levels;
  • A self-confident management style necessary to manage and/or partner with strong, competent people; interpersonal skills that embody collaboration and a team-oriented approach; and comfortable dealing with influential decision-makers;
  • A resourceful individual who embraces the challenges of a start-up, with the instincts to anticipate and act on events which may create opportunities for promoting the PNI’s mission, expanding visibility and raising funds; the ability to respond to changing environments;
  • An individual who is straight-forward, shares information easily, listens to as well as gives advice; comfortable receiving input form many sources, and who respects the opinions and abilities of others;
  • An entrepreneurial leader who is adept at analyzing and formulating disparate information into sound, well-organized plans, and at prioritizing, organizing, and following through;
  • An outcomes-focused, results-driven person who is able to capture and share those outcomes and results;
  • Someone who imparts trust and integrity, and motivates others in a similar vein;
  • Willing to travel domestically.

Equal employment opportunity and having a diverse staff are fundamental principles at PolicyLink where employment and promotional opportunities are based upon individual capabilities and qualifications without regard to race, color, religion, gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation/preference, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status or any other protected characteristic as established under law.
Please see www.policylink.org and www.promiseneighborhoodsinstitute.org for more information on PolicyLink and the Promise Neighborhoods Institute at PolicyLink.

To apply for this position, please submit a substantive cover letter (outlining your interests and qualifications) and current resume via e-mail to:
Sandi Haynes, Executive Search Consultant, SandiHaynes@aol.com

Please see www.policylink.org and www.promiseneighborhoodsinstitute.org for more information on PolicyLink and the Promise Neighborhoods Institute at PolicyLink.

  PolicyLink is committed to maintaining a diverse, multi-cultural working environment.