Vice President of Public Affairs & Executive Director of the Planned Parenthood Advocacy Fund of Massachusetts (PPAF)
Boston, MA
Public Affairs /
Full Time - Non-Union /
Hybrid
Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts (PPLM) has a simple mission: Care. No Matter What. PPLM has been a leader in promoting sexual health for more than 90 years and we strongly believe that all people deserve care no matter who they are, where they live, or who they love. As the state’s leading provider of sexual and reproductive health services, we educate families and empower youth to make responsible choices. We do all this because we care passionately about helping people lead healthier lives.
With more than 600 health centers across the country, Planned Parenthood organizations serve all patients with care and compassion, with respect, and without judgment, striving to create equitable access to health care. Through health centers, programs in schools and communities, and online resources, Planned Parenthood is a trusted source of reliable education and information that allows people to make informed health decisions.
Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts (PPLM) seeks a dynamic, strategic, and mission-driven leader to serve as the Vice President of Public Affairs and Executive Director of the Planned Parenthood Advocacy Fund of Massachusetts (PPAF). This newly scoped role will serve as a core member of the executive leadership team and will be directly responsible for advancing the organization’s bold advocacy, political, and policy agenda across the Commonwealth.
This is a high-impact role focused on influencing the external environment, through legislative advocacy, electoral organizing, coalition-building, and public engagement. The VP/ED will work across departments, with the General Counsel, and alongside community and political partners to shape and defend the future of reproductive health, rights, and justice in Massachusetts.
At a time of national uncertainty and increasing political threats, the VP/ED will ensure that PPAF remains an influential voice and organizing force, mobilizing supporters, advancing legislation, holding power accountable, and defending access to care for all.
Key Responsibilities:
- Serve as the chief strategist and spokesperson for PPAF’s advocacy and political agenda.
- Develop and execute a comprehensive C4 strategy aligned with electoral cycles, legislative sessions, and public opinion trends.
- Represent PPAF in high-level external forums, coalitions, and media as needed.
- Ensure alignment and coordination across PPLM and PPAF priorities while maintaining compliance and structural boundaries between C3 and C4 entities.
- Partner across the executive team, including Strategy, Clinical Operations, Development, and Education, to ensure integration of advocacy goals where appropriate.
- Drive a people-powered advocacy strategy that mobilizes patients, supporters, and community leaders around key priorities and campaigns.
- Lead the development of campaigns that center lived experience, racial and reproductive justice, and storytelling as tools for policy and culture change.
- Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with allied organizations, community leaders, and grassroots coalitions to build collective power.
- Oversee the legislative and policy strategy at the state and local levels.
- Build and maintain trusted relationships with elected officials, government agencies, political consultants, and allied organizations.
- Lead lobbying efforts, provide testimony, and coordinate with legal and compliance advisors to ensure adherence to lobbying regulations.
- Lead the development and execution of PPAF’s political endorsements and candidate support strategies.
- Manage the new C4-only Electoral Organizer and the Outreach team to execute grassroots mobilization and electoral engagement work.
- Partner with national affiliates and allied organizations on priority political campaigns and coordinated advocacy efforts.
- Lead and manage the Policy & Government Relations team, ensuring clarity of roles, strong performance, and a culture of collaboration.
- Serve as a thought partner to the CEO and COO to integrate advocacy goals across departments, where appropriate.
- Serve as the primary liaison to the PPAF board and its committees, providing strategic updates, policy briefings, and compliance guidance.
- Partner with the CEO and Board Chair to ensure meaningful board engagement, aligned with governance, not management best practices.
- Lead the strategy for a restructured Organizing and Outreach team, which includes two hybrid positions focused on C3 community engagement and C4 electoral efforts, along with a Community Business Development Organizer embedded within Health Center Operations.
- Build a strong, durable base of supporters by establishing foundational organizing systems, cultivating relationships in key communities, and creating clear pathways for sustained involvement.
- Develop and expand volunteer pipelines to grow people power, increase visibility, and ensure community-driven participation in campaigns and initiatives.
- Provide coordination, coaching, and strategic alignment across the team to ensure organizing and outreach efforts are high-impact, community-informed, and responsive to the current gaps in infrastructure and turnout.
- Ensure all activities, particularly those involving C4 electoral work, are compliant, integrated into organizational priorities, and executed with clear supervision and legal oversight.
Strategic Leadership & Vision
Advocacy & Movement-Building
Policy, Government Relations & Lobbying
Political & Electoral Strategy
Team & Department Oversight
Board Engagement & Governance
Organizing & Outreach Oversight
Qualifications:
- Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible leadership experience in public policy, political strategy, or advocacy.
- Demonstrated experience navigating political and legislative environments, ideally in reproductive health, rights, and justice.
- Deep understanding of 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) compliance, campaign finance, and lobbying rules.
- Excellent judgment, discretion, and strategic instincts in high-stakes, high-visibility situations.
- Proven ability to build cross-sector partnerships and work effectively across lines of difference.
- Strong people management skills and the ability to lead with empathy, clarity, and accountability.
- Excellent communication and public speaking skills.
- Passion for Planned Parenthood’s mission and commitment to health equity, racial justice, and gender equity.
What We Offer
· Health, Dental & Vision Insurance
· Generous paid time off including vacation time, provisions for extended sick time and 11 paid holidays
· 403(b) Retirement Plan with 3% company match
· Life Insurance, Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance, and Long-Term Disability Insurance
· Employee Assistance Program
· Flexible Spending Account for medical expenses and/or dependent care expenses
· Paid Parental Leave
· Employee Discounts
Roles that are denoted as Hybrid require 1 day per week in the office unless the role is denoted as onsite, which requires working onsite full time or 5 days per week.
Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to maintaining a non-discriminatory work environment and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.
Planned Parenthood is committed to creating a dynamic work environment that values diversity and inclusion, respect and integrity, customer focus, and innovation.
