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Economic Security for Illinois

Open position: Director of Policy & Advocacy

 

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Details

Start date: Between October 15, 2022 - November 15, 2022 

Location: Chicago, IL. This position is currently hybrid, 1-2 days meeting in person per week.

Salary Range: $80,000-$100,000

Job Type: Full-time, salary position with benefits (Medical, Vision and Dental Insurance, 401(k), Long and Short Term Disability Insurance, Basic Life Insurance, Connectivity Stipend, Work from Home and Professional Development Stipend)

Reports to: Executive Director

Manages: Program Manager for Future of Work and Program Manager for Cash Portfolio

 

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About Economic Security for Illinois

 

Economic Security for Illinois builds collective power to advance policy solutions that make Illinois’ economy the most equitable and inclusive in the country.

 

The policy solutions we promote include:

• A guaranteed income and cash transfer policies that give cash to people who need it, use it, and could benefit from it;   

• Equitable taxation structures, including an expansion of the existing Earned Income Credit and the implementation of a state Child Tax Credit;

• A Future of Work that addresses the current and future needs of Illinois workers and employers by offering higher pay, safer working conditions, and a modernized social safety net.

 

About the Role

 

Economic Security of Illinois (ESIL) is seeking a Director of Policy & Advocacy to manage coalition work and oversee policy campaigns to make Illinois’ tax system more equitable, to expand direct cash and income supports, and to address the current and future workforce needs of Illinois workers and employers.

 

The Director of Policy & Advocacy will work in close collaboration with the ESIL team, which includes the Director, two Program Managers, Communications Manager, and 5-10 consulting partners. The Director of Policy & Advocacy will steer the collective efforts of two coalitions, including 40+ Illinois Cost-of-Living Refund Coalition and the Illinois chapter of the Guaranteed Income Community of Practice.

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The Director of Policy & Advocacy will continue and build upon the success of both coalitions in their recent victory expanding the Illinois’ Earned Income Credit (EIC) by permanently expanding eligibility to nearly one million Illinoisans previously excluded from the refund—namely, childless workers aged 18-24 and over age 65, as well as immigrants who file taxes with an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). The coalition also increased credit amounts from the EIC returns and helped to secure one-time cash relief for the vast majority of low- and middle-income families. The Illinois Guaranteed Income Community of Practice (formerly the IL Cash Coalition) has successfully advocated for the creation of guaranteed income demonstrations in Chicago, Cook County, West Garfield Park, and Evanston that offer recurring direct cash payments to low-income Illinois families. Learn more about ESIL’s recent victories.

The ideal candidate is collaborative, experienced in managing others, and can efficiently prioritize and effectively communicate. This candidate believes in the importance of building collective power to advance policy solutions. This candidate is a creative problem solver who excels in a tight-knit team that prizes honesty, self-directed initiative, and equity in the workplace.

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Job Responsibilities

 

Policy Advocacy (40%)

• Supervise, plan, execute, and support policy initiatives created by tax equity, guaranteed income, and future of work portfolios in collaboration with ESIL staff 

• Strategically engage with legislators and policy makers to draft, champion, and secure ESIL and coalition policy priorities

• Draft advocacy materials, including: fact sheets, talking points, testimony, resource toolkits, and correspondence for officials for advocacy, as well as general network-wide guidance documents on policy and program execution 

• Serve as a spokesperson to the media; and, represent the coalition in relevant external committees, conferences, meetings, and convenings as needed

• Stay abreast of legal and legislative developments and their impact on ESIL policy initiatives and priorities

• Engage in other policy areas as developed or directed by the Director

• Work with ESIL staff to develop campaign strategies and plans that build both short-term and long-term power surrounding our policy priorities

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Coalition Management (40%)

• Build and maintain partnerships with organizations to support a campaign to implement various tax equity and cash policies including creation of a statewide Child Tax Credit, expansion of Earned Income Tax Credit, and implementation of direct cash policies

• Manage the coalition operations, including overseeing contracts with coalition partners, staff and consultants

