Weekend Influencer Relations Jobs in Raleigh, NC

SUMMARY
Reporting to the President/CEO, the Director of Advocacy (DA) is responsible for leading the affiliate's advocacy efforts by promoting policies and systems that eliminate barriers to affordable housing. The Director of Advocacy will lead the department in conducting public education and awareness activities to highlight the importance of housing affordability in our community and build political will for change.
This is a full-time, exempt position requiring flexibility to work evening and weekend hours as needed for meetings and projects.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Policy Advocacy and Governmental Affairs

• Provide leadership in setting and implementing Habitat Greater Raleigh's advocacy agenda, policy priorities, and strategy.
• Lead Habitat Greater Raleigh's policy advocacy efforts, which are primarily focused at the local/regional level with some engagement at state and national levels in collaboration with Habitat North Carolina and Habitat for Humanity International (HFHI).
• Champion Habitat Greater Raleigh's participation in HFHI's national advocacy campaigns.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with local, state, and national policymakers to position Habitat Greater Raleigh as a trusted advisor on housing issues.
• Support the development review processes for Habitat Greater Raleigh projects and mobilize the network to contact elected officials in support when needed.

Public Awareness and Education

• Speak on behalf of Habitat Greater Raleigh to promote its advocacy agenda in collaboration with the CEO.
• Raise awareness for equitable housing policies and call out systems that perpetuate the need for Habitat, especially through a racial justice lens.

Partner with the Communications department to set advocacy communications strategy, including key messaging, media, public relations and online engagement.

• Position Habitat Greater Raleigh as a thought leader and resource on affordable housing, especially regarding homeownership.
• Educate policymakers and community leaders on housing policy and issues affecting Habitat Greater Raleigh's ability to further its mission.

Community Partnerships

• Forge partnerships with organizations across the housing continuum so that all may work together to advance access to housing affordability.
• Facilitate Habitat Greater Raleigh's involvement in network-wide advocacy events, including Habitat NC Legislative Day, Habitat NC Week of Action, Habitat on the Hill, etc.

Grassroots Mobilizing

• Lead efforts to engage Habitat Greater Raleigh's constituency with housing advocacy messages and present opportunities for stakeholders to take action.
• Recruit board members, advocacy committee and homebuyers to participate in HFHI's national lobby day, Habitat on the Hill.
• Work with the Homebuyer Support team to empower homebuyers and neighborhood residents to become housing advocates.
• Partner with the Faith Relations department to engage faith coalitions in advocacy from a faith-based justice perspective.

Strategic Planning and Departmental Leadership

• Set the strategy for Habitat Greater Raleigh's advocacy initiatives in collaboration with the Advocacy Committee and CEO.
• Represent the advocacy function on Habitat Greater Raleigh's senior leadership team.
• Supervise the Advocacy Specialist role and other staff/intern/volunteer positions within the department.
• Manage department budget and track expenditures.
• Report advocacy metrics and progress on a monthly basis.
• Develop monthly reports for the Advocacy Committee and Board of Directors.
• Engage in strategic planning to set annual objectives within the context of Habitat Greater Raleigh's organizational goals.

Advocacy Committee

• Lead the Advocacy Committee in shaping Habitat Greater Raleigh's advocacy agenda and setting annual policy priorities that guide the affiliates advocacy work.
• Recruit for the Advocacy Committee and onboard new members.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required

• Knowledge of affordable housing issues and policy at the local, state and/or national level
• Experience developing and managing efforts to influence policymakers and external stakeholders.
• Ability to think strategically and use judgement in decision-making.
• Prioritize work to meet objectives when balancing multiple projects with differing deadlines, importance, and stakeholders.
• Strong relational, analytical, writing and verbal skills for communicating with diverse populations.
• Ability to establish and maintain collaborative working relationships with Habitat Greater Raleigh staff, Advocacy Committee, community partners, and policymakers.
• Ability to organize work and time while working efficiently and effectively in an office with frequent interruptions.
• Self-motivated with the ability to work independently and as part of a team and with great energy and persistence.
• Excellent public relations skills with a passion for the organization's mission.
• Critical thinking, problem solving, accuracy and attention to detail.
• Experience effectively managing a team.

MINIMUM EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

• 5+ years of experience in advocacy, government relations, public affairs and/or awareness campaigns aimed at influencing policy change.
• Excellent computer skills including Microsoft Office Suite, Office 365, and virtual meeting platforms.
• Familiarity with data sets such as U.S. Census, Comprehensive Housing Affordability Strategy (CHAS), HUD Income Limits, HUD Fair Market Rents (FMR) preferred.
• Willingness to pursue ongoing training (e.g., affordable housing & advocacy) and professional development.
• Bachelor's degree in political science, public affairs, public policy, communications, or related field preferred, but not required

SUPERVISORY CONTROLS
Employee is responsible for creating strategies with the CEO to fulfill the organization's advocacy and societal impact mission and working with other staff to meet strategic goals. Work is performed in full cooperation with Habitat Greater Raleigh leaders and external organizations. DOA will work closely with CEO to develop and implement advocacy and societal impact strategies in accordance with the organizational strategic plan.
GUIDELINES
Employee will be guided by Habitat's mission principles and Habitat Greater Raleigh's strategic plan. More specific guidelines are provided by relevant Habitat Greater Raleigh policies and procedures related to advocacy. Additional guidelines are provided in the Habitat Greater Raleigh Policy and Procedure Manual.
COMPLEXITY
Responsibilities involve multi-tasking several activities with differing deadlines, importance, and stakeholders requiring exceptional ability to organize and prioritize work and manage time. Ongoing training (e.g., affordable housing & advocacy) is critical.
SCOPE AND EFFECT
All work must comply with applicable laws related to non-profit advocacy and employment.
CONTACTS
Employee has frequent contact with Habitat Greater Raleigh staff, volunteers, non-profit and government agencies, and elected officials for the exchange of information, partnering on projects and enhancing housing policy. Communication with other Habitat affiliates and HFHI headquarters staff is critical for implementing and improving programs.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit for long periods of time. The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; use hands to finger and reach with hands and arms. This position requires the ability to occasionally lift office products and supplies, up to 20 pounds.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
This job operates primarily in a professional office environment and routinely requires operating standard office equipment such as computers, phones, copier, and fax machine. Occasionally will be required to visit non-profit organizations, government offices, and faith communities; work in outside conditions that can include heat, humidity, and high noise levels.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
Employee will be responsible for working with directors, managers, coordinators, fellows, volunteers and/or interns to ensure that deadlines and quality control standards are met.
NOTE
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of the position. All employees may have other duties assigned at any time.
We are an equal opportunity employer. Applications are considered for positions without regard to veteran status, uniformed service member status, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, genetic information or any other category protected by applicable federal, state or local laws.
We also require that all staff take seriously their ethical responsibilities to safeguarding our intended beneficiaries, their communities (especially children), and all those with whom we work. In line with the prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse, all staff must pass a thorough background screening and will be held accountable for upholding our policies around ethical behavior, including safeguarding and whistleblowing.
THIS COMPANY IS AN AT-WILL EMPLOYER AS ALLOWED BY APPLICABLE STATE LAW. THIS MEANS THAT REGARDLESS OF ANY PROVISION IN THIS APPLICATION, IF HIRED, THE COMPANY OR I MAY TERMINATE THE EMPLOYMENT RELATIONSHIP AT ANY TIME, FOR ANY REASON, WITH OR WITHOUT CAUSE OR NOTICE.