Director of Strategic Partnerships and Policy
Job Title: Director of Strategic Partnerships and Policy
Status: Full-time, Exempt
Salary Range: $85,000 - $95,000
Location: Hollister & Gilroy, CA
Reports to: CEO
Reporting Relationship: Parent & Youth Organizing Coordinator(s), Youth Media Team(s)
Benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, 401k, FSA, Holiday/Paid Time Off, Family Friendly Organization with flexible work schedule
BACKGROUND AND STRATEGY DESCRIPTION:
Youth Alliance (YA) focuses on building sustainable local change that transforms the systems, structures and communities most impacted by harsh youth criminalization policies and practices, including the most marginalized in terms of health, economic, and education equity. The Director of Strategic Partnerships and Policy will lead the development and implementation of participatory action research, advocacy, and organizing efforts essential to challenging harsh and punitive policies in schools, the juvenile justice system, and communities, and advancing restorative, healing-informed, and inclusive practices and policies informed and led by the youth and families most impacted.
The Director of Strategic Partnerships and Policy leads YA’s organizing and movement-building teams to strengthen the power and voice of youth and adults to advocate for sustained change in schools and communities through popular education, participatory research, coalition building, and direct action. In addition, the Director of Strategic Partnerships and Policy supports the development and implementation of a policy advocacy agenda, working with and increasing the capacity of grassroots leadership, organizational stakeholders, and community allies.
POSITION OVERVIEW AND EXPECTATIONS:
This position reports to the CEO and works as a key member of the Leadership Team and cross-departmental initiatives. The Director will oversee parent and youth organizing coordinators and alignment of the youth media team to elevate YA’s goals, support narrative change, and resource the work. The Director serves as a representative to regional and statewide coalitions to develop meaningful relationships and to support moving identified capacity building and/or policy targets.
Responsibilities
Inform overall strategic goals and objectives for YA’s policy and advancement initiatives
Implement Youth Alliance projects with excellence and maximum policy impact, including:
○ Support local, regional, or state-level advocacy efforts in partnership with the CEO, YA
team members, and external field leaders.
○ Represent YA in collaborative advocacy efforts and make recommendations about YA’s
role and commitment of resources
○ Develop relationships with young people, families, and key political stakeholders
○ Represent Youth Alliance in internal and external meetings, and before movement
leaders, government staff and leaders, policymakers, experts, and funders.
Leadership and Strategic Partnerships
Serve as a key member of the Leadership Team with shared responsibility for achieving the organization’s vision and goals.
Lead YA’s regional / statewide intersectional organizing and campaign work through base building, training, action research, delegations, alliance work, and organizing.
Facilitate internal and external processes to address structural racism and capacity building for community-led transformative organizing.
Support the coordination of YA’s grassroots organizing work through research, community engagement, base building, leadership development, and other activities.
Develop and implement a suite of peer-learning opportunities, trainings, webinars, office hours, etc., to build the capacity of justice leaders.
Works closely with the CEO, board members/volunteers, existing partners, and other parties to bring critical partners and/or funders to an awareness and involvement in the initiative
Partner with educational institutions, justice system stakeholders, and advocacy groups.
Participate in and/or lead coalitions to advance community power, youth education and justice.
Be the Central Coast representative to the Central Coast Movement Building Coalition (CCMB) and provide leadership in other networks. Assist in event planning and attend related conferences, trainings and workshops.
Organizational Leadership
Contribute to the organization's strategic planning and decision-making processes.
Supervise and mentor staff members within the policy, media, and organizing teams.
Ensure alignment of programs with organizational goals and values.
Manage grants, budgets and resources effectively to support initiatives.
Participate in cross-department committees and teams to help lead our racial justice and
positive youth development organizational culture work.
Ensure effective data tracking and systems around policy work and organizing.
Communication and Narrative Change
Work with the youth media team and communications team to develop a media outreach and
educational campaign strategy.
Collaborate to create materials and tools that support shared vision and strategy using print
materials, media, and social media.
Support the Marketing / Program teams in coordinating media outreach opportunities.
Develop complex concept papers, grant proposals, and reports.
Supervise reporting to funders/partners as assigned.
Work with the media as appropriate.
Perform other duties as required
Education and Experience Qualifications
A minimum of 7 years of experience in a related field and/or a racial justice nonprofit
organization working on similar issues.
Experience in successfully managing people. Ability to work well with diverse individuals and
support their growth and development.
Experience setting strategy, managing goals, and developing / implementing plans for a team.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Experienced and comfortable working closely with diverse stakeholders, including impacted
individuals, community partners, government staff and policy makers.
Experience with and knowledge of the education, grassroots organizing, and/or policy fields.
Proficiency with G-Suite applications and Mac OS.
Oral fluency in the Spanish language.
Familiarity with the Central Coast, system-impacted youth, or rural communities, with
appreciation and respect for its history, people, and political landscape.
Ability to work with online data collection tools and data management systems.
Desired Qualifications
Demonstrated experience building external relationships, representing an organization publicly, and serving as a visible spokesperson.
Experience in crafting proposals and donor or funder correspondence.
Work Environment
The position is located in the Hollister or Gilroy office with regional or state travel. Occasional
weekend and evening work assignments. Hybrid 2 days/week option.
Fast-paced, complex work environment
Leading and participating in frequent remote video and telephone conferences is required.
Physical Demands
Able to work on a computer, including sitting at a desk, for extended periods. Able to read a
computer screen. Manual dexterity to operate a keyboard.
Able to occasionally lift objects weighing up to 20 pounds
Ability to travel.
Benefits:
Healthcare insurance options, dental, vision, retirement, life insurance policy, FSA (flexible
spending account) and more!
11+ PTO Days, 12 Holiday Days
YA provides 2 additional "rejuvenation days" in December
Professional Development Assistance
Employee Assistance Program
Yearly Staff Retreat/Team Building, Staff Appreciation events, and other YA Events.
Customize your Work Schedule (dependent on supervisor approval based on positional and
departmental needs)
Hybrid - In-Office and Remote Work (frequency of in-person work is dependent upon the role)
Opportunity for Employee Referral Bonuses
To Apply:
Email Cover Letters and Resumes to careers@youthall.org
Position open until filled. We will be reviewing applications as they are received.
Youth Alliance is an Equal Opportunity Employer
YA is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with disabilities, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.
Youth Alliance | 310 4th Street, Ste 101 Hollister CA 95023 (831) 636-2853