Work for WABA: Advocacy Director
The Washington Area Bicyclist Association (WABA) seeks a creative, innovative and effective Advocacy Director to achieve the advocacy goals of the organization outlined in WABA’s forthcoming Strategic Plan and Advocacy Priorities. The Advocacy Director will build and lead a team of staff advocacy organizers and our extensive volunteer grassroots advocacy network. WABA advocacy focuses on expanding the bicycling network and making the streets safer for people who bike.
The Advocacy Director is a high-profile representative of the organization to the public and media, and is expected to work closely with the Board of Directors, the Executive Director and other key organizational staff to achieve WABA’s advocacy goals.
The ideal candidate must love biking, share WABA’s vision for better biking in the region, and enjoy a working in a fast-paced environment.
Job Responsibilities
- Lead, manage and inspire a growing advocacy team, including conducting performance reviews and other managerial/administrative tasks.
- With input from staff and Advocacy Committee of Board of Directors, set advocacy department’s annual work plan, consistent with the organization’s mission and new strategic plan.
- Develop, execute and win transportation infrastructure, policy and legislative campaigns as outlined in the WABA Strategic Plan.
- Develop WABA’s networks and relationships with other non-profits, businesses, elected public officials, governmental agencies and community leaders
- Track major projects, public budgets and campaigns that involve or impact bicycling and prioritize effective organizational involvement.
- Serve as the organizational representative to the media on advocacy issues.
- Contribute to the organization’s fundraising and development efforts to grow advocacy capacity through membership growth, donation solicitation and grant writing.
- Demonstrated management experience including leading a team, strategic planning and capacity building.
- Proven ability to supervise, mentor, motivate and appraise employees.
- Experience advocating for change in a complex environment.
- Knowledge of, and enthusiasm for, Washington region politics.
- Experience with 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) organizations, PACs and the legal restrictions of each.
- Must be able to write clearly and persuasively.
- Highly organized, self-motivated and able to work closely with others.
- Experience working in diverse communities and on diverse teams of staff and volunteers.
- Bachelor Degree in communication, public policy, urban planning, transportation, political science, or related field.
- Legal degree desired, though not required.