Summary

The Water Policy Manager (Manager) works with the Vice President of Policy and Strategic Engagement (VP of Policy), program staff and communications staff to support the Alliance’s policy and advocacy campaigns across the Great Lakes region. The Manager understands how our policy priorities help improve the Great Lakes and the lives of people who depend on them. They bring strength in both independent policy analysis and written communication skills, and work regularly with program staff to analyze policy and legislation, and develop external communications to support ongoing policy campaigns across all levels of government. The Manager will work closely with the Alliance’s Communication and Engagement Team (C&E) to ensure that C&E staff is abreast of policy and advocacy developments, needs and opportunities. The Manager works collaboratively with program and communications staff to ensure timely and high-quality creation of written and oral communications including presentations, fact sheets, briefing, blogs and comment letters directed to diverse audiences of stakeholders and government officials.  This is primarily an internal role at the Alliance that ensures that we have clear, compelling and consistent stories to tell across our highest priority policy campaigns.

A typical week for the Water Policy Manager might look like this –

• Reviewing state legislation and drafting an analysis that will inform the Alliance’s position and actions
• Meeting with internal policy staff to learn about new developments and identify coordination opportunities
• Meeting with C&E staff to alert them of campaign updates and communications needs and opportunities
• Campaign planning that helps to align policy and advocacy efforts at all levels of government

Impact: Within the first three years of this position’s work, candidates should expect to:

• Improve our capacity to quickly analyze legislative and policy proposals, identifying alignment or misalignment with organizational goals and values, and provide clear recommendations for action
• Increase the likelihood of complex policy priorities advancing by ensuring the communications of external program staff are relevant to the needs and motivations of various audiences, including elected officials, community members impacted by water pollution, businesses, and more
• Play a key role in supporting future Alliance policy campaign planning from conception to execution, with an emphasis on how effective communication can move specific audiences necessary for achieving policy goals

Responsibilities

• Analyzes state legislation and policy materials to identify critical provisions related to the Alliance’s agenda and prepares briefs for program staff, legislators and C&E staff that help educate them on the issues and inform advocacy strategies
• Responsible for creating timely written and oral communications materials including PowerPoint presentations and legislative briefs
• Serves as a liaison between programs and C&E staff to ensure that compelling stories about our campaigns across local, state and federal work are ready to support the Alliance’s constituent engagement 
• Works with program staff responsible for local, state and federal policy to connect advocacy efforts to campaigns
• Drafts and delivers public presentations and other program communications as needed in coordination with C&E staff
• Supports staff in relationship management with external partners
• Works with program and C&E staff to develop, support and track the Alliance’s local, state and federal policy priorities and help bridge the work across levels of government and with communications staff
• Provides information to Development staff for grant proposals and grant reports    
• Supports advancement of the Alliance’s diversity, equity and inclusion priorities as they align with policy goals

Knowledge/Skills

• 5+ years of experience in public policy work, communications, political organizing, grassroots organizing, civic engagement or related field
• The ability to conduct independent legislative and policy analysis, and translate analysis into concise briefs that clearly describe impacts on Alliance policy priorities 
• Demonstrated experience working as an analyst working on short deadlines for multiple issues and/or colleagues at the same time
• Basic understanding of relevant federal and state water policies such as the Clean Water Act and Safe Drinking Water Act, the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, the Farm Bill, State Revolving Funds, and similar policies
• Resilient and flexible when making recommendations to staff leading external policy advocacy 
• Fundamental commitment to socioeconomic and racial equity in Great Lakes issues and demonstrated skills in identifying policy options that advance equity
• Impeccable listening, written and oral communication skills — the ability to explain the reasons behind a particular strategic or creative approach, connect the short-term work to the long-term vision and to guide colleagues through campaign decision making 
• Ability to manage multiple pieces of work in a fast-paced environment and shift focus quickly from one priority to another
• Ability to manage complicated logistics and multiple details for meetings and events
• Ability to collaboratively work with a staff team located in different offices with varying types of expertise and priorities
• Satisfaction with a largely behind-the-scenes role focused on research and recommendation
• The Alliance for the Great Lakes values community, relationships, courage, integrity, optimism and the principles of justice, equity, diversity and inclusion in all our work.

Job Parameters

• This position is full-time and consistent with Alliance employment policy. Salary range is $60,000-70,000, commensurate with experience.
• Excellent benefits, including health and vacation are included.
• Eligibility to enroll in a retirement plan after 1 year of employment.
• This position can work remotely based within the Great Lakes region. Occasional travel within the region is required, in keeping with anticipated COVID-19 safety protocols.

Application Process

Please e-mail a cover letter, resume, references and writing sample to: hr@greatlakes.org.

