Director, Public Policy and Government Affairs
Providence, Rhode Island
Public Policy Advocacy & Organizing (PPAO) /
Full Time /
Hybrid
We are Planned Parenthood of Southern New England, one of the region’s largest and most trusted providers of reproductive health care. We are recognized for the wide array of services we provide, the outstanding sexual health education we deliver, and our strong commitment to social justice. Working for Planned Parenthood is more than a job; it is being a part of a powerful movement. Together, we take pride in shaping the future of sexual health and reproductive rights for all people. Planned Parenthood Votes! Connecticut (PPV!CT) and Planned Parenthood Votes! Rhode Island (PPV!RI) are the advocacy and political arms of PPSNE; PPV!CT and PPV!RI engage in educational, advocacy and electoral activity, including grassroots organizing, legislative advocacy, and voter education. As a voice for reproductive freedom, PPV!CT and PPV!RI supports legislation and policies that ensure all people have access to the full range of sexual and reproductive health care and education.
What You will Be Doing:
The Director, Public Policy and Government Relations at Planned Parenthood Southern New England (PPSNE) is responsible for strategic leadership of the organization’s legislative advocacy, policy research, government relations, and elections work in Rhode Island. This role advises the Chief Policy and Advocacy Officer and PPSNE executive leadership team on local, state, and federal policies and politics that directly or indirectly relate to sexual and reproductive health care and public health that impact the mission of PPSNE and PPV!RI. The Director facilitates the advancement of the organization’s policy, advocacy, and electoral priorities in Rhode Island and works closely with the Director, Organizing and Campaigns to advance the goals of the Public Policy, Advocacy and Organizing (PPAO) team, advance reproductive freedom, and promote health equity in the state.
The Director oversees government relations in Rhode Island including direct and indirect (grassroots) lobbying of the legislative and administrative branches of the RI government and develops strategies for meeting with and influencing key decision makers and lawmakers to embrace policies that protect Planned Parenthood’s health care operations and our mission as well as serving as lobbyist representing PPSNE at the State House. This role will coordinate the development of strategic legislative, governmental, and political activities with the Chief Policy and Advocacy Officer.
The Director will be part of an integrated team that works closely across departments to manage key relationships internally and externally and programs to advance reproductive health, rights, and freedom in Rhode Island. It is imperative that they be autonomous and thrive while managing ambiguity and shifting priorities.
Essential Functions: In collaboration with the Chief Policy and Advocacy Officer (CPAO) the Director develops goals and objectives in support of strategic priorities and advancement of the mission:
- Build support for PPSNE and PPV!RI by cultivating relationships with decision makers and those who influence them including state and municipal administrative officials, lawmakers, political candidates, members of the media and other key influencers to achieve our mission and expand reproductive rights organizing across Rhode Island.
- Implement PPSNE’s approach to all relevant government agencies and entities, including the Administration (Governor’s office and functional departments and commissioners, i.e.: Executive Office of Health and Human Services and its leadership), the General Assembly, legislative leadership and legislative staff, and all other key decision makers in RI state government and any relevant municipal leadership.
- Identify, research, and analyze relevant legislative and regulatory issues that do or may impact PPSNE and the health care services we provide and other relevant issues.
- Prepares an annual state legislative agenda for the agency and implements the plan to achieve its stated legislative and administrative goals with the CPAO.
- Monitor changes in health care and public health finance and healthcare delivery at the state and federal levels.
- Advance community coalition building for health equity and reproductive freedom.
- Serve as an expert spokesperson and representative for PPSNE and PPV!RI with external partners and media as a point of contact for media relations in Rhode Island.
- Collaborate with Communications and Brand Marketing leadership to prepare to messaging and communications guidance about issues relevant to Rhode Islanders, to be used by the President/CEO, Chief Medical Officer, and other PPSNE spokespeople.
- Collaborate with the Director, Organizing and Campaigns (“DOC”) to implement new and innovative ways to inform and engage the public about reproductive rights, health, and access in Rhode Island.
- Collaborate with the DOC, to guide and support Rhode Island-based organizing staff.
Essential Functions: Engagement and Partnerships
- Develop an annual local, state, and federal legislative strategy in coordination with CPAO, and in alignment with PPSNE’s state-based strategy and Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) federal strategy.
- Lead lobbying efforts and serve as PPSNE’s primary lobbyist in Rhode Island to local, state, and federal elected and appointed officials regarding sexual and reproductive health and rights and funding for PPSNE’s programs and services.
- Track and report on PPSNE lobbying activities and ensure compliance with appropriate local, state, and federal authorities.
- Monitor legislative and judicial activities relating to reproductive health and rights, executing media or advocacy responses when appropriate.
- Represent Planned Parenthood organizations in local, state, and regional coalitions and organizations and other community meetings to advance legislative and regulatory priorities including staffing the RI Coalition for Reproductive Freedom.
- Identify and build strategic partnerships in the reproductive health, rights, and justice movements, as well as other progressive fields.
- Works directly with board members as staff liaison to relevant committees and task forces including supporting the CPAO with Planned Parenthood Votes! RI and Planned Parenthood Votes! RI PAC as needed.
- Other support as requested by the CPAO.
Essential Functions: Organizational Management and Finance
- Direct strategic priorities for PPV!RI and state PAC to strengthen PPV!RI’s political power.
- Support the recruiting, onboarding, and managing relationships with PPV!RI and PAC boards annually in collaboration with the CPAO.
- Design metrics and tracking of activities and outcomes to demonstrate success and increasing impact of engaged advocates, volunteers, and political power.
- Responsible for campaign assessments, research, policy development, advocacy, planning, and monitoring progress.
- Partner with the DOC in implementing electoral campaigns and organizing campaigns in RI including field, voter contact, and training programs.
- Support the CPAO with PAC and 501c4 reporting and compliance requirements in RI and help manage reporting processes for all entities as needed.
- Provide expertise and strategic insight into political fundraising efforts for PPV!RI and candidates, independent expenditures, and other electoral partners.
- Collaborate with the Development team in speaking at or planning fundraising events as requested, creating grant proposals and progress reports to funders in order to support the policy, advocacy, organizing and political work.
- Support the CPAO in the development and management of budgets and expenditures for the 501c4 and state PAC entities in partnership with the finance team.
- Maintain accurate records, produce timely written and verbal reports.
Key Requirements
- Passionate commitment to the mission, vision, and values of PPSNE and demonstrated commitment to social justice and reproductive health, rights and justice and deep sense of accountability to the community.
- Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred, e.g., master’s in public policy, Juris Doctorate, or other relevant degree.
- Minimum of 5 years of professional experience and 3 years of progressive management experience in public policy, governmental relations, public relations, external engagement, coalition building, nonprofit, communications, or a similar field.
- Sophisticated knowledge of State of Rhode Island and federal regulatory and legislative processes.
- A team player who can own projects from start to finish, jump in, and propose solutions and options, and bring ambition, creativity, and passion to this work.
- Proven to be a collaborative leader that knows how to create and implement strategy but is willing to jump in at any level when needed.
- Demonstrated ability to be responsive to changing priorities and simultaneously manage multiple complex initiatives. A creative, flexible, and learning orientation.
- Excellent relationship building and communication skills, including a high level of self-awareness, empathy, and humility in interpersonal interactions.
- Must be a polished public speaker who is quick thinking and able to handle controversy and ambiguity. Impeccable verbal and written communication skills.
- A commitment to approach this work from an organizing perspective with a passion for building relationships across the reproductive freedom movement, with community leaders and organizations and elected officials.
- A commitment to individual and collective continued learning about the intersection of sexual and reproductive health, health equity, and systems of power and privilege.
- Ability to create new systems and processes and work cross-departmentally with different departments effectively.
- Must be able to work flexible hours including nights and weekends, with in person meetings required, and dependent on legislative calendars and electoral cycles.
- Must have reliable transportation with the ability to routinely travel throughout Rhode Island and Connecticut as needed
Work Schedule
- The position is hybrid and based in Rhode Island. This is a full-time, 37.5 hour a week, position; regular schedule will be Monday – Friday, with in person meetings and events required. Schedule will vary and include frequent nights and weekends.
$73,364 - $122,273 a year
Salary Range: MIN: $73,364 MID $97,818 MAX $122,273 and is based on full years of experience.
*Due to our commitment to pay equity, PPSNE does not negotiate salaries
PPSNE is committed to equal opportunity in all areas of its operations, including patient care and employment. Employment decisions are based on merit, qualifications, and business needs. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, national origin, age, disability, marital status, genetics, veteran status, or any other protected category. Discrimination and retaliation are strictly prohibited.
PPSNE offers a comprehensive benefit package which includes health, dental and vision insurance, retirement savings, paid parental leave, tuition reimbursement, generous paid time off, a flexible spending account, wellness program and more.
