Director of Government Relations and Community Engagement

Position: The Director of Government Relations and Community Engagement (GRACE) is responsible for directing the organization’s comprehensive community engagement, public policy, and local government initiatives. Serve as key organizational representative for community partners, elected officials, and residents. The Director will report to the Deputy COO, with additional reporting to and support from the President/CEO on local government issues.

Responsibilities:

Community Engagement

·         Provide oversight for the implementation and ongoing engagement of the 24:1 Community Vision Report, the resident-driven community vision completed in 2019.

·         Provide oversight for the resident-led 24:1 Community Coalition supported by Beyond Housing, which includes Wellston Community Coalition, Clergy Coalition, Environmental Coalition, Business Opportunity Committee (BOC) and related subcommittees.

·         Lead GRACE team to develop community engagement strategies for a variety of projects impacting the 24:1 Community. Past examples include community engagement regarding school district accreditation, economic development projects, infrastructure improvements, and developing a comprehensive 24:1 Community Plan.

·         Lead efforts to increase resident leadership and build community capacity to move the 24:1 Community Vision forward.

·         Pursue additional opportunities to provide community engagement services to external clients.

Government Affairs

·         Provide oversight for coalitions supported by Beyond Housing, including 24:1 Municipal Partnership and 24:1 Public Policy Advocacy Council as a part of the 24:1 Community Coalition.

·         Provide oversight for ongoing engagement of residents to inform projects, programs, and services.

·         Plan, prepare and implement meetings and build relationships with elected leadership in the 24:1 footprint.

·         Serve as a consultant to municipal partners to support community projects like pooled purchasing and contracting, grants, communications, and local capacity building. Recent examples include updating building and inspection codes, adopting a 24:1 Master Land Use and Economic Development Plan, a comprehensive street overlay project, and coordinated health insurance purchasing across multiple municipalities.

·        Manage legislative processes and public policy advocacy at the state level.

Department Oversight

·        Manage department and project budgets.

·        Supervise GRACE department’s team, including full-time staff, practicum students, and interns.

·        Provide oversight for multiple grants, including federal, state, and private grants.

Personal Qualities:

·        Collaborative — A dynamic personality that is collaboratively minded, can recognize and identify strengths, seek consensus around mutual goals, and build meaningful relationships.
·        Creative, Critical Thinker — A systems-thinker and builder, who is not afraid to be innovative in designing solutions and has skills in articulating these ideas and concepts.
·        Methodical — Strong analytical, systems, and problem-solving skills to evaluate performance, prepare reports, and recommend/implement solutions using independent judgment. Ability to move from concepts to action through strong program design and evaluation.
·        Reliable — Leadership skills that reflect and value a team approach, demonstrated integrity, effectiveness, efficiency, and the ability to deliver high quality service. Highly capable of handling multiple tasks, projects and timelines. Excellent oral and written communications skills.
·        Trusted — Ability to work with residents, partners, and staff of diversified backgrounds with a positive, optimistic, solutions-oriented attitude. Shares a deep respect for the community, its stakeholders, and the residents that we serve.
·        Driven — Passion for the work and an interest in continuous learning and improvement.

Required Experience and Qualifications:

·          Extensive experience in community engagement and project management.
·          Some familiarity working with local government entities.
·          Strong community facilitator. Experience with group facilitation and balancing multiple agendas for a common goal is a must.
·         Commitment to racial equity and ability to work in diverse communities.
·         Demonstrated detailed project and grant management skills, including the ability to manage and prioritize multiple tasks and relationships, manage department and grant budgets, and meet program deliverables.
·         Experience with managing contracts, consultants, and partnerships.
·         Ability to build respectful and meaningful working relationships in and outside of the organization, including residents, community leaders, and local, state, and federal elected officials.
·         Ability to commit to a flexible schedule; participation in evening and weekend meetings and events (including City Council meetings, 24:1 Municipal Partnership meetings, resident committee meetings, and community events) is required for this position.
·        Ability to see the big picture, connect with current events, manage through times of urgency.
·         Adaptability and ability to respond to a constantly evolving environment.
·         Team builder and community builder. Ability to work well with others in a collaborative team environment.
·         Excellent public speaking and written communication skills.
·         Computer skills with Microsoft applications (i.e., Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Teams), virtual meeting tools (i.e., Zoom).

Preferred Experience and Qualifications:

·         At least 5-7 years of experience in community engagement, municipal government, public administration, or related fields.
·         Familiarity with 24:1/Normandy Schools Collaborative Community. Municipal planning.  State legislative processes and advocacy strategies.

Supervises: Government and Community Engagement Project Coordinators, Community Engagement Coordinator, Practicum Students, Interns, Consultants

Supervisor:  Deputy Chief Operating Officer

Salary and Benefits:

·         Salary $69,000 to $75,000
·         Benefits for full-time position as determined in current Beyond Housing Employee Handbook.

Application Instructions:

Please send resume and cover letter to hr@beyondhousing.org .  This position will remain open until it is filled.