Posted on February 20, 2012

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Vice President, Advocacy and Policy

Founded in 1973, the Ms. Foundation for Women (MFW) is the United States’ first women’s fund. In 2010 MFW made grants totaling approximately $4 million to 150 grassroots, Tribal, state and national organizations that are advancing women’s solutions for social change across the United States. The Foundation’s program areas include health, safety, and economic justice. In addition to grantmaking, MFW works to build the capacity of it grantees and strengthen the women’s movement. Based in Brooklyn, New York, MFW has a staff of 30 and is governed by a board of 14. The Foundation’s endowment, established in 1986, currently stands at nearly $24 million. In 2011, MFW appointed Anika Rahman as President & CEO and completed a strategic planning process.

A key outcome of MFW’s 2011 strategic planning process was the decision to establish MFW as a preeminent thought leader and voice that publicly addresses the range of issues that impact women’s lives. To that end, the Ms. Foundation for Women is creating a new Advocacy and Policy Department whose team will produce analytical, credible and fact-based position analysis, as well as publications and statements that link the Foundation’s grantees’ work to national policymakers and opinion leaders.

Position Summary

The Ms. Foundation for Women currently seeks a Vice President, Advocacy and Policy to build and lead the department and the team. The Vice President of Advocacy and Policy will be responsible for developing an overall national advocacy and policy strategy for MFW based on the recently completed strategic plan; MFW’s strong track record in grantmaking, capacity building and communications; and a thorough understanding of the current political and cultural context. Reporting to the President & CEO, the Vice President will work closely with her and with the Vice President, Grantmaking and Capacity Building to develop and advance the advocacy and policy work; create and lead an Advocacy and Policy team; serve as a key member of the senior management team; be responsible for aligning MFW’s advocacy efforts with the overall strategic plan; and be a key spokesperson for the organization. The position offers a high profile, national platform for a visionary and strategic leader to bring critical women’s perspectives to the forefront of American attention and to advocate for the progressive policies necessary for gender equality.

First Year’s Priorities

During the first year of employment, the Vice President, Advocacy and Policy will be expected to:

• Thoroughly immerse herself/himself in MFW – its mission, philosophy, programs, people, structure and operations, finances, constituencies, organizational culture and values, and potential;
• Establish a solid working partnership with the President & CEO; Vice President, Grantmaking and Capacity Building; Vice President, Marketing and Communications; Vice President, Development; Vice President, Finance and Administration and other members of MFW’s staff in order to bring forth their best ideas and efforts;
• Recruit a team of two to start up the Advocacy and Policy department;
• In collaboration and consultation with MFW staff, grantees and others, set the vision for MFW’s advocacy and policy work; Establish advocacy and policy priorities; Articulate clear benchmarks for progress; Identify the partnerships, strategies and tools to implement these priorities; and develop an implementation plan; and
• Become an effective and visible spokesperson for MFW, increasing awareness of MFW’s advocacy and policy goals and work and broadening MFW’s reputation and visibility among the public, policymakers, elected officials, media, donors, and others.

Ongoing Responsibilities

• Set the vision and strategy for MFW’s advocacy and policy work and ensure a consistent and ambitious drive to achieve gender equality in the United States; Develop and implement short- and long-term plans working closely with MFW staff, grantees, partners, colleagues and others;
• Lead and supervise the Advocacy and Policy Department’s staff, inspiring and supporting them in their work, ensuring a workplace culture of mutual respect and teamwork, and prioritizing training and professional development; Ensure that the Department’s work is innovative, high-impact and strategically focused;
• Serve as a key member of MFW’s senior management team, participating in the development and implementation of policies, strategy, short- and long-term planning, and financial and operational goals and objectives;
• Play a lead role in developing the intellectual leadership of MFW by developing publications, reports, policy briefs and other materials which articulate for popular and expert audiences an evidence-based perspective on the issues of concern to women and develop a framework for addressing structural, gender-based discrimination;
• Maintain relationships with and regularly convene a broad range of organizations who share MFW’s goals, including MFW’s grantees, women’s organizations, civil rights, advocacy, policy, and grassroots organizations; and other allies and stakeholders; Regularly coordinate activities with them, build consensus on key issues, and tap their expertise and knowledge to inform MFW’s policy positions;
• Work closely with MFW’s Marketing and Communications staff to disseminate publications, advance policy reform and advocacy efforts to target key decision makers and the public, and identify appropriate new media channels for engaging existing and new audiences; Regularly serve as a key spokesperson for MFW in a variety of forums;
• Work closely with the Development Department to cultivate relationships with current supporters, reach out to individual donors, and build upon MFW’s base of support; and
• Work with the President & CEO and Vice President, Finance and Administration to develop an annual departmental budget; Approve and monitor program expenses.

Ideal Experience

• Significant experience as a dedicated and passionate advocate for women’s equality, including at least ten years’ experience in a nonprofit, governmental, legal, political, academic or journalistic organization;
• Proven ability to engage effectively in strategic planning and to set priorities; Able to think broadly and conceptually;
• A successful track record as an innovative problem solver and collaborator, including experience using an array of strategies for change including advocacy, research, policy reform, litigation, and strategic communications; Experience leading advocacy coalitions is desirable;
• An outstanding relationship builder with existing ties to a broad and diverse range of communities; Proven successful experience working in a variety of diverse contexts and communities with the ability to interact professionally and thoughtfully with a wide array of people, and a record of success as a positive and high energy leader;
• Excellent oral and written communication skills; Excellent analytical ability, particularly around policy and legislation; And an appreciation and understanding of the power of linking advocacy and policy with grantmaking and strategic communications; Experience communicating through traditional and new media is valuable; and
• Credibility and experience to connect MFW to resources and opportunities outside the organization; Experience raising money from a variety of sources, including major donors and foundations, is highly desirable.
• A Bachelor’s degree is a minimum requirement; a law degree or advanced degree in a relevant discipline is preferred.

Personal Characteristics

• A catalyst with vision who can create excitement and energy around MFW’s advocacy and policy work, ensure that its work is widely known and understood, and encourage others to support its goals; Persuasive, persistent, and creative in the pursuit of MFW’s goals;
• A team builder, able to delegate and prioritize multiple activities and responsibilities; One who inspires collaboration, functions decisively, and treats people fairly; One who understands the subtleties of motivating, directing and working with diverse, strong, independent personalities and work styles;
• An outstanding relationship builder with the integrity, maturity, confidence, wisdom and the collaborative skills necessary to work effectively with MFW’s staff, grantees, board, funders, and other constituencies;
• A highly skilled communicator and a keen listener, with a high degree of emotional intelligence; and
• Emotionally mature and self-confident, with a sense of humor and a creative spirit.

Application Instructions

To apply for the position, please submit a substantive cover letter and current resume to:

Lauren I. Gumbs
Senior Partner
Gumbs + Partners

lgumbs@gumbspartners.com

The Ms. Foundation is an equal opportunity employer and considers all applications without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, disability, socio-economic status, marital or veteran status, or sexual orientation.