• Facilitate collaborative processes across the coalition to develop shared campaign plans, including goals, strategies, and tactics

• Oversee and create plans to engage grassroots and community partners: including advocacy petitions, events, phonebanks, or other community organizing initiatives

• Schedule and facilitate meetings with legislators and other key figures

• Monitor news and events that would affect policy and coalition efforts

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Fundraising, Communications, & Administrative Support (20%)

• Work with the Director to co-manage Program Managers daily operations

• Review campaign-related grant proposals, reports, LOIs, concept notes, and other content for fundraising purposes in collaboration with colleagues key external partners

• Partner with Communications & Digital Manager to seek press opportunities for ESIL policies and campaigns 

• Fulfill other duties assigned by the Director

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The Skills and Attributes You’ll Need

 

We are passionate about developing a diverse and inclusive team. If you are passionate about guaranteed income and narrative change but do not meet 100% of the qualifications listed below, we encourage you to apply.

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• A genuine belief in ESIL’s mission and a strong understanding of racial, gender and economic justice 

• 5+ years of experience in community organizing and/or campaign management 

• Experience throughout the process of policy advocacy from drafting and bill creation to legislative authorization and implementation  

• Knowledge of Illinois and local politics and legislative leaders is a plus

• Experience managing other employees with a focus on establishing an organizational culture of inclusion and respect 

• Strong project management skills, including experience developing and implementing strategic and tactical plans to set and achieve outcomes

• An excellent ability to manage upward, downward, and laterally

• Demonstrated ability to build relationships and engage diverse stakeholders

• Excellent interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills

• Experience with meeting facilitation to foster a collaborative discussion that leads toward a shared understanding of priorities with tangible next steps

• Ability to work  on a deadline, to adapt to changing situations and priorities, to handle confidential information, and to manage multiple projects simultaneously

• Proficiency in Microsoft Suite, Google Suite (Gmail, Docs, Sheets, Slides), Slack; familiarity with Zoom, Canva, Mailchimp, Eventbrite, Calendly, social media platforms (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, TikTok), Action Network a plus

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How to Apply

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To apply for the position, please email the three following things to info@economicsecurityil.org: 

A) your resume; 

B) a cover letter with answers to the below questions; and, 

C) a writing sample you produced (this could be a memo, policy brief, op-ed, or another policy-related document from a campaign).

You can send the items either as a text document or a PDF; please include “Director of Policy & Advocacy” in the email subject line.

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Your cover letter should include 200 words on each of the following questions:  

1. Why are you interested in this position and working with Economic Security for Illinois? (200 words)

2. Share an experience you have leading a campaign (win or loss). (200 words) 

3. Tell us about a time when you had to manage multiple projects within a team. How did you make the decisions on what to prioritize and how to communicate your decisions? (200 words)

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Our hiring process typically consists of a phone interview (30-45 minutes) with a member of our hiring committee and a final interview (60 minutes in person; can be conducted remotely if needed) with presentation materials prepared in advance by the candidate. We will ask for references at the time of the final interview.

 

Reviews of applications will begin on a rolling basis. Application will remain open until the position is filled. We expect to make a hiring decision by early September 2022 for an October 2022 start date.

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Economic Security for Illinois is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants are considered for employment without regards to age, race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, national origin, sexual orientation, disability or veteran status. 

 

Economic Security for Illinois (ESIL) is fiscally sponsored by the Economic Security Project, a 501(c)3 organization. ​​Because ESIL values a diverse and representative workplace, people who identify as Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, and people of all gender identities are strongly encouraged to apply. ESIL is committed to attracting, developing, and retaining exceptional people, and to creating a work environment that is dynamic, rewarding, and enables each of us to realize our potential. Our work environment is safe and open to all employees and partners, respecting the full spectrum of race, color, religious creed, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, political affiliation, ancestry, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, and all other classifications protected by law in the locality and/or state in which you are working.

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If you have questions about this opportunity, please reach out to info@economicsecurityil.org

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