Strategic Relations Coordinator

Disability Rights Tennessee (DRT) is looking for a Strategic Relations Coordinator who can build strong connections across Tennessee and help coordinate our agency efforts in the following ways:  

• Connect with people with disabilities, family members, partners, and policymakers throughout Tennessee; 

• Strengthen strategic partnerships and community engagement that advance DRT’s mission; 

• Work with DRT’s legal team to help provide education to policymakers about issues affecting Tennesseans with disabilities and/or mental illness; and 
• Use clear, responsive data to inform decision makers about input from the disability community, tell the story of DRT’s work, and support ongoing partnership goals. 

Please include a cover letter explaining your interest in this role and your qualifications. Resumes submitted without a cover letter will not be considered. 

 

Who We Are 

DRT is a nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting the rights of Tennesseans with disabilities.  DRT is the designated Protection and Advocacy System (P&A) and Client Assistance Program (CAP) for Tennessee.  For over 45 years, our agency has served more than 57,000 Tennesseans. DRT is funded through federal grants, state contracts, private donations, and grants.  DRT has eleven programs which provide services across the state and across issues. To learn more about DRT, visit us at DisabilityRightsTN.org or on social media. 

 

What You’ll Do 

Building Relationships and Outreach 

• Help connect community input to DRT’s work. 

• Build and maintain relationships with people with disabilities, people with mental illness, family members, partners, caregivers, advocacy groups, and other stakeholders across Tennessee. 

• Coordinate DRT engagement in community meetings, events, and partner groups. 

Educating Policymakers 

• Coordinate DRT’s work to educate policymakers. 

• Coordinate DRT engagement in disability and mental health policy groups.  

• Participate in ongoing professional development related to policy efforts.  

Communications and Educations 

• Works with communication specialist and legal staff to create education materials for the community. 

• Help create strategic partnership content for newsletters, blogs, social media, reports, videos, etc.  

• With communications and legal staff develop education opportunities for the DRT team.  

Keeping Work on Track 

• Meet with DRT leaders to coordinate work and share updates. 

• Help turn program information into clear grant reports. 

• Keep accurate records and data for reports. 

• Follow DRT’s lobbying rules and help staff understand them. 

 

Keys to Success 

A strong candidate will bring these skills, values, and strengths: 

• Understanding of how laws and public policy are developed. 

• Knowledge or experience in disability, mental health, or related advocacy work. 

• Strong research, analysis, and problem-solving skills. 

• Good judgment and attention to detail. 

• Strong organization and time management. 

• Self-motivation and comfort working independently in different settings. 

• Comfort using Microsoft Word, Teams, Outlook, and other common business tools. 

• Ability to learn new software and case management systems quickly. 

• A collaborative approach and interest in helping teams stay connected. 

• Clear communication and professional representation of DRT. 

• Commitment to DRT’s mission and values. 

 

What Else You Should Know:  

• Education requirements are flexible. A related degree is preferred in law, marketing, communications, public policy, social work, human services, or a similar field.  

• Nonprofit experience is preferred. 

• This is a full-time position at 37.5 hours per week, with some flexibility in the daily schedule. The person in this role must be able to be at Cordell Hull in Nashville during legislative session. 

• This position includes both remote and in-office work. 

• This position primarily serves Middle Tennessee and may require travel across the state. 

• The person hired must live in Middle Tennessee, within 60 miles of DRT’s Nashville office. 

• Regular in-state travel is required and may average about 40% of the work month. A valid driver’s license, reliable transportation, and current insurance are required. 

• Reliable home internet is required. 

• DRT will provide the needed technology and equipment. 

• Remote work may be allowed when travel is not needed. 

 

The salary for this position starts at $54,500. Final salary is based on experience, education, certifications, and language skills. DRT offers excellent benefits, including a flexible schedule, remote work options, parental leave, paid federal and state holidays, 401K, FSA, and medical, vision, dental, life, and disability insurance. 

 

DRT does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service or other non-merit factor. We make all employment decisions based on business needs, qualifications, and individual merit.