Overview:
Groundwork Ohio seeks an experienced, highly-effective, team-oriented leader passionate about Ohio’s youngest and most vulnerable children and the families that support them. The successful candidate will direct the organization’s policy and advocacy efforts in support of its robust early care and education policy agenda.
Job Responsibilities:
Under the supervision of the Executive Director coordinate, develop, implement, manage and support Groundwork’s policy agenda;
Support the implementation of Groundwork’s signature policy initiatives;
Lead and support specific policy projects/campaigns and goals, including managing and contributing to project planning and strategy and ensuring execution of deliverables;
Support building advocacy capacity for Groundwork including fostering relationships with Advisory Committee members, strategic partners, executive and legislative decision-makers and staff through strategic communication including written communication, meetings, presentations, and dissemination of policy-related information;
Prepare background materials for targeted legislative audiences, including leading legislative briefings, preparing testimony, press releases, action alerts and talking points;
Represent Groundwork at external meetings and national conferences;
Research early childhood policy issues and write advocacy materials and policy briefs;
Support state-level early learning and healthy development coalitions;
Study and analyze local, state and federal legislative public policy proposals to determine impact on children and families in Ohio;
Identify promising practices at local and regional levels throughout the state;
Support all aspects of Groundwork events including advocacy day, public policy forums, legislative briefings, webinars, and other policy-related events for the organization;
Support an integrated strategic communications plan to advance Groundwork’s policy goals and increase visibility of its presence across key stakeholder audiences;
Contribute to content for Groundwork communications including print publications, Website, E-News, social media and other online communications;
Provide administrative, development and operations support as needed;
Other duties as assigned.
Required Qualifications
Passionate about advancing Groundwork’s mission.
Degree in Public Administration or similar, Master’s degree preferred, or equivalent work experience required.
Solid understanding of the policymaking process in the state of Ohio. Experience in health, Medicaid, mental health, early childhood education, K-12 education and/or related fields a plus.
Eight or more years of professional work experience with a minimum of three years of experience in legislative and/or executive branch advocacy with an understanding of governing ethics and lobbying rules.
Experience with coalition-building/management and grassroots/volunteer engagement.
High proficiency in oral and written communication and significant employment experiences that demonstrate successful practice of interpersonal relationship skills.
Thoughtful, self-motivated, and resourceful problem-solver, eager and willing to learn in a fast-paced environment
Strong work ethic with a can-do attitude.
Willing to travel to all regions of the state and national conferences as needed.
Committed to diversity, equity and inclusion.
Computer skills, including experience with Microsoft office products (specifically Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint), required. Social media skills a plus.
Salary commensurate with experience along with competitive benefits package including health insurance, vacation and sick time, and 401K. Groundwork Ohio is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity, equity and inclusion. Prospective applicants ready to collaborate with an awesome and highly-effective team of professionals are encouraged to send a resume with cover letter to Julia at JHohner@groundworkohio.org by Monday, October 5.