Director of Advocacy

Want to make a difference in the big issues facing our country? Join Fahe’s growing team to build the American Dream. We work each day to bring people together in our divided country, build an America where each person can live a good life, and push back against economic stagnation and inequality. Fahe works from Appalachia on these national issues, where our unique collaborative model connects a Network of local, regional, and national leaders. We build up our network’s ability to win, informed by our work on the ground—since our inception in 1980, the Fahe Network has directly served over 687,183 people and made $1.05 billion in direct investments, and achieved a total cumulative financial impact of over 1.6 billion dollars in Appalachia.

The impact achieved by the Fahe boots-on-the-ground Network gives us a nationally-recognized perspective, yet much remains to be done. We seek to hire the Director of Fahe’s growing Policy Advocacy Department, who will orchestrate policy advocacy for our 50 Member organizations spanning Appalachian Maryland to Alabama so that they can achieve the outcomes they want in our communities and region. This critical position will work with smart, dedicated, big-thinking colleagues to take our Network to the next level. In our vision, our communities and economies work—with jobs, choices, and a good life for each of us, in our region and throughout the country. Join us to make it happen.

Envisioned Responsibilities:

Strategy and Narrative

• Direct Fahe’s policy advocacy efforts, including department management, hiring and supervision of staff, strategic planning, and policy advocacy priority setting in consultation with the Fahe Board and executive staff
• Selectively engage on policy while being thoughtful about when we speak and when we should listen
• Contribute to reinforcing Fahe’s overall narrative of building our region within a country where people have good jobs, good choices, and good lives

Policy Advocacy

• Lead on in-depth policy issues and develop national program design of upcoming priorities (ex. a new state level workforce development program)
• Supervise staff to ensure Fahe is abreast of legislative developments
• Advise and provide policy advocacy assistance to Fahe Members to maximize their advocacy at the state and federal levels
• Author and edit policy papers, testimony, comments, and articles that will be released to elected leaders, thought leaders, and the public
• Build relationships with other organizations and represent Fahe at events

Minimum Qualifications

• A belief that people should have a good job, good choices, and a good life—no matter no matter who their family is—and whether they’re born in New York City, Birmingham, Alabama, or Wayne, West Virginia
• Ability to think through, plan and execute on policy advocacy scenarios and issues where Fahe Members have identified they want to win
• At least five years of experience in some combination of legislative/regulatory advocacy, policy, research, communications, media or similar
• Strong communication skills including the ability to clearly and concisely communicate ideas; ability to edit effectively and efficiently; ability to respond effectively to challenging group dynamics
• Experience and skill at building relationships, working on a team, and cultivating collaboration with a diverse group of people
• Experience interacting with Congressional offices, state legislators, federal and state administration officials to put together public policy initiatives
• Experience, willingness, and ability to hire and supervise other policy advocacy staff that develops their best work environment, capabilities, and performance
• Residence in or around Appalachia including Washington, DC
• Post-COVID, ability and flexibility regional travel up to 25%

Desired Qualifications

• Interest/ability to discuss and write about economic structural transitions in our country brought on by technological change, concentration of economic activity, growing inequality in its various forms, public policy and other trends
• Knowledge of Appalachia, its people, and its history is a plus

For the past five years, our staff nominated Fahe as one of the top 100 Best Places to Work in