Forefront Job Description

 

Title:                                                 Policy Coordinator

 

Reports to:                                      Director, Policy & Government Affairs

 

Department/Program:                 Programs

 

Organizational Context:               Forefront is one of few statewide associations in the US whose membership includes grantmakers, operating nonprofits, and their advisors. Members are its primary customers. Within the context of the mission, Forefront programs are designed to provide opportunities for networking, education, policy engagement, leadership development, and collaboration among members.

 

General Job Description:             The Policy Coordinator will support the Director of Policy & Government Affairs to advance Forefront’s policy platform and advocacy goals at the federal, state, and local levels. They are responsible for supporting the development and execution of policy and government affairs related activities, programs, research, and communications that effectively engage Forefront Members and stakeholders and advance Forefront’s mission and vision.

 

Essential Job Duties:

 

Policy and Government Affairs Coordination

Support the Director of Policy & Government Affairs as directed by:

  • Monitoring, researching, tracking, and responding to local, state and federal policy developments and issues, including legislative and regulatory issues as directed
  • Scheduling virtual and in-person meetings with federal, state, and local government officials, staff and  other stakeholders and sending related materials in advance
  • Scheduling and supporting other administrative tasks related to the planning and execution of the Illinois delegation’s participation in the annual Foundations on the Hill (spring) and Confab (early summer) in Washington DC
  • Supporting scheduling, meeting and onboarding logistics for Forefront’s Policy Advisory Committee
  • If directed and according to experience, register as an exclusive lobbyist for Forefront, comply with all related reporting requirements, and represent Forefront as directed with covered officials 

Regularly updating the National Council of Nonprofits’ state policy tracker and supporting Forefront’s engagement with national partners as directed

 

Communications

Under the supervision of the Director, serve as the primary liaison between the policy and communications to:

  • Post policy-related updates in Forefront’s bi-weekly newsletter and weekly social media
  • Maintain accurate contact information in Forefront’s policy-related email lists including Voter Voice and Mail Chimp
  • Log government relations actions and draft alerts in Forefront’s public affairs software (currently Fiscal Note and Voter Voice)
  • Create and edit fact sheets, Wordpress website pages and blog posts, and other collateral related to policy priorities
  • Support policy surveys by making changes in Survey Monkey and engaging in outreach
  • Monitor general policy email account and respond or refer to Director appropriately

 

Engagement and Stewardship

Work closely with Director of Policy & Government Affairs and other Program and Development staff to

  • Coordinate scheduling, equipment, registration, catering, security clearance, and room and technology set up for relevant Policy events, meetings, and webinars
  • Identify, refer, and/or cultivate prospective new partners
  • Orient new members to Forefront’s public policy and government affairs efforts and programs by presenting at regular membership orientations on behalf of the policy team
  • Ensure exceptional customer experience at all points of contact and effective customer relationship management for all Forefront constituents
  • Schedule stakeholder meetings as assigned by Director

 

Administrative & Internal

  • Contribute to planning and execution of policy-related evaluation and prepare relevant reports
  • Manage constituent records in Salesforce and make updates as directed
  • Routinely update the policy team dashboard to support program evaluation and funder cultivation
  • Process payments to vendors for policy program in coordination with finance team
  •  

 

Position Qualifications

  • At least 1-2 years of work experience in administration and/or communications role(s) required
  • Experience creating content for various forms of social media and email newsletters required
  • Very strong attention to detail and ability to adhere to strict deadlines required
  • Strong analytical, research, organization, writing and presentation skills required
  • Demonstrated commitment to, knowledge of, and/or lived experience with racial equity/anti-racism
  • Problem solving skills, resourcefulness, and demonstrated ability to find necessary information
  • Experience with public policy analysis and/or working with elected officials preferred
  • Prior success working independently/remotely preferred
  • Microsoft/Teams, Wordpress, Salesforce, Fiscal Note/Voter Voice, Eventbrite, Zoom, Survey Monkey, and/or Sprout Social experience preferred
  • Microsoft/Teams, Wordpress, and Zoom experience required
  • Canva, Eventbrite, Fiscal Note/Voter Voice, Salesforce, Sprout Social, and/or Survey MonKey experience preferred

 

Location:  Must be based in Illinois. Hybrid work environment. This role may be fully remote if the candidate is located outside of Chicago.

Special Conditions:  Ability to travel by car or train around the state of Illinois, especially to Springfield during the months of January-May, is required. Additional travel to Washington, D.C. 1-2 times per year is required.

Position Classification:  Full-time, Exempt

 

Salary:  $58,000

 

Benefits: 403(b) with employer match; generous paid time off policy; paid parental leave; professional development assistance; employer contributions to dental, health, and vision insurance; employer-provided disability and life insurance; flexible spending account.

 

Forefront is an equal opportunity employer and considers all qualified applicants equally without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or disability status.

 

Women-led organization

 

Job Type: Full-time

 

Pay: $58,000

 

Benefits:

Dental insurance

Disability insurance

Health insurance

Life insurance

Paid time off

Parental leave

Professional development assistance

Vision insurance

 

Schedule:

Monday to Friday

 

Experience:

Public policy/research, communications, or related field: 1-2 years (Required).  Design tools a Plus - (Adobe and Canva)

 

Work Location:

One location

 

Work Remotely:

Yes