Policy Director

at  UCLA

Reporting to the UCLA LPPI Deputy Director, the Policy Director is one of four area directors. The Policy Director oversees organizational strategy, projects, staff and vendors, and external partnerships across UCLA LPPI’s policy advocacy, community mobilization and leadership development portfolios. Essential competencies and responsibilities include, but are not limited to: Policy Research Development: Coordinate internally with the UCLA LPPI Directors of Research to identify emerging policy issues to inform UCLA LPPI’s research agenda, refine policy recommendations for research publications, elevate research findings and recommendations with policy influencers and stakeholders, and otherwise align mobilization activities to elevate UCLA LPPI research expertise and products for the purpose of driving policy outcomes. The incumbent will oversee two FTE. Government Affairs: Effectively steward and strengthen UCLA LPPI’s relationships with external stakeholder groups and organizations–including state and federal elected officials, government agency staff, Latine/x/o advocacy groups, news media, and philanthropic organizations–helping to identify shared interests, build mutual trust, advocate for and build capacity for data-driven policy making. Policy Expertise & Capacity Building: With extensive knowledge of policy making processes, systems change and political campaigns, build the capacity of external partners, faculty experts, LPPI staff and students to identify levers of actionable policy change based off research findings with an emphasis on California state policy but the ability to navigate federal and municipal level opportunities. This will apply to multiple policy priority areas. Coalition Building: Identify relevant advocacy organizations and policy experts to create coalitions, working groups and networks to advance UCLA LPPI’s research findings and policy recommendations and represent UCLA LPPI in these settings, helping to build awareness of our work among key stakeholders and engage in public will-building for the policy reforms that align with our research findings and recommendations. Convening and Facilitation: Leverage the convening power of the nation’s number 1 public research university and emerging Hispanic-Serving Research Institution to bring together key partners and stakeholders and facilitate processes to leverage UCLA LPPI’s research and data resources and identify new opportunities for collaboration and alignment. Strategic Communication: Effectively communicate UCLA LPPI research findings, policy recommendations, and advocacy positions through exceptional written products and oral presentations that reach a wide variety of audiences. Coordinate with faculty, staff and students to quickly develop compelling and factually based advocacy materials, such as legislative factsheets, formal remarks for legislative hearings, PowerPoint presentations for policy briefings, and talking points for coalition meetings. Staff Supervision: The ability to mobilize, manage and inspire diverse teams of staff, faculty and students eager to learn from each other and experts with many skills and life experiences. Train and supervise staff and/or students working on policy research projects. Serve as a member of UCLA LPPI’s leadership team. Project Management: Able to manage and lead projects or initiatives of $1m budgets from the design through implementation, evaluation and successful completion. This includes management of personnel, students, vendors, and contractors. Type of Supervision Received/Exercised: Incumbent will work both independently and as part of a team, seeking guidance of supervisor when problems arise.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum 10 Years Of relevant experience preferred, including management experience and a concentration in at least one of the following areas: urban policy, affordable housing, land, democracy and voting, civic engage (Preferred)
• Deep understanding of the political landscape, especially in California, and the ability to navigate complex political processes. Knowledge of other states and federal and experience in political campaigns is a plus. (Required)
• Expertise in federal and California state legislative processes with working knowledge of municipal-level and other non-governmental entities in driving impactful policy change. (Required)
• Expertise in State Government relationships and a well-established network of relationships with key figures in state government, including legislators and agency officials. (Required)
• Strong connections with other Latino organizations and advocacy groups. (Required)
• Interpersonal skills and cultural sensitivity to interact diplomatically and effectively with colleagues and visitors from diverse cultural backgrounds. (Required)
• Ability to work with frequent interruptions and changes in a busy office environment. (Required)
• Proficiency in crafting persuasive written materials to effectively convey policy positions. (Required)
• Strong project management skills to effectively plan and execute advocacy campaigns. Ability to lead and inspire a team of professionals and academics toward achieving policy advocacy goals. (Required)
• Clear and compelling communication skills, both written and verbal. Skill in speaking clearly and distinctly, using appropriate grammar, to obtain or convey information to individuals at various organizational levels. (Required)
• Skill in speaking clearly and distinctly, using appropriate grammar, to obtain or convey information to individuals at various organizational levels. (Required)
• Skill in working independently, prioritizing tasks and following through on assignments with minimal supervision. (Preferred)

EDUCATION, LICENSES, CERTIFICATIONS & PERSONAL AFFILIATIONS

• Bachelor’s Degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training (Required)
• Master’s Degree Public Policy (Preferred) Or
• Other Type of Degree Advanced degree in equivalent field (Preferred) Or
• Other Type of Degree Equivalent combination of relevant experience and Education. (Preferred) Or

COMPLETE POSITION DESCRIPTION

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