Director, Policy & Advocacy

Third Sector New England, Inc. (TSNE) (tsne.org) is working to build a more just, equitable society. We do this by providing capacity building services, consulting and training services, and operational support for hundreds of nonprofits, foundations, community-based groups, and others working for social change. We are partners and colleagues working collaboratively to support areas critical for organizations, including  property management, leadership development and support, finance and accounting, human resources, and organizational development. We live by our values as an organization, and are committed to identifying, including, and valuing the unique skills, perspectives and knowledge of each member of our team.

About our Values:

• Justice - A just society is one in which all people have the dignity, resources, power, and self-determination to fully thrive. We seek to create a more just world in all of our work.
• Progress - We commit our resources, expertise, and energy to delivering high quality support and services that make movement toward a more just world possible.
• Impact - We work collaboratively with others to build the capacity and sustainability of organizations who work toward social good.

The Director of Policy and Advocacy will lead TSNE’s efforts to elevate the voice, influence, and impact of the nonprofit sector within state, regional, and national policy ecosystems. Reporting to the Chief Strategy Officer (CSO), the director will design and implement advocacy strategies, lead coalitions, track policy developments, and guide TSNE’s positioning on issues related to nonprofit infrastructure, equity and racial equity, and civic engagement.

The Director of Policy and Advocacy will have strong experience in advocacy, and significant knowledge of the nonprofit and social service sectors. In partnership with the CSO and the President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), the director will develop and execute TSNE’s advocacy and policy strategy, advocate with policymakers and elected officials, and assist with forming and leading a regional/statewide and national coalition of nonprofit intermediaries and capacity building organizations working on a similar advocacy agenda. In addition, this position will monitor and provide analyses of local, state, and national polices related to nonprofits and the social sector, develop policy briefs and testimony, facilitate and convene strategic policy partnerships, build and maintain relationships with nonprofits, policymakers, and legislators, and work with the communications team to draft editorials, thought pieces, and other informational materials on policies relevant to the sector.

The individual in this role will shape TSNE’s policy agenda in our commitment to centering equity, racial equity, building cross-sector coalitions, and supporting structural change in the social sector. This role will manage interns and contractors as needed with the potential to supervisor full-time policy staff as the department grows.

Essential Functions

Policy and Advocacy

• Lead the design, execution, and evaluation of TSNE’s policy and advocacy agenda of enhancing the impact of the nonprofit sector within state, regional, and national policy ecosystems, ensuring alignment with organizational mission, equity values, and strategic goals.
• Monitor and analyze local, state, and national policy developments relevant to nonprofit organizations, fiscal sponsorship, funding access, and social sector accountability.
• Develop policy briefs, testimony, public comments, and issue reports to influence decision-makers and elevate community-informed solutions.
• Track legislative activity and regulatory changes that impact TSNE’s partners and clients.
• Identify emerging trends and opportunities that impact TSNE’s policy work and broader sectoral influence.
• Working closely with the Chief Strategy Officer and the President and CEO, coordinate TSNE’s leadership role in a statewide nonprofit policy coalition and national network of capacity-building organizations.
• Facilitate strategy sessions, convenings, and collaborative campaigns to advance shared policy priorities.
• In partnership with TSNE Legal Counsel, ensure advocacy activities are in compliance with applicable 501(c)(3) lobbying laws and reporting requirements.
• Collaborate across all TSNE teams and departments to ensure policy and advocacy efforts and learning are integrated into programs, services and external communications.
• Mentor and support staff and partners in policy education and strategy development.

Outreach, Partnerships and Communications

• Build and sustain relationships with strategic partners, including government agencies, philanthropic allies, advocacy groups, and nonprofit leaders.
• Represent TSNE in public forums, media engagements, and external events as a spokesperson and policy expert.
• Develop training curricula and toolkits for nonprofit organizations on advocacy, public policy, and civic engagement.
• Provide individualized coaching and technical assistance to TSNE partners, clients, or fiscally sponsored organizations (FSOs) on advocacy strategy and compliance.
• Co-create advocacy messages and communications strategies in collaboration with TSNE’s Communications team.
• Write and review policy-related content for public release, including blogs, op-eds, testimony, and social media content.

Administrative and Other Responsibilities

• Partner with TSNE’s consulting and learning programs to design and deliver advocacy capacity-building trainings for nonprofit leaders.
• Track impact metrics, maintain records of policy activities, and prepare reports for internal leadership and external funders.
• Participate in organizational planning, staff and leadership meetings and cross-departmental initiatives.
• Manage advocacy budget and support procurement processes for related events and consultants.
• Contribute to fundraising and development efforts through proposal writing, reporting, and donor engagement.

Complete other tasks and projects related to the position, as needed.

Many folks who are impacted by biased professionalism standards, such as women, LGBTQIA+, BIPOC, and individuals with disabilities, tend to only submit an application if they meet every requirement listed. At TSNE, we are always looking for enthusiastic candidates who are the best fit for the role, both culturally and through experience. If you believe you’d be a good addition to our team, we look forward to your application!

• At least 8 years of progressive experience in public policy, advocacy, or public affairs, preferably in the nonprofit, philanthropic, or government sector, with at least 4 years in a leadership or mid-senior-level leadership role.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the legislative and regulatory process at the state and/or national policy systems.
• Experience building and leading coalitions, campaigns, or grassroots organizing initiatives.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including policy writing and persuasive advocacy materials.
• A deep commitment to racial equity, social justice, and sector transformation.
• Ability to translate complex policy concepts for diverse audiences.
• Experience working with or within BIPOC-led community-based organizations.
• Experience with nonprofit sector issues, including funding equity, governance, compliance, and capacity-building strongly preferred.
• Familiarity with fiscal sponsorship models and intermediary organizations strongly preferred.
• Existing relationships with advocacy networks, government officials, and/or movement leaders strongly preferred.

You also believe in and embody our organizational values and the below core competencies:

• Communication – The ability to effectively exchange ideas, concepts, facts, and data with diverse audiences.
• High standard of integrity, ethics, and professionalism – The highest standards of integrity, ethical practices and professionalism are demonstrated in all aspects of work, including interactions with others, decision-making, and the development and delivery of work product. The ability to integrate core values, equity, integrity and accountability throughout all organizational practices.
• Relationship management – The ability to develop and nurture positive, productive relationships with others.
• Collaboration – The ability to collaborate vertically and horizontally throughout the organization and with others.
• Technologically and organizationally functional – Computer skills and demonstrates willingness to learn additional, specific platforms. Also understands and follows the policies and procedures applicable to all staff.

And a strong combination of the following qualifications:

• Soft Skills including exceptional discretion and judgment. Effective verbal and written communication skills with a wide audience. Ability to build productive and successful range of relationships and effectively serve in roles ranging from trusted advisor, teammate, subject matter expert and to coach.
• Demonstrate cultural awareness and some understanding of fostering an inclusive, culturally sensitive, environment. Willing to ask questions, learn, and constructively share and accept feedback. Must be adaptable to a range of audiences and dynamics.
• Just do good work by providing high quality work in fast-paced environment. Strong analytical skills are necessary. Must be flexible and able to manage multiple changing priorities and projects, and be organized and detail oriented. Provide excellent customer service by being on-time and accurate.

Physical Demands/Work Environment

The physical demands described for this position are that of a typical office environment. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions. Ability to sit and/or stand for extended periods of time in front of a computer screen is an essential aspect of the position. There may be a need to lift and/or move materials or equipment.

Location: Work will be performed between our office located at the NonProfit Center at 89 South Street, Suite 700, Boston, MA 02111 and your home office. This position will require you to be on-site for in-person client engagements and some meetings with TSNE staff, funders, and program participants, which may take place outside of the TSNE office and may require to be on-site more regularly with advanced notice.

Schedule: This position is full-time at 37.5 hours per week and hours are flexible within reason.

Compensation and Benefits

Compensation: The salary for this position is $150,700.16 annually, paid bi-weekly at $5,796.16.

Benefits: This position is eligible for a full benefits package including:

• Generous Paid-Time-Off (PTO): twelve paid holidays, three weeks of vacation, one week of personal holiday, and ability to accrue up to 487.5 hours of health leave time for benefited staff.
• 80% Employer-paid, offering some $0 deductible Health Insurance through Harvard Pilgrim along with several low-deductible plans;
• Low-cost Guardian Dental and Vision.
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) for Health and Dependent Care.
• Employer-paid Life, Long- and Short-Term Disability Insurance.
• Employer-paid Pension and Employee-paid 403b plan through TIAA.
• Up to $1,080.00 in annual commuter subsidy
• $10 monthly cell phone stipend.
• No meetings after noon on Fridays.
• ...and more!

TSNE strives to achieve excellence through a diverse, equitable, and inclusive work environment that embraces all of our individual and collective differences. Black, Indigenous, People of Color, Middle Eastern and North African, Bilingual and/or Bicultural candidates, and LGBTQ2SIA+ candidates are encouraged to apply. We value and honor the unique talents, learning styles, and lived experiences of each individual that enrich and strengthen our workplace culture, and we are proud to be an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer.

All employment conditions are based on an individual’s performance and job qualifications. TSNE prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, creed, color, religion, native language, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, national origin, physical or mental disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, parental status, pregnancy, race-based hairstyles, or any other protected characteristic stated by federal and state law. Regardless of any class’ protection under the law or lack thereof, TSNE celebrates diversity and values the strengths that come with having a diverse team of employees. It is represented in our workplace culture, and it is who we are.

TSNE's EEO statement extends to volunteers, interns, contractors, vendors, and clients.