JOB OVERVIEW
Reporting to the Executive Director, the Policy Director is an experienced professional contributing to the advocacy and policy planning efforts for Cascade Bicycle Club, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and Washington Bikes, a 501(c)(4) nonprofit affiliated with Cascade. The Policy Director leads, manages, and inspires the policy department to support engagement activities involving local and statewide jurisdictions, community members, and business owners/leaders to collaboratively improve lives and communities through bicycling. If you love meeting new people, organizing for better bicycling on a local and state level, and advocating for safer streets, you will thrive in this role!
Under the Policy Director’s supervision, the policy department: (a) effectively deploys technical resources, programming and expertise to improve active transportation policies and infrastructure; (b) builds and develops relationships and – most importantly – partnerships with elected officials, business and civic leaders, allied non-profits, other groups and advocates; (c) develops methods for increasing capacity and effectiveness of advocacy and of advocacy groups at local, regional and state levels; (d) advises on and implements methods for improving the image, influence, and public support for bicycle advocacy statewide; (e) increases political awareness of the economic opportunity and other benefits created by being bicycle-friendly and by growing bicycle tourism; (f) leads policy work based on a bipartisan/nonpartisan philosophy that emphasizes collaboration and partnership; (g) develops and researches best practices and new policies to make safer streets a reality; and (h) listens to all sides to find pathways to make bicycling better for all.
The Policy Director also helps the organizations identify and take advantage of appropriate fundraising opportunities. The Policy Director is a member of the senior leadership team and serves as a representative of the organizations with an expectation to work closely with the Executive Director, the Board(s) of Directors, and other key departmental and organizational staff members.
DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW
The Policy Department works to make it easier and safer for those who bike, and to create new opportunities so that everyone can envision themselves on a bike. Current priorities include advocating for funding that connects communities across the state with high quality bikeway networks and regional trails. Through Washington Bikes (c4), we work to elect bike-friendly leaders as well as pass and implement bike friendly policies and grow investments at the state level. The Policy Director leads the Policy Department and will manage a team of dedicated policy and advocacy professionals as well as oversight over the organization’s contract lobbyist.
CORE RESPONSIBILITIES
Lead Policy Strategy
- define strategies for local, regional and statewide policy implementation
- prioritise policy and advocacy work to ensure critical projects are supported and that work-life balance for team members is ensured
Lead and Manage Policy Team:
- lead, manage and inspire a departmental team including conducting performance reviews and other managerial/administrative tasks.
- develop long-range departmental goals and objectives in line with the Club’s strategic plan;
- complete and manage annual work plans and budgets.
Fosters Partnerships:
- develops methods for increasing capacity and effectiveness of advocacy and of advocacy groups at local, regional and state levels;
- develops structures and processes for input of constituents (e.g., engagement/organizing), advocates, and groups throughout the state for development of the statewide legislative agenda of the combined organization;
- advises on and implementing methods for improving the image, reputation, and public support for bicycle advocacy statewide;
- increases political awareness of the economic opportunity and other benefits created by being bicycle-friendly and by growing bicycle tourism, emphasizes collaboration and partnership;
- leads policy work based on a bipartisan/nonpartisan philosophy that emphasizes collaboration and partnership; and
- develops partnerships with national advocacy and philanthropic community
Works Across the Organization(s) to Leverage Capacity and Opportunities for Better Bicycling:
- engages Rides, Education, Events, and Communications Departments to drive strong policy and advocacy
- works with Executive Director and board, as needed.
ATTRIBUTES NEEDED FOR SUCCESS IN THIS ROLE
- Strong level of professionalism and work ethic.
- High emotional intelligence, self-awareness, empathy, and active listening skills.
- Strong creativity and strategic thinking skills.
- Comfortable with uncertainty and ability to perform well under pressure.
- Embodies a mission-driven attitude with conviction, confidence, and optimism.
QUALIFICATIONS
- 8+ years applicable experience, or combination of experience and education.
- Prior people management experience and serving on a leadership team.
- Knowledge of city and state policies and political climate around transportation policy.
- Influential with stakeholders, volunteers, donors, and constituents.
- Experience working within departmental budget parameters.