Include job title in the subject line.

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled – we are looking to fill immediately. Materials should be compatible with Microsoft Word or Adobe Acrobat. Applicants will receive confirmation of receipt of their materials and further guidance and updates about the hiring process by e-mail, with interviews provided for finalists. No phone inquiries please.

About the Alliance for the Great Lakes

The Alliance for the Great Lakes is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The search process will reinforce the Alliance’s belief that achieving diversity requires an enduring commitment to inclusion that must find full expression in our organizational culture, values, norms, and behaviors.

Our mission is to protect, conserve and restore the Great Lakes ensuring healthy water in the lakes and in our communities for all generations of people and wildlife. We advance our mission as advocates for policies that support the lakes and communities, by building the research, analysis and partnerships that motivate action, and by educating and uniting people as a voice for the Great Lakes. Learn more about the Alliance at www.greatlakes.org. 

The post Water Policy Manager appeared first on Alliance for the Great Lakes.

Original Article

News – Alliance for the Great Lakes

News – Alliance for the Great Lakes

https://greatlakes.org/2021/10/water-policy-manager/

Judy Freed

Summary

The Individual Giving Manager (Manager) supports the overall fundraising strategy for the Alliance for the Great Lakes by developing and implementing a growth strategy and managing relationships with existing and new donors. This position is responsible for the coordination, solicitation, and stewardship of current and prospective donors implementing strategies that foster long-term engagement and broaden support across philanthropic giving opportunities. They work primarily with individual donors, as well as some institutional donors, family foundations, and businesses.

A typical day might include stewarding individual donors by thanking them for their support through printed acknowledgment letters and/or personal calls/conversations, cultivating individual donors through conversations around opportunities for increased support and engagement, managing production of print appeals, working with our communications team on electronic appeals and social media postings for campaigns/events, designing and creating an online donation page, planning our Great Blue Benefit and other gatherings for current and prospective donors, talking with individuals or small businesses interested in learning more about the organization and/or raising money on our behalf, and entering information and running reports in Salesforce. An upbeat, collaborative work style and sense of humor are keys to success in this role!

The Manager reports to the Vice President of Development and works closely with members of the Development Team, the Communications & Engagement Team, and the Leadership Team.

Responsibilities

• Work with Development Team to establish annual fundraising goals for Annual Fund and event revenue growth objectives that advance overall development goals; assess performance toward those goals on a regular basis

• Deliver short- and long-term fundraising results from a pool of primarily individual donors to help meet and exceed revenue targets

• Create strategies and tactics for improving donor acquisition, upgrades, and retention

• Develop thoughtful engagement touchpoints for individual donors and prospects, with a focus on increasing donor engagement and giving

• Work with vendors on design, production, and mailing logistics for print appeals

• Track and report on donor performance with an eye toward increased revenue and decreased cost per dollar raised, and continual testing and improvement of appeals

• Partner with the Communications & Engagement team to build robust analytics on donor retention, lifetime giving performance, and other KPIs

• Help maintain accurate donor information in fundraising database (Salesforce) and provide assistance as needed with data entry and reporting

• Set mailing list criteria and create data files for print vendors of direct mail appeals

• Coordinate workplace giving programs, including EarthShare

• Collaborate with other development staff to ensure fundraising objectives are met or exceeded

• Help create a culture of development responsibility across all relevant Alliance staff

Knowledge/Skills

• Minimum of 5 years of fundraising and donor relationship management experience

• Ability to manage projects from concept through execution with close attention to detail and ability to meet deadlines

• Strong listening, written, and verbal communications skills

• Proven ability to identify, develop, and solidify new donor relationships; maintain and build upon existing relationships

• Solid interpersonal skills; can facilitate a team process while working collaboratively with various stakeholders

• Goal-oriented and able to cultivate support and buy-in from other team members for achieving timely fundraising objectives

• Strong organizational skills and ability to multi-task

• Driven to measure and evaluate effectiveness and adjust strategies as data and external events warrant

• Understands standard campaign elements and database(s), tracking, metrics, analysis and optimization, and ROI calculations

• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite; familiarity with Salesforce or other similar donor database system

• Experience building donation and/or event pages using Classy or similar giving platform

• The Alliance for the Great Lakes values community, relationships, courage, integrity, optimism, and the principles of justice, equity, diversity and inclusion in all our work.

Job Parameters

• This position is full-time and consistent with Alliance employment policy. Salary range is $60,000-70,000.

• Excellent benefits and vacation are included.

• Eligibility to enroll in a retirement plan after 1 year of employment.

Application Process

Please e-mail a cover letter, resume, references and writing sample to: hr@greatlakes.org.

