Summary:
The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) Policy team works to advance the SPLC’s agenda with government officials, advocating policy, legal, and legislative recommendations in alignment with the SPLC’s Impact Statement. Reporting to the Chief Policy Officer, the Senior Policy Counsel, Voting Rights and Civic Engagement is responsible for developing strong relationships with policymakers and their staff, working with colleagues to craft legislation and policy recommendations to advance voting rights and progressive legislation to expand ballot access, and building coalitions among partners and allies to mobilize public support and action for SPLC’s policy recommendations.
Primary Job Functions:
- Develop strong relationships with key members of Congress, their staff, and federal administration officials who oversee, develop, and implement U.S. policy promoting voting rights and free and fair election administration at the federal, state, and local levels;
- Work closely with the staff in the SPLC Voting Rights practice group to develop policy materials and legislative initiatives on voting rights issues, respond to administration initiatives and regulations, and provide relevant recommendations to key officials and legislators;
- Organize briefings and facilitate SPLC testimony and statements before relevant Congressional committees and federal agencies;
- Coordinate and facilitate meetings and collaborate with key stakeholders, ally organizations and coalition partners to strategize on voting rights and election protection;
- Maintain knowledge and professional expertise on relevant policy issues to support advocacy efforts;
- Work with the Communications Department, develop and help implement communication strategies and messaging for social media and advocacy efforts and serve as spokesperson upon request;
- Communicate regularly with SPLC staff across the organization to ensure familiarity with the work and SPLC’s policy goals;
- Comply with all federal and state lobbying and ethical rules and requirements; and
- Other duties as may be assigned to meet SPLC needs.
Qualifications –
Education and Related Work Experience:
- At least ten (10) years of experience in public policy, with demonstrated knowledge and advocacy expertise on issues related to voting rights, ballot access, and facilitation of free and fair elections;
- Significant experience collaborating with members of Congress, their staff, and administration officials on crafting federal legislation and policy;
- Demonstrated experience building and working with coalitions;
- Policy experience for an advocacy non-profit organization is preferred; and
- Juris Doctorate Degree or advanced degree.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Excellent communication – verbal and written – and interpersonal skills;
- Capacity to facilitate strategic meetings with high-level stakeholders;
- Ability to manage fast-moving complex advocacy campaigns with a high degree of independence; strong time management skills, including an ability to meet multiple deadlines and work with different teams in the organization;
- Keen political awareness and ability to work both sides of the aisle. Demonstrated ability to build relationships among individuals and organizations with a range of interests and perspectives;
- A sense of collegiality; aptitude for being a team player;
- Commitment to the ideals of justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion; and
- Commitment to fostering an anti-racist work culture and to anti-racist principles and learning.
Compensation:
Exempt: This is an exempt role, and the minimum starting salary is $139,976.00 annually.
Work Designation:
This role has the following work designation options:
Telework: Will work in an SPLC office at least three days per week and may work two days per week from an alternative work location.
Remote Local: Will work remotely but is expected to attend work-related activities that occur at the SPLC offices or in the states in which SPLC operates.
Other Special Considerations:
This job is performed under general office conditions and is not subject to any strenuous physical demands or dangerous conditions.
This position is represented by the Washington-Baltimore News Guild.
Disclaimer:
The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the employee in this position. These statements are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of a person in this position.
An Equal-Opportunity Employer with a Commitment to Diversity
Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) is proud to be an equal opportunity employer, and as an organization committed to diversity and the perspective of all voices, we consider applicants equally of race, gender, gender identity, color, sexual orientation, religion, marital status, disability, political affiliation, national origin, or prior record of arrest or conviction.