- Excellent organizational skills, able to plan ahead, meet deadlines and goals while simultaneously managing multiple projects.
- Advanced written and spoken communication skills. Ability to tell stories with data.
- Ability to travel within Seattle and Eastside 30% of the time via personal vehicle, personal bicycle, and/or public transit to attend offsite meetings with constituents and other policy stakeholders.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience working at an advocacy-oriented organization or in an advocacy-oriented position.
- Advanced political business acumen.
- Interest in or passion for the bicycling industry and cycling community.
- Experience supporting racial, health, mobility, and/or environmental equity and justice programs and outcomes.
SALARY RANGE:
$70,000-$88,000 annuallY. This is a full-time, exempt position.
Due to the large-scale nature of events and their importance to the fiscal well being of Cascade and WA Bikes, staff members are required to work several events a year, a mix of mandatory all-hands events and choice events. This position may also require some evening and weekend work.
BENEFITS
Why should you work for Cascade?
- 100% employer sponsored health, dental, vision, STD, LTD, and Life Insurance coverage for the employee.
- 12 sick days, 10 vacation days (first year), 2 personal holidays, 10 paid federal holidays, and comp time/flexible schedule.
- Office-wide winter recess between December 25 and January 1.
- Matching contributions to a 401(k) after first year of service.
- Cash incentive for commuting by bike or non-single occupancy vehicles.
- Free entry and guest pass on most Cascade rides.
Office Environment & Culture
- Beautiful open office workspace with fresh airflow and bright natural lighting.
- Option to sit or stand with individual, adjustable motorized desks.
- Office is located on the shores of Lake Washington with easy access off the Burke-Gilman Trail.
- Dog-friendly office and family visits welcomed.
- Talented, energetic, and passionate co-workers committed to the Cascade values of Diversity, Respect, Excellence, Balance, and Fun!
- Prime opportunities to perform meaningful work making Washington State a better place for bicycling!
TO APPLY:
Submit a cover letter, resume, and three professional references all in one single PDF document to [email protected] with “Policy Director” in the subject line. Please mention how you heard about this opportunity.
This position is subject to reference checks and the completion of a background check. Cascade will consider qualified applicants for employment pursuant to the Seattle Fair Chance Employment Ordinance and Washington State Fair Chance Act. Position is open until filled.
About The Organizations:
Cascade Bicycle Club, the nation’s largest statewide bicycle nonprofit, is 15,000-members and 40-staff strong, and serves bike riders of all ages and abilities throughout the state of Washington. With a mission to improve lives through bicycling, we teach the joys of bicycling, advocate for safe places to ride, and produce world-class rides and events. Our signature programs include the Seattle to Portland, Connect Puget Sound, Free Group Rides, Basics of Bicycling and the Major Taylor Project. Learn more at cascade.org.
Washington Bikes grows bicycling all across the state of Washington every day. We advocate for bicyclists’ rights, endorse political candidates, and hold officials accountable at every level of government, working with them to shape the policies that will make bicycling a safe, accessible form of transportation, travel and recreation. Through our efforts we increase funding to build and maintain bicycle facilities; provide tools for local advocates to improve their communities; and promote the health, safety, and economic benefits of bicycling. Our work and that of our many partner organizations means more people biking all across Washington, the #1 Bicycle Friendly State in America since 2008. Learn more at WAbikes.org.
Cascade Bicycle Club is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, age, pregnancy, disability, work-related injury, covered veteran status, political ideology, genetic information, marital status, or any other factor that the law protects from employment discrimination. We strongly encourage applications from people who have historically been underrepresented in the bicycle industry, advocacy and nonprofit work.
Employment at Cascade is of an At-Will nature. Approximately 80% of this role is responsible to Cascade Bicycle Club and 20% is responsible to Washington Bikes. Staffing and support for Washington Bikes is governed by an Administrative Services Agreement between the c3 and c4.
Submit a cover letter, resume, and three professional references all in one single PDF document to [email protected] with “Policy Director” in the subject line. Please mention how you heard about this opportunity.
This position is subject to reference checks and the completion of a background check. Cascade will consider qualified applicants for employment pursuant to the Seattle Fair Chance Employment Ordinance and Washington State Fair Chance Act. Position is open until filled.