Philanthropy Northwest

While most of our employees are based in our Seattle headquarters, we will consider remote candidates from our six-member state region: WA/OR/AK/ID/MT/WY.

OVERVIEW

The Senior Manager, Public Policy & Advocacy, is a full-time staff position that is responsible for developing and implementing ongoing activities and managing key analytical projects within Philanthropy Northwest’s public policy team. This position will be a leader in integrating a public policy lens into work across the organization and building a culture of advocacy across Philanthropy Northwest’s network, while centering Philanthropy Northwest’s commitment to racial equity. This role will manage a component of the Democracy Northwest initiative and lead Philanthropy Northwest’s annual delegation for Foundations on the Hill (in Washington, DC). They will also partner with The Learning Network team to develop and coordinate policy and advocacy-related programming for Philanthropy Northwest’s members. The public policy team includes this position, the chief of staff and a public policy and research analyst.

FLSA CLASSIFICATION: Exempt

REPORTS TO: Chief of Staff

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Key objectives of this role will be to:

  • Lead work to center Philanthropy Northwest’s commitment to racial equity and a reflective democracy in public policy and advocacy efforts.
  • Enhance integration of public policy and advocacy efforts within the overall Philanthropy Northwest enterprise.
  • Ensure the advancement of advocacy as a tool throughout Philanthropy Northwest’s network.
  • Lead analytical projects to surface themes and opportunities for Philanthropy Northwest and the network to advance our objectives.

The main bodies of work for this role are:

Government Relations, Policy Analysis and Advocacy (30%)

  • Conduct research, analysis and synthesis to communicate Philanthropy Northwest’s positions and policy priorities verbally and in writing to policy makers and other external audiences. Written products may include briefs or one-pagers, advocacy letters, legislative testimony and agency comments.
  • Lead coordination and implementation efforts of Philanthropy Northwest’s congressional meetings for Foundations on the Hill and support members’ preparedness for these activities with the chief of staff’s oversight.
  • Build and maintain relationships with policy makers, including deepening knowledge of the policy priorities and positions of federal lawmakers representing the Northwest region and general knowledge of the policy landscape and trends at each state level.
  • Build and maintain relationships with philanthropy, nonprofit and community partners to deepen policy issue expertise and advise strategies for Philanthropy Northwest’s engagement, including strengthening relationships with Philanthropy Northwest’s government members.
  • Have up-to-date knowledge of key policy proposals and developments related to Philanthropy Northwest’s public policy positions and priorities.

Democracy Northwest (25%)

Manage the funders table of the Democracy Northwest initiative as led Philanthropy Northwest staff member in partnership with Philanthropy Northwest’s executive-in-residence, including by:

  • Strategizing the cohort’s meetings by curating agenda topics, coordinating with speakers, advising on and contributing content, and co-facilitating discussions;
  • Coordinating internally to connect cohort discussions to programming and broader enterprise opportunities;
  • Orienting new members to the cohort; and
  • Managing the organizational budget for the funders table.

Programs, Communications and PNW Network (20%)

Serve as the policy team’s lead liaison with the programming team, including by:

  • Vetting ideas and opportunities for collaborative programming;
  • Ensuring internal coordination and development of new and existing programs and events related to public policy and advocacy. Specific opportunities include advocacy trainings, Friday Network Calls and standalone programs on emergent issues; and
  • Engaging appropriate external partners (philanthropy, community, government) as content experts, advisors and guest speakers.

Governance and Enterprise (25%)

  • Maintain in-depth knowledge of Philanthropy Northwest’s processes and strategies for developing public policy positions and advancing emergent issues through this framework.
  • Support the chief of staff with strategy, content and writing related to Philanthropy Northwest’s public policy committee and board-related work.
  • Support staff learning and engagement in Philanthropy Northwest’s public policy and advocacy efforts.
  • Engage in enterprise-wide activities and team building, including staff meetings, peer coaching, learning and development, annual conference, staff committees and other enterprise events throughout the year.
  • This is not a comprehensive list of duties, and there may be additional or different tasks as needed.


PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • Enthusiasm and understanding of public policy issues, governmental relations and advocacy strategies in philanthropy and/or the nonprofit sector with 6-8 years of relevant and progressively responsible experience.
  • Demonstrated strong research and analytical skills and ability to translate complex subjects into approachable concepts.
  • Knowledge of federal legislative process and structure, and experience leading a policy campaign at any government level. Demonstrated experience working with coalitions and cross-sector groups to advance public policy work.
  • Exemplary oral and written communication skills, with an ability to adapt to different audiences and formats. Must have solid experience writing and reviewing policy documents and conducting policy briefings.
  • Experience strategizing and implementing programming for stakeholders
  • public policy issues.
  • Exceptional interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to manage key relationships with diplomacy, including a keen ability to communicate with politically, ideologically, culturally and geographically diverse people and communities.
  • Experience with and commitment to advancing social justice and racial equity in organizations and/or communities.
  • Strong project management skills.
  • Comfort with ambiguity, flexibility and adapting to shifting priorities and plans, including on tight timeframes.
  • Ability to travel throughout the region and occasionally to Washington, D.C.
  • Ability to work effectively both autonomously and collaboratively.
  • Engage in public speaking engagements related to core work areas.
  • Develop and write content for public policy and advocacy communications, such as website updates, e-bulletins, blog posts or social media, in coordination with the marketing and communications team.
  • Support Philanthropy Northwest members and other external partners on public policy and advocacy-related questions on a range of topics.

SALARY AND BENEFITS

The annual compensation for a full-time position includes a package of benefits consisting of medical, dental, retirement contribution by employer (6% of salary and additional up to 2% dollar to dollar match (up to $1,800/year) to employee contribution), professional development, paid holidays and generous vacation policy, and flexible schedule. Annual salary range is $80,000-$90,000 depending on experience and location. While most of our employees are based in our Seattle headquarters, we will consider remote candidates from our six-member state region: WA/OR/AK/ID/MT/WY.

APPLICATION PROCESS

To apply, please submit a resume and cover letter indicating your key skills, experience and value you would bring to Philanthropy Northwest, via the application button. Resumes will be screened as they come in. This position will remain open until we find our ideal candidate.

ABOUT US

Philanthropy Northwest is a network for grantmakers and funders of all types working in Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington and Wyoming. We bring together a thriving community of grantmakers dedicated to supporting strong communities through collective learning, centering racial equity and investing in innovation. We believe philanthropy is at its best when it is collaborative and inclusive.

We are also home to The Giving Practice, a national consultancy committed to joyful, effective and equitable philanthropy. As a division of Philanthropy Northwest, The Giving Practice’s consulting team brings customized solutions, deep regional relationships and national expertise to support organizations navigating philanthropy’s changing landscape.

Philanthropy Northwest’ mission is to promote and facilitate cross-sector collaboration to build resilient, equitable and inclusive communities in the Pacific Northwest. We offer core programs to strengthen philanthropy, center diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI); and advance policy and advocacy efforts. What does this work involve?

  • We create dynamic learning experiences through workshops, events, publications, tools and networking opportunities.
  • Together with The Giving Practice, we offer a range of DEI resources and programs including trainings, personalized consulting services, peer cohorts, fellowships and guides/toolkits.
  • We connect with local, state and national lawmakers in policy conversations. We advocate for policies that strengthen charitable giving and promote a more prosperous, vibrant, healthy, diverse, inclusive and equitable region.

OUR CULTURE

  • We elevate the field of philanthropy by identifying opportunities, taking smart risks, challenging our assumptions, experimenting creatively, listening actively, engaging in conversations, and learning through action and reflection.
  • Strong relationships power our work at every level; we build them with care and nurture them attentively. 
  • We embrace and encourage diversity, equity and inclusion in our community and continuously seek to bring new perspectives into our organization and our networks.
  • We are a learning organization that invests in supporting the ongoing growth of our individuals, our team and our community.
  • We value high quality work that is grounded in deep mutual respect, healthy work/life balance, clear communication, humor and joy.


EQUAL EMPLOYEMENT OPPORTUNITY

Philanthropy Northwest is an equal opportunity employer. We strive to create an inclusive and equitable workplace and encourage people from underrepresented communities to apply. We value and celebrate our employees’ differences in age, ability, race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender expression, language, national origin, political affiliation, socio-economic status and veteran status.

Qualified candidates must be able to perform the essential functions of this position satisfactorily with or without a reasonable accommodation. It is our commitment to assess our current systems and create more opportunities for access and inclusion. To request accommodation or support, please email the Human Resources Team at HR at philanthropynw.org.

**COVID-19 vaccinations are mandated at Philanthropy Northwest. We will reasonably accommodate those individuals with medical conditions and/or religious beliefs that prevent them from obtaining the vaccine.

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