[Hiring] Director of Policy, Advocacy and Government Affairs @GREATER CHICAGO FOOD DEPOSITORY

Role Description

The Director of Policy, Government Affairs & Advocacy leads Feeding Illinois’s legislative, regulatory, and public policy strategy at the state and federal levels. This role serves as the chief lobbyist and policy strategist, advancing a proactive agenda that strengthens anti-hunger programs, protects critical nutrition program funding, and promotes equitable policies that address food insecurity across Illinois.

The Director builds and maintains strong relationships with lawmakers, state agencies, coalition partners, and community stakeholders, and works closely with member food banks to align advocacy priorities and mobilize collective action.

This hire will be paid by the Greater Chicago Food Depository but will be a remote staff person of Feeding Illinois, providing support to any food bank interested in delegating on or collaborating around responsibilities aligned with the duties below. Cover letter submission required for application consideration.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree recommended; Master’s Degree or graduate level work in public policy, social work, public health, urban planning, or a related field is preferred.
• Minimum of 7-10 years of work experience with at least 3 years of experience in lobbying, advocacy, public policy, community organizing, political campaign, or similar experience.
• Expert knowledge of federal and state legislative processes. Familiarity with Illinois legislative and regulatory processes preferred.
• Excellent written, oral, and presentation skills.
• Strong people skills including ability to establish and maintain effective, collaborative relationships with diverse stakeholders and influence others toward a common goal.
• Strong knowledge of the advocacy and political landscape in Chicagoland, including trusted relationships at the federal, state and local levels, and a track-record of collaboration with other civic, advocacy, or community organizing groups or coalitions.
• Proven record of generating buy-in from stakeholders and advancing legislative solutions.
• Ability to work in political environments requiring a high degree of tact, discretion, and political savvy with keen political and interpersonal judgment.
• Ability to effectively adjust communications for audience and situation.
• Strategic thinking with robust analytical/problem solving skills and organizational agility.
• Ability to advance multiple projects simultaneously and leverage opportunities to achieve multiple objectives.
• Ability to effectively manage complex projects and work with limited supervision.
• Action-oriented, entrepreneurial leader with significant creative capacity and flexibility.
• Proficiency in MS Office-Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and any client relationship management (CRM) database.

Requirements

• Normal office environment; some warehouse environment.
• Fully remote.
• Location: Illinois (Springfield presence during legislative session, and occasional travel to food banks statewide and Washington D.C.)
• Interacts with Feeding Illinois and network member staff; political and community leaders; federal, state, and local government staff; volunteers; network member agencies and general public.

Benefits

• Health, dental, and vision insurance coverage
• Employer-paid life and disability insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• 403(b) retirement plan with employer contribution
• Generous paid time off
• Parental leave
• On-site gym
• $3,000 annual employer-paid ThrivePass lifestyle and wellness benefit program
• $250 employee referral bonus