The American Association of University Women (AAUW) is the leading voice promoting equity for women and girls in education and the workplace. It has more than 170,000 members and supporters, 1,000 local branches, and over 800 college and university partners across the United States.
Summary Description:
Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer, the Senior Director of Policy and Member Advocacy will lead AAUW’s non-partisan and mission-driven public policy and grassroots advocacy work in support of AAUW’s extensive membership network and activist engagement programs. The Senior Director also manages the AAUW Action Fund’s education, advocacy, and outreach programs.
Essential Duties:
- Lead development and implementation of a comprehensive strategy of nonpartisan grassroots issue advocacy that translates AAUW’s vision and mission into actionable goals and objectives.
- Analyze the federal policy landscape and develop and implement innovative strategies for engaging AAUW’s membership and grassroots advocates, including managing the State Public Policy Chairs, the Public Policy Committee, and Lobby Corps.
- Manage AAUW’s strategy for coalition participation and manage key relationships with diverse coalition members to maximize AAUW’s impact on priority areas.
- Develop and maintain bipartisan relationships with key federal legislative offices, agencies, and committees.
- Oversee the development of policy content for AAUW’s website, electronic communications and publications, including regular content development as well as rapid response.
- For the AAUW Action Fund, oversee strategy and implementation of member and activist mobilization, including national voter education campaign resources.
- Work collaboratively with the Advancement and Communications teams on plans and strategies to address emerging and evolving policy events and member engagement.
- Actively participate and be a thought leader in a cross-functional research agenda. Advise on federal policy solutions to key drivers of and obstacles to gender equity and help draft policy recommendations based off research findings.
- Play a key role in AAUW’s cross-functional legal advocacy team, advising on distribution of case support and outreach grants in line with AAUW’s policy priorities. Manage a comprehensive education campaign to inform people of their rights.
- Oversee the policy team, supervising a staff with a focus on grassroots mobilization of membership.
- Foster a culture of inclusive innovation in which multiple perspectives are considered indispensable to strategic decision-making.
- Model a high standard of collegiality within the team and in its collaborations with all other departments within AAUW.
- Manage the policy budget, aligning financial resources with critical goals and objectives.
Skills/Qualifications:
- Minimum of 10 years relevant experience working in federal policy and advocacy, including at least 5 years in senior roles in grassroots advocacy or coalition engagement, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and/or experience from which comparable knowledge, skills, and abilities have been attained also provides the necessary components to perform the Senior Director of Policy and Member Advocacy role.
- Experience with membership associations is a plus.
- Supervisory experience and a record of fostering an inclusive and collaborative environment among staff.
- Demonstrated experience driving organizational outcomes through strategic advocacy.
- Well-established communications skills and ability to engage in nonpartisan coalition building.
- Exceptional critical and creative thinking and policy judgement, and ability to translate issues across a range of general, member, supporter, and policymaker audiences.
- Exceptional budget and project management skills – able to implement a strategy that aligns with goals and activities across the organization and able to manage multiple aspects of projects with staff and consultants while maintaining deadlines and high quality.
- Demonstrated ability to lead, collaborate and establish effective cross-functional relationships organizationally.
- Experience developing a high-performance, collaborative and results-driven team.
- Personal qualities of integrity, credibility, and a commitment to inclusion and equity.
- Clear understanding and commitment to AAUW mission, goals, and objectives.
Compensation and Location:
The salary range for this position is $140,000 – $160,000 annualized and offered with a competitive benefits package. The position is based in Washington, DC.
AAUW is a non-profit organization whose headquarters and staff are based in Washington, D.C. This is an in-office position with the option of working remotely up to three days per week. In keeping with AAUW’s commitment to a safe working environment, AAUW will required selected candidates to submit proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 prior to extending a job offer. If a candidate has a qualifying medical condition that contraindicates a covid-19 vaccination, a medical exemption form should be requested from Human Resources.
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