Public Policy Director

Organization & Position Summary:

The Arc Minnesota promotes and protects the human rights of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, actively supporting them and their families in a lifetime of full inclusion and participation in their communities.

This position is responsible for leadership of organization-wide public policy and systems change efforts. This position will:

• Achieve our state and federal public policy, legislative advocacy, systems change, and voter engagement goals in partnership with The Arc Minnesota staff, members, self-advocates, and the broader disability community; 
• Directly engage people who have lived experience – specifically leaders who have intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and disability community members who are Black, Indigenous, and People of Color – in creating policy and systems change proposals, as well as in grassroots advocacy efforts to build a more equitable society; 
• Represent The Arc Minnesota in public events, strategic coalitions, and meetings with elected officials, agency staff, the media, partner organizations, and external stakeholders; 
• Demonstrate and model The Arc Minnesota’s values of Human and Civil Rights, Self-Advocacy and Self-Direction, Equity and Belonging, and Disability and Racial Justice – Internally and externally.

Major Responsibilities:

• In partnership with public policy team members, develop annual programmatic work plan. Review and develop related goals, objectives, outcomes, and evaluation/impact measures. 
• Partner with organizational leadership, staff, strategic partners, and stakeholders with diverse lived experience statewide to develop public policies, legislative proposals, and systems change priorities. 
• Direct and manage The Arc’s Public Policy program with responsibility for staffing, budgeting, strategic planning, and implementing work plans that serve the needs of the organization and our stakeholders. 
• Act as The Arc Minnesota’s lead representative at the state Capitol and advocate for policies included in our annual legislative agenda. Develop and maintain positive, influential relationships with key decision makers in the legislature, administration, and state agencies. 
• Promote new programs and advocate for resources for The Arc’s programs, services, and other priorities within the U.S. Congress, state legislature, and state agencies. 
• Convene The Arc Minnesota Public Policy Committee. Recruit and support engagement of members who have diverse lived experience that can inform our grasstops/grassroots, legislative advocacy, and voter engagement work. 
• Represent The Arc Minnesota in public speaking engagements to demonstrate the organization’s expertise in disability policy and advocacy and promote our organizational values. 
• In partnership with Advancement Team members, plan and implement comprehensive internal and external communications plans related to legislative and grassroots advocacy priorities. 
• Identify and implement data collection and evaluation strategies that maximize outcomes and enhance ability to communicate programmatic impact. 
• Act as The Arc Minnesota’s designated reporting lobbyist and complete timely reports for the Minnesota Campaign Finance Board. 
• Oversee and approve program expenditures in accordance with approved annual budget, budget line items, and written contract policies. 
• Provide direct supervision of Legislative Advocacy Coordinator who will support public policy, legislative advocacy, systems change, and grasstops/grassroots initiatives statewide. 
• Provide direct supervision of public policy program interns who will support statewide strategic initiatives for the public policy program. 
• Use theprinciples of the Disability Justiceto guide day-to-day work.

• Bachelor’s Degree required; advanced degree in public affairs, public policy or applicable work experience preferred. 
• At least five years’ experience in government relations, legislative affairs, and/or grassroots advocacy, or related areas. 
• Minimum five years’ professional experience in advocacy on behalf of and alongside people who have disabilities preferred. 
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills. 
• Knowledge of volunteer engagement and management. 
• Knowledge of marketing and communications planning, social media platforms, and multimedia strategy. 
• Ability to work with all people, including but not limited to elected officials, government officials, organizational leadership, volunteers and external stakeholders. 
• Understanding of fundraising and development functions.

Salary Range:$77,000.00 Annually Onwards

Compensation & Benefits:

• Generous time off policies 
• Remote work options 
• Flexible schedules, because we understand the importance of your life OUTSIDE of the workplace 
• Competitive salary, starting at $77,000 Annually 
• The Arc Minnesota offers health insurance through Blue Cross / Blue Shield with an employer funded HSA (depending on plan design) 
• Dental insurance starting at $2.02 for single coverage and $16.93 for family coverage 
• The opportunity to make a difference in YOUR community & and in the lives of Minnesotans with Intellectual and Development Disabilities