Job Description Title: Program Manager, Policy Change Department: Community Impact; People, Power and Policy Reports to: Director, Policy Change Direct Reports: None Classification: Regular; Full time FLSA Status: Exempt Job Grade: 18 The Trust's People, Power and Policy program (3P) invests in and collaborates with partners to advance community- and practice-driven solutions that can achieve the Trust's strategic goals on a region-wide scale. The People, Power and Policy program includes Critical Needs, Collective Power and Policy Change. The Policy Change team supports resident-leaders, policy organizations and coalitions that are working together to remove systemic barriers and advance government policy and solutions that will enable equitable economic mobility by building individual and community wealth for under invested in communities. The Trust itself also acts in coalition with others to build public and political will, champion administrative reforms and lobby for legislation that increase economic security and household and community wealth building opportunities, particularly for Black and Latine Chicagoans. Position Summary: The Program Manager, Policy Change reports to the Director, Policy Change and is a key member of the Trust's Policy Team. The Team is responsible for developing and implementing the policy and advocacy agenda that aligns with the strategic priorities and organizational interest of the Trust, including policies related to donor advised funds and other charitable funds. The agenda will include a range of social and economic policies at the city, county, state and federal level that advance the Trust's goals to build household and community wealth and address critical needs. The Policy Change team is responsible for building and cultivating relationships with public and elected officials and managing the Trust's lobbying activity. The Manager provides support in the areas of public policy research and analysis, project management, and government engagement. The Manager will be a key contributor to the development of the Trust's knowledge base and policy expertise, to the formation of the policy agenda, and to managing relationships with external stakeholders. In addition, the Manager will ensure and facilitate internal collaboration and close communication with peers across the organization including the Community Impact, Strategic Communications, Learning and Impact, and Philanthropic Services teams. Position Responsibilities:
- Contribute to the development and execution of the Trust's policy agenda
- Work with Director to research and identify policy opportunities, recommend Trust policy positions, develop communication tools, and execute policy action plans
- Compose issue-focused background memos to inform decision-making.
- Write talking points, position statements and background memos;
- Help plan convenings and connect grant recipients and other partners working together on the Trust's strategic goals and policy priorities.
- Conducts landscape scans and builds awareness of grant recipient and partner policy efforts and priorities as it relates to the Trust's policy agenda and strategic goals.
- Writes for policy maker and decisionmaker audiences and to compel partners and the general public through calls to action.
- Supports the policy team and Trust leadership in developing and cultivating relationships between public and elected officials at the city, county, state and federal levels by gathering and summarizing key background in preparation for meetings.
- Collaborates with CI colleagues and Strategic Communications to draft issue briefs, one-pagers, leave behinds, testimony, comment letters, talking points and calls to action on Trust policy priorities.
- Works with CI colleagues to conduct policy analysis and make recommendations for policy strategy and action
- Plan and execute policy-related convenings, including advisory groups or panels to generate ideas and inform the Trust's policy position and strategy
- Builds relationships with community organizing entities and leaders, policy advocates, civic actors and donors to advance the Trust's policy strategy
- Represents the Trust at coalition meetings, as requested.
- Support engagement and education of Trust leadership, donors, and stakeholders on priority policy issues
Experience and Skills Position Qualifications:
- A master's degree in public policy, public affairs, or public administration or is preferred
- Five to seven years of experience working as a legislative assistant or advisor; policy manager or communications staff for an elected official or government agency;
- Experience working in government in a legislative or executive office at the city, county or state level is strongly preferred
- Understanding of budgeting process for city, county, state, or federal government
- Some experience with the state of Illinois' legislative and budget process is preferred
- Expertise and experience working in one or more of the following policy areas is required: economic mobility, housing/homeownership, community economic development, workforce or higher education
- Familiarity with the network of local, state, and national actors, agencies, and organizations focusing on social and economic policies
- Ability to foster effective collaboration among diverse groups with a demonstrated commitment to racial, social and economic diversity, and inclusion
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Strong project management, relationship management, and collaboration skills, required
- Technical skills in Microsoft Office 360 (Word, Excel, Power Point, Outlook, Access, One Note), required
- Experience with Salesforce or other CRM tool preferred.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion are fundamental to achieving our impact The Chicago Community Trust's vision is a Chicago region where equity, opportunity, and prosperity abound. We acknowledge the specific role discrimination and systemic barriers based on race, ethnicity, and other varied identities and differences have played in limiting opportunities for too many. A commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion is at the core of who we are, the decisions we make, and the actions we take in our work to strengthen the communities we serve and advance our strategic focus to close the racial and ethnic wealth gap. Click here to learn more about our strategic plan. The History of The Chicago Community Trust The Chicago Community Trust was founded in 1915 by Norman and Albert Harris, father and son duo of the Harris Trust and Savings Bank (now BMO Harris Bank). The Trust was the fourth community foundation ever created. There are now 750 community foundations in Canada and the U.S. As our region's community foundation, the Trust unites generous donors, committed nonprofits and caring residents to effect lasting change that moves our entire region forward. Our approach centers on tackling the region's immediate needs and addressing the root causes of deep-seated issues to realize a more prosperous future for all who call metropolitan Chicago home. For more than 100 years, donors have entrusted their philanthropic resources and visions to our stewardship. Guided by our deep knowledge of the community, we fund, lead, convene and collaborate to address the greatest and most critical needs facing the Chicago region. From the $22 million raised to help with unemployment relief in the Great Depression to spearheading an effort to help people keep their homes during the foreclosure crisis of the Great Recession to $35 million raised for the Chicago Community COVID-19 Response Fund, which supported nonprofits serving our most vulnerable neighbors, Chicagoans have put their trust in us. In 2019, we announced we would focus our discretionary spending over the next decade on working to close Chicago's growing racial and ethnic wealth gap. The Trust envisions a Chicago region that's stronger and more prosperous because everyone-regardless of race, ethnicity, or zip code-has equitable access to the opportunities and resources they need to succeed and live a fulfilling life. With assets of more than $4.5 billion, the Trust, in partnership with its donors, distributes more than $1.6 billion in grants each year. The Trust Team seeks to match the passion and commitment of donors, grant recipients, residents, and community leaders that continue to work tirelessly to make the Chicago region one where all have the opportunity to realize their dreams.