Include job title in the subject line.

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled – we are looking to fill immediately. Materials should be compatible with Microsoft Word or Adobe Acrobat. Applicants will receive confirmation of receipt of their materials and further guidance and updates about the hiring process by e-mail, with interviews provided for finalists. No phone inquiries please.

About the Alliance for the Great Lakes

The Alliance for the Great Lakes is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The search process will reinforce the Alliance’s belief that achieving diversity requires an enduring commitment to inclusion that must find full expression in our organizational culture, values, norms, and behaviors.

Our mission is to protect, conserve and restore the Great Lakes ensuring healthy water in the lakes and in our communities for all generations of people and wildlife. We advance our mission as advocates for policies that support the lakes and communities, by building the research, analysis and partnerships that motivate action, and by educating and uniting people as a voice for the Great Lakes. Learn more about the Alliance at www.greatlakes.org.

The Alliance envisions a thriving Great Lakes and healthy water that all life can rely on, today and far into the future. ​We aspire to be a voice for the lakes, and to support the voices of the communities that depend on the lakes and their waters.​

The post Individual Giving Manager appeared first on Alliance for the Great Lakes.

Original Article

News – Alliance for the Great Lakes

News – Alliance for the Great Lakes

https://greatlakes.org/2021/10/individual-giving-manager/

Judy Freed

Summary

The Agriculture and Restoration Director (Director) develops and executes campaigns to reduce agricultural water pollution, restore and protect the Great Lakes ecosystem, and stop invasive species. The Director leads work in Wisconsin, Michigan and Ohio to achieve the Alliance’s agriculture and water goals and implements regional restoration initiatives. The Director serves as a convener, organizer and relationship builder at all levels of government and stakeholders with an emphasis on state-level policy.  The Director works collaboratively with staff campaign teams to ensure timely and high-quality delivery of written analysis and recommendations. They identify and strengthen relationships with allies across the Great Lakes region to advance external program and policy priorities. The Director is a public figure for the organization who speaks with authority and diplomacy, is regarded as a regional thought leader on agricultural water issues, and elevates groups and cultivates relationships that further the Alliance’s clean water goals. The Director manages relationships with local and state decision makers, agency staff, businesses, partners, and other high-level individuals across the Great Lakes region. The Director provides counsel to the Alliance vice presidents, COO and president & CEO on state policy work across the region, community engagement, diversity, equity and inclusion, and staff mentorship and growth as they relate to the roles of the position. 

A sample week for the Agriculture and Restoration Director might include:

• Analyzing state legislation related to reducing agricultural runoff into the Great Lakes,
• Convening water partners to explore joint advocacy opportunities and messaging on key water policy issues,
• Delivering a presentation on our work related to agriculture and water policy that outlines challenges and opportunities,
• Participating in webinars to learn more best practices for equitable stakeholder engagement on policy issues, best practices in water management and policy solutions that should be explored in the Great Lakes states,
• Checking in with direct reports on progress on their deliverables and providing feedback, coaching and support in problem-solving.

The initial anticipated external impacts of this position over the next three years are creation and implementation of accountable strategies for reducing agricultural pollution in Lake Erie and Green Bay; initiating construction of new protections against invasive carp entering Lake Michigan; strong regional buy-in for large-scale coastal restoration action and funding. The priority anticipated internal impact is growing the credibility and influence of the Alliance’s agriculture and water policy initiatives with decision makers, the industry and the diversity of stakeholders and partners impacted by agricultural water pollution.

Responsibilities

Strategist

• With the VP of Policy and Strategic Engagement (VP of Policy), sets direction for organizational goals related to agriculture and restoration water policy work across the region with an emphasis on Illinois, Ohio, Michigan and Wisconsin.
• Identifies opportunities to shift both long-term organizational strategy and short-term tactics as necessary to achieve advocacy outcomes in our local work and state level policy work on agriculture and restoration.
• Engages external leaders from relevant sectors as thought partners and advisors in setting Alliance strategy.
• Based on feedback from local partners, identifies data gaps and utilizes internal and external resources to gather information needed with a focus on data that elevates lived experiences (e.g. focus groups, interviews, surveys).
• Presents and reports on the Alliance’s agriculture and restoration work to Alliance leadership and key stakeholders.
• Co-develop campaign strategies to advance policy goals with partners.

Advocacy

• Creates regular short-term policy, organizing and communication successes as we advance toward our long-term goals and is accountable for delivering short-term and long-term results for the Alliance’s agriculture and restoration related work across the region.
• Generates and executes innovative approaches to building and leveraging connections with relevant influencers outside of the traditional environmental community.
• Builds and sustains networks of people, decision makers, and public and private organizations that can create policy change in Illinois, Ohio, Michigan and Wisconsin. 
• Convenes various levels of government, the private sector and groups of individuals in support of the actions necessary to achieve agriculture and restoration goals.
• Creates and negotiates the basis of agreements that can garner sufficient support to advance policy reforms.
• Collaborates with NGO partners and community organizations for candidate and elected official education on agriculture and restoration related water issues, such as through lobby days, legislative staff briefings, and water advocacy workshops and convenings.
• Communicates effectively internally to Communications & Engagement Team to develop mass advocacy campaigns, supporter activation and media engagement on policy priorities.
• Partners with communications and engagement team to support creation of community and partner-centered campaign tools, such as fact sheets, media, videos, and slide decks, needed to reach target audiences.  

Institutional

• Ensures internal milestones for tracking program progress are appropriate and well-documented over time.
• Identifies and recommends long-term capacity needs for agriculture and restoration programs.
• Advises Alliance leaders on increasing the effectiveness of the program.
• Identifies new opportunities for internal collaboration across other Alliance program areas.

Knowledge/Skills

• Leadership ability and experience as demonstrated by a track record of successful problem identification, mentorship, relationship and partnership building, conflict resolution, and strategic decision-making both internal and external to an organization.
• Existing relationships and credibility with leaders in the agriculture sector, including businesses, trade associations, academics, and elected and appointed state officials in Wisconsin, Michigan and Ohio.
• Thought leadership in restoration issues as demonstrated by public presentations, published writing, appointed positions and other means.
• Experience achieving policy agreements that successfully address the needs and concerns of communities bearing the health and economic costs of pollution.
• Demonstrated success at motivating key influencers to act in a coordinated and strategic manner.
• Strong existing network of relevant and influential leaders in areas of geographic focus for the Alliance. 
• Prior demonstrated success at managing multiple, closely aligned and well-coordinated change strategies at the same time.
• Fundamental commitment to socioeconomic and racial equity in agriculture and restoration water outcomes and demonstrated skills in identifying policy options that advance equity.
• Eagerness to work at both the “nuts and bolts” and strategic levels of our policy work.
• Ability to work independently, quickly and execute multiple tasks at once.
• Top echelon skills at writing and speaking to motivate powerful people.
• Staff management and/or mentoring experience.
• Experience with and commitment to use of project management software.
• Driven by a strong commitment to public interest work and the values of the organization.
• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred. Leadership of significant past successful campaigns may substitute for advanced degree.
• Minimum of 7 years of experience culminating in proven leadership of state, regional or national scale advocacy, political or marketing campaigns.
• The Alliance for the Great Lakes values community, relationships, courage, integrity, optimism and the principles of justice, equity, diversity and inclusion in all our work.

Job Parameters

• This position is full-time and consistent with Alliance employment policy. Salary range is $90,000-100,000, commensurate with experience.

• Excellent benefits, including health and vacation are included.

• Eligibility to enroll in a retirement plan after 1 year of employment.

• This position can work remotely based within the Great Lakes region and the final location is negotiable, with a preference for in eastern Wisconsin, southern Michigan or northern Ohio. Travel within the region 1-2 times per month is required, in keeping with anticipated COVID-19 safety protocols.

Application Process

Please e-mail a cover letter, resume, references and writing sample to: hr@greatlakes.org.

Include job title in the subject line.

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled – we are looking to fill immediately. Materials should be compatible with Microsoft Word or Adobe Acrobat. Applicants will receive confirmation of receipt of their materials and further guidance and updates about the hiring process by e-mail, with interviews provided for finalists. No phone inquiries please.

About the Alliance for the Great Lakes

The Alliance for the Great Lakes is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The search process will reinforce the Alliance’s belief that achieving diversity requires an enduring commitment to inclusion that must find full expression in our organizational culture, values, norms, and behaviors.

Our mission is to protect, conserve and restore the Great Lakes ensuring healthy water in the lakes and in our communities for all generations of people and wildlife. We advance our mission as advocates for policies that support the lakes and communities, by building the research, analysis and partnerships that motivate action, and by educating and uniting people as a voice for the Great Lakes. Learn more about the Alliance at www.greatlakes.org.

The Alliance envisions a thriving Great Lakes and healthy water that all life can rely on, today and far into the future. We aspire to be a voice for the lakes, and to support the voices of the communities that depend on the lakes and their waters. 

The post Agriculture and Restoration Director appeared first on Alliance for the Great Lakes.

Original Article

News – Alliance for the Great Lakes

News – Alliance for the Great Lakes

https://greatlakes.org/2021/10/agriculture-and-restoration-director/

Judy Freed