Los Angeles, California

Inclusive Action for the City is a non-profit, community development financial institution (CDFI) whose mission is to serve underinvested communities and build thriving local economies by improving access to transformative capital, and advancing policy through collaborative research and community-driven advocacy. We envision diverse communities that have equitable and sustained access to resources, and exercise agency over their futures.

Position Overview

Inclusive Action is seeking a Policy Associate Director / Policy Implementation Advisor for its policy advocacy, research, and implementation division to lead large-scale implementation projects with government, non-profit partners, and community members and related advocacy efforts. This person will also create and lead a policy implementation program within Inclusive Action, and oversee and manage large public contracts within it, including a multi-million dollar contract with LA County in support of micro-entrepreneurs. They will also manage advocacy efforts with City and County officials. The role will entail facilitating collaborative meetings, developing civic education materials, and designing community engagement and education programming. We are looking for someone who is experienced in managing public program implementation, writing policy briefs, collaborating with elected officials and public servants, and conducting policy research.

The Policy Associate Director / Policy Implementation Advisor is passionate about Los Angeles and urban communities, infinitely curious, self-directed, and interested in creating and collaborating to achieve economic justice. They recognize the urgency of our work and are ready to challenge the status quo to make political and economic systems work for underinvested communities. This position will report to Inclusive Action’s Policy Director and collaborate with them closely.

This team member will be responsible for:

Policy Implementation & Research

• Creating implementation strategies and plans for large-scale policy implementation projects;

• Tracking legislative processes, including analyzing detailed local, regional, and state-wide policy agendas in relation to our work;

• Designing and drafting policy and research documents, such as technical briefs, reports, position papers, and memos;

• Translating technical information into publicly digestible language in the form of talking points, blogs, social media content, and presentations

• Developing information tools to assist micro-entrepreneurs acquire permits and licenses necessary to expand their businesses;

• Supporting and guiding qualitative and quantitative research on policy issues that are central to Inclusive Action’s mission and in support of policy implementation; and

• Monitoring, synthesizing, and reporting on research and outcomes from other expert organizations in support of key advocacy goals.

Advocacy & Partner Relations

• Facilitating seamless communication between Inclusive Action’s initiatives, as guided by the IAC Economic Justice Platform, and external policy partners:

• Working closely with government leaders, including serving as a senior point of contact for Inclusive Action’s government relations; providing support to government and community partners and developing thoughtful policy solutions alongside them; and working closely with local government leaders to align and act on shared policy priorities;

• Building and maintaining relationships with elected officials and their staff in support of policy advocacy and implementation;

• Creating and maintaining partnerships with other leaders and organizations advancing similar policy issues; and

• Advising organizational partners on the implications of policies for the people we serve, providing logical, well-informed recommendations that inform policy changes.

Project Management

• Overseeing and managing multi-year, multi-million dollar projects to serve underinvested communities;

• Working in and managing cross-sector and multidisciplinary teams, including partners in community engagement, manufacturing, design, organizing, technical assistance, law, and more;

• Designing and facilitating collaborative meetings with government, non-profit, and community partners including developing meeting materials, and collaborative processes and tools; and

• Monitoring project deliverables and budgets, managing subcontracts and project partners, and measuring project impact.

Team Management

• Supervising, coaching, and mentoring direct reports and consultants. This includes:

  • guiding annual work plans based on the organizational strategic plan;

  • advising on policy projects and ensuring goals are met;

  • and supporting the well-being and growth of policy team members, including understanding communication styles and identifying resource needs; and

• Co-designing and implementing internal team infrastructure for collaboration.

Other Support

• Responding to media requests and representing Inclusive Action’s work publicly;

• Assisting in the development of grant and project proposals as necessary;

• Monitoring and evaluation of projects and programs;

• Supporting event coordinating and fundraising activities as necessary; and,

• Other responsibilities may arise as Inclusive Action’s work is dynamic and responsive to the evolving needs of the communities we serve.

Ideal candidates will have the following qualifications:

• Minimum 8 years of relevant experience;

• Minimum 2 years of management experience with FTE staff;

• Experience in implementing complex, large-scale public programs in support of underinvested communities;

• Experience working with local, regional, state, or national governments to successfully advance policy priorities;

• Experience in thoughtful policy implementation that centers communities and their experiences and needs;

• Strong commitment to Inclusive Action’s mission of eliminating economic inequality, reducing the racial wealth gap, and turning community agency into power.

• High emotional intelligence and ability to communicate clearly with institutional and organizational partners, team members, and community members;

• Problem-solver, who is both curious and can comfortably navigate ambiguous and complex situations

• Ability to work in highly collaborative environments;

• Strong verbal and written communication skills;

• Strong project and time management skills;

• Experience and/or interest in economic justice, technical support, and training for micro-entrepreneurs;

• Detail oriented;

• Positive, upbeat attitude that supports Inclusive Action staff and its organizational partners; and

• Strong commitment to Inclusive Action’s mission of eliminating economic inequality, reducing the racial wealth gap, and turning community agency into power.

Compensation

Inclusive Action for the City offers a competitive salary and benefits package. The starting salary for this position is $99,000 - $120,000 dependent on experience. The position also offers full medical, dental, and vision benefits, a 401k retirement plan with 3% matching after one year of work, 18 paid holidays, and up to two weeks of paid vacation a year with an opportunity to accrue more after serving two years with the organization.

To Apply
Please send a cover letter, resume, two writing samples, and three references to work@inclusiveaction.org. Inclusive Action will inform you before they reach out to references. Please make the subject of your email “YOUR NAME – Policy Associate Director/Policy Implementation Advisor”. Deadline to apply is the end of the day on May 19, 2023.

Currently, the Inclusive Action team is working in person at the office 40% of the time and remotely 60% of the time until further notice and all employees must be vaccinated against COVID-19. The physical office is located in Boyle Heights and is available for necessary in-person appointments as well as an optional workspace. All applicants are expected to live in Los Angeles County.