POSITION PROFILE - SENIOR PROGRAM OFFICER, ADVOCACY 

kpCompanies is partnering with Greater Twin Cities United Way to find a highly passionate Senior Program Officer, Advocacy. This role will be pivotal in advancing our mission to unite changemakers, advocate for social good, and develop solutions to the complex challenges faced by our community. 

Are you working or partnering with the community to drive systemic change and foster community engagement through strategic advocacy? Do you thrive in dynamic environments where your strategic mindset, community connections, and collaborative spirit can make a significant impact? Greater Twin Cities United Way is seeking a dynamic professional to join our team as a Senior Program Officer, Advocacy. This role offers a unique opportunity to be at the forefront of policy development and advocacy initiatives that promote equity and address critical community challenges. 

THE ORGANIZATION - GREATER TWIN CITIES UNITED WAY 

Mission 

Unite changemakers, advocate for social good, and develop solutions to address the challenges no one can solve alone. 

Vision 

A world where division, disparity, and poverty are transformed through equitable solutions, innovative strategies, and collective action, creating a thriving community for all. 

Values 

Equity, Collaboration, Agility, and Transparency.

At Greater Twin Cities United Way, we are dedicated to creating a community where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. We work with courageous leaders, responsive services, and collaborative partnerships to disrupt systems, unlock human potential, and create lasting change. 

POSITION SUMMARY 

The Senior Program Officer, Advocacy plays a critical role within the Community Impact team. This position is responsible for coordinating the development and execution of Greater Twin Cities United Way’s policy and advocacy agenda. The Senior Program Officer will represent the organization’s viewpoint, working closely with a diverse range of stakeholders to inform, influence, align, and advance advocacy priorities. This role demands strategic thinking, a deep understanding of community needs, and a strong commitment to equity. 

REPORTING STRUCTURE 

The Senior Program Officer, Advocacy reports directly to the Associate Vice President, Advocacy & Community Impact, and works closely with the broader Advocacy & External Engagement team. 

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES 

Policy Agenda Development & Execution (35%) 

1. Collaborate with the Associate Vice President to manage the development of the advocacy and policy agenda, reflecting the insights and priorities of United Way’s nonprofit partners and community stakeholders. 
2. Lead advocacy efforts for legislative and administrative policy changes that align with and advance the organization's goals. 
3. Collaborate with a lobbyist consultant to position and champion advocacy priorities effectively. 
4. Oversee and manage grants with advocacy partners, ensuring timely execution, reporting, and outcome tracking. 

Coalitions and Partner Collaboration (25%) 

1. Build and mobilize support for policy initiatives through strategic alliances and partnerships. 
2. Foster positive relationships with key stakeholders, including elected officials, government entities, businesses, and nonprofits. 
3. Actively engage in strategic coalitions to align efforts and advance United Way’s advocacy goals. 
4. Explore opportunities for collaboration with the United Ways of Minnesota network to enhance advocacy across Greater Minnesota. 

Communications and Engagement (20%) 

1.  Develop and disseminate timely, relevant, and clear communications to support United Way’s policy agenda to internal and external audiences.  
2. Lead and facilitate meetings and group presentations related to advocacy initiatives. 
3.  Coordinate with the external consultant and internal Marketing team to create and execute effective messaging and collateral for advocacy through various channels. 
4.  Organize and lead events to promote awareness and engagement around United Way’s Community Impact strategies and policy agenda. 
5.  Support the development and implementation of a multi-faceted approach to significantly grow advocacy engagement across diverse networks and stakeholder groups.
6. Implement and manage technology platforms, such as Voter Voice and Plural, to engage and activate nonprofit partners and the organization’s advocacy network. 

Inter-Departmental Alignment and Coordination (20%) 

1. Partner with the Grantmaking team to enhance strategic relationships with government, nonprofits, coalitions, and individuals with lived experiences. 
2. Collaborate with the 211 & 988 teams to leverage data and insights reflecting real-time community needs to inform advocacy priorities and educate key decision-makers. 
3. Partner with the Learning & Impact Strategy team to track and share relevant advocacy outcomes and impact metrics. 
4. Coordinate with the Operations team on advocacy-related grants, events, contracts, invoices, and data management.
5.   Act as a liaison across the organization, including Marketing, Individual Philanthropy, Corporate Relations, and Foundations, as needed.

QUALIFICATIONS 

Below are some of the typical requirements for a Senior Program Officer, Advocacy. We recognize that skill sets can be a complex combination of experiences. Even if your background does not exactly match these requirements but you have a passion for our work, we would love to hear from you and we recognize the value of transferable skills. 

Education 

1. Bachelor’s degree preferred. 

Experience 

1. 3-5 years of proven experience in nonprofit program management, public leadership, policy advocacy, community engagement, or direct lobbying. 

Knowledge, skills, traits, and abilities 

1. Demonstrated strategic and future thinking to drive results through actionable strategies.
2. Strong oral and written communication skills to convey complex ideas clearly and persuasively.
3. Ability to build and sustain relationships with a wide range of partners, including community leaders, nonprofit organizations, and government officials.
4. In-depth understanding of legislative processes, policy development, and advocacy strategies.
5. Works effectively across teams to align efforts and enhance advocacy results, including collaborating with lobbyists and coalitions.
6. Comfortable working with ambiguity and navigating complex, dynamic environments.
7. Committed to fostering a culture of trust, inclusivity, and strong community roots, earning trust as a flexible and dependable resource.
8. Works effectively across teams to align efforts and enhance advocacy results.
9. Strong interpersonal skills to build and maintain positive relationships with various stakeholders. 
10. Holds self and partners accountable for achieving goals and delivering high-quality results.
11. Familiarity with technology platforms for advocacy engagement (e.g., Voter Voice, Plural).
12. Demonstrated ability to lead with empathy and cultural awareness.

Physical requirements and work environment

• Hybrid working environment, with a requirement to work in the organization's offices at least one day per week, specifically on Wednesdays.
• Flexibility to work nights and weekends as needed.=
  

Travel

• Ability to travel within the nine-county metro area and occasionally statewide or nationally.
  

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the principal duties and responsibilities for the position.


EQUITY AND SALARY DISCLOSURE
Salary Range: $95,000 - $98,000

We believe in practices that create real equity and pay parity regardless of background or identity. We freely discuss compensation with all qualified candidates the first time we interview them. Saving the salary discussion for the first conversation allows us to understand the needs of each candidate fully and to ensure that qualified candidates, even those who’ve historically been overlooked and/or underpaid, don’t self-select out of the processes based on salary alone, as our experience and research suggest. In addition to those who opt out because they fear the salary may be out of reach for them, we equally don’t want to miss out on conversations with candidates who are slightly over the range when, in some cases, the total compensation, including factors such as bonuses, flexibility, and better health benefits, etc. may exceed expectations. Finally, as a search firm, we always look for top-notch talent to introduce to our clients. Should the salary or any other requirement not be fit, there is often a chance that someone on our team is working on another position you may be a better fit for. If you would like to discuss your qualifications for this role and salary and compensation, just call us, and we’d be happy to discuss!


EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
Greater Twin Cities United Way and kpCompanies are equal opportunity employers and all employees and applicants for employment are afforded equal opportunity in every area of hiring and employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, religious creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender identity, age, disability, mental illness, sexual harassment, sexual orientation, genetics, military/veteran status, citizenship, arrest record, and any other legally protected characteristic.