Policy & Advocacy Director

The mission of the San Diego Food System Alliance ("the Alliance") is to cultivate a healthy, sustainable, and just food system in San Diego County. The Alliance is a diverse and inclusive network that works across sectors to promote collaboration, influence policy, and catalyze transformation in the food system. Our work is grounded in our shared platform, San Diego County Food Vision 2030 (Food Vision 2030), and is informed by the experience and expertise of our network and the broader community. Together, we are working to cultivate justice, fight climate change, and build resilience in our food system. More details about the Alliance are in our Operating Strategy .
Position Summary
The San Diego Food System Alliance is seeking an experienced candidate to join our team as the Policy & Advocacy Director, a new leadership role in the organization. The Policy & Advocacy Director will oversee the execution and growth of the Alliance's policy advocacy work, in partnership with our expansive network of community partners. They will lead the development of a strategic policy agenda and oversee the execution of innovative and high-impact policy campaigns to move San Diego County Food Vision 2030 forward. Working alongside the Network & Advocacy Manager, the Policy & Advocacy Director will lead the development of a community-led policy advocacy approach along with key network partners, as well as food policy leadership and field building initiatives.

A successful candidate will be a thoughtful, creative, compassionate, and dynamic leader. Self-motivation, strong leadership and management skills, excellent writing and communication skills, relationship-building skills, flexibility, attention to detail, and the ability to successfully manage rapid change are essential to this position. The ideal candidate should have at least five years of nonprofit or government experience focused on key social, environmental, and racial justice issues with several years in a leadership role. The Policy & Advocacy Director will demonstrate a deep commitment to the Alliance Statement on Justice and its mission of cultivating a healthy, sustainable, and just food system in San Diego County. This person plays a critical role in nurturing positive culture-building around the Alliance values: respect, inclusivity, collaboration, community, prosperity, health, sustainability, and justice.
Core Responsibilities

• Lead the development and implementation of the Food Vision 2030 policy agenda and advocacy strategy, cultivating meaningful relationships with the Alliance network of partners and communities they serve
• Design and manage innovative and high-impact policy campaigns, building and facilitating diverse and effective coalitions
• Develop strong relationships with politicians and senior agency leadership with key public agencies, primarily City, County, and State levels, building influence and expanding the network of Food Vision 2030 champions
• Conduct policy analysis and develop compelling policy briefs and communication tools for various audiences, working in partnership with communications and research teams
• Develop and oversee plans to build out a community-led policy advocacy approach along with network partners, as well as food policy leadership and field building initiatives
• Proactively contribute to business and organizational development efforts to sustain and grow the Alliance policy advocacy work
• Support other Alliance operations functions as needed
• Serve as an ambassador for the Alliance and its values

Education, Experience, and Skills

• Bachelor's degree or higher, or equivalent experience
• 5+ years of nonprofit or government experience focused on key social, environmental, and racial justice issues with several years in a leadership role
• Experience and deep understanding of public systems, policy, and various advocacy approaches including grasstops and grassroots
• Proven track record of success leading high-impact, innovative policy advocacy campaigns
• Highly organized and ability to juggle many projects simultaneously
• Exceptional written, oral, interpersonal, and presentation skills
• Strong relationship-building skills and ability to coach and support team and network

Primary office space in downtown East Village but flexible to work from home when needed and other co-work space locations (La Jolla, Encinitas, etc). Work is generally sedentary in nature, but requires moving around for up to 30% of the time and occasional lifting up to 30lbs. Requires reliable access to transportation throughout San Diego County for meetings and events.
Compensation
This is a full-time role at $70k - $75k starting salary, depending on background and experience. Benefits include paid vacation, sick leave, health insurance, dental insurance, and a SIMPLE IRA match program.
How to Apply
Please submit a resume, cover letter, professional references, and a writing sample to jobs@sdfsa.org . In your cover letter, please describe your past experiences and/or efforts to advance justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion. Applications lacking any of the aforementioned documents will not be considered. (Subject: Policy & Advocacy Director)

Application Due Date: Sept 10, 2021

The San Diego Food System Alliance is committed to creating a diverse environment, and is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. All applications will be considered regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, age, sex, disability, veteran status, or gender.

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