Director, Policy and Partnerships

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in California.

📋 Description

• Establish, lead, and promote Hope Services' policy agenda.

• Support the Board of Directors' Policy Committee by creating agendas, briefing materials, policy positions, and follow-up actions.

• Act as a representative for Hope Services and the disability inclusion movement to policymakers, funders, regional centers, peer organizations, coalitions, and various external stakeholders.

• Formulate Hope's stance on state and federal IDD strategy issues, encompassing funding, regulatory, and legislative concerns.

• Monitor legislation and regulatory developments; develop policy arguments, testimonies, support letters, and advocacy materials.

• Cultivate relationships with legislators, legislative staff, regional center leaders, and coalition partners.

• Collaborate with the Participant Advocacy Committee to amplify participant voices in policy initiatives.

• Build and maintain executive-level relationships with IDD-inclusive corporate employers to enhance inclusive hiring pipelines.

• Oversee corporate volunteer engagement and employer volunteer events from inception to execution.

• Foster executive champions to secure hiring commitments, in-kind resources, and funding.

• Manage relationships with four-year higher education institutions, community colleges, corporate entities, academic institutions, and government partners.

• Identify and seek partnership and funding opportunities.

• Provide strategic guidance and alignment to Inclusive Education and Employer Programs.

• Directly supervise the Special Projects Manager overseeing client advocacy, benefits navigation, and volunteer engagement.

• Participate on Hope Services' Executive Team and contribute to overarching organizational strategy and culture.

• Manage departmental budget, planning, and reporting in collaboration with Finance and the CEO.

• Mentor and develop staff while representing the department in planning sessions, board meetings, and organizational initiatives.

• Travel locally and regionally, with occasional statewide travel, for coalition meetings, legislative visits, partner sites, and community events.

⛳️ Requirements

• A bachelor's degree is required.

• A master's degree in public policy, public administration, disability studies, social work, or a related field is preferred.

• At least 10 years of experience working in and advocating for disability inclusion, equity, or a closely related human services domain.

• Proven experience in developing policy arguments and legislative advocacy strategies, including supporting or sponsoring bills, drafting testimonies, and engaging with legislators and their staff.

• A solid track record of cultivating and managing executive-level relationships with corporate, academic, or government partners.

• Previous supervisory experience, including managing staff and cross-functional or dotted-line teams.

• Experience in staffing or supporting a governing board or board-level committee is strongly preferred.

• Extensive knowledge of the IDD field, disability rights history, and the policy landscape affecting service delivery, including the Lanterman Act, DDS and regional center systems, and ADA.

• Strong skills in government relations and legislative affairs.

• Executive presence and proficient public speaking skills.

• Excellent relationship-building and negotiation skills with corporate and academic executives.

• Program and event management expertise.

• Strong strategic thinking abilities and the capacity to balance competing priorities.

• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.

• A collaborative leadership style.

• A commitment to furthering disability inclusion, equity, and the mission of Hope Services.

🏝️ Benefits

• Commitment to equal opportunity and an inclusive workplace.

• Reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities.