Job Description

Are you passionate about driving social change and advancing equity? Do you have a proven track record in advocacy, community engagement, and leadership? kpCompanies is leading the search for the next Director of Advocacy, Community Engagement, & Equity for the Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation. This is a highly visible leadership role, responsible for advancing the Foundation’s advocacy strategies, fostering strong community relationships, and promoting equity initiatives across the region. The Director will work closely with key stakeholders, including the grantmaking team, legislative bodies, and community organizations to drive impactful change and support the Foundation’s mission.

Please note: The Foundation envisions this role evolving over time and that the successful candidate will hold the position for a tenure of no more than 7 years.

We welcome you and thank you for taking the time to review this job posting.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES
Advocacy & Policy Engagement:

• Play a key role, in collaboration with Foundation leaders, in defining, developing, implementing, and iterating the Foundation’s “advocate for equity” strategy. Utilize several advocacy levers including policy advocacy, lobbying, convening, research, and media in alignment with the strategy. Drive narrative change and leverage the Foundation’s voice as a critical component of the strategy.
• Support the implementation of the Foundation’s 2025 policy agenda (approved by the board’s Community Impact Committee at the end of 2024) and engage multiple stakeholders in the development of future years’ policy agenda.
• Periodically serve as representative or spokesperson for the Foundation on select advocacy issues. 
• Participate in collaborative efforts with other foundations, nonprofits, and government entities to advance impact on select strategic plan outcomes. 
• Serve as analyst and advisor to AVP, VP, and other colleagues on public policy matters.

Community Engagement & Equity:

• Play a leadership role in designing approach to and preparing team for implementation of participatory/community-led grantmaking.
• Lead the design and implementation of a Community Impact team community engagement framework including approach, outcomes, and metrics. Develop consistent team practice around 1:1 community relationships, organizational relationships, and convening strategy. 
• Collaborate across the CI team to support equitable approaches to grantmaking.
• Collaborate with the Director of Grantmaking and Program Officers in identifying and supporting community efforts to advance equity. 
• Play leadership role in implementing select equity programs including:
  • Countering Hate – efforts to change narrative and dismantle a hierarchy of human value
  • Art in this Present Moment – elevate artists and culture bearers advancing racially just narrative change
  • Facing Race Awards – annual award for anti-racism advocates in Minnesota

Grantmaking & Community Initiatives:

• Collaborate with VP and AVP to develop and implement grantmaking focused on supporting durable social change infrastructure to advance equity in the East Metro and across Minnesota.
• Partner with Director of Grantmaking to ensure successful annual grantmaking processes.
• Maintain a small portfolio of grant partners as needed.
• Provide strategic and administrative leadership for select community initiatives and special projects, including fundraising, grantmaking, relationship-building and budget and contract management. 

Team Leadership & Development:

• In collaboration with the AVP of community impact, motivate and lead grantmaking staff to ensure a positive and collaborative environment. 
• Contribute to strategic discussions across Foundation departments to identify synergies inside and outside the Foundation to advance and inspire statewide generosity. 
• Demonstrate core organizational values in performing all duties. 

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
We recognize that skill sets can be a complex combination of experiences. Even if your background does not exactly match these requirements but you have a passion for our work, we would love to hear from you and we recognize the value of transferable skills.

Education:

• No degree is required.

Experience:

• Minimum of five (5) years of leadership experience in public policy, advocacy, campaigns, community engagement, community organizing, philanthropy, or a related field.
• Previous management experience is required, with experience effectively managing across lines of difference and fostering an inclusive team culture.
• Familiarity with and ability to implement models, frameworks, theories, practices related to philanthropy’s role in using advocacy and engagement to advance equity.
• A commitment to disrupting racism and other forms of oppression in the field of philanthropy and to building a more just, equitable sector.
• Track record of innovation and success in advocacy, community engagement, program design, and implementation, and/or philanthropy. 
• An exceptional ability to listen deeply and synthesize complex information.
• Excellent storytelling skills. This may include public speaking, community organizing, or writing reports, case studies, blogs, or other materials.
• Ability to learn complex financials and budgets and creatively leverage to meet goals. 
• Confidence and competence in learning and using existing and new technologies. 
• Demonstrated ability to effectively and proactively interact, communicate, and collaborate on multidisciplinary teams and with people from cultural backgrounds other than your own. 

Other required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Experience in legislative advocacy and a deep understanding of the political landscape in Minnesota.
• Demonstrated commitment to equity and inclusion.
• Ability to engage and inspire a wide range of stakeholders.
• Ability to navigate ambiguity and lead with vision in a new and evolving role.
• Strategic thinker with a proactive approach to problem-solving and the ability to drive change in a complex environment.
• Reliable transportation to travel throughout the metro area as needed.

How to Apply

Job Categories: Equal Opportunities. Job Types: Full-Time. Salaries: 100,000 and above.

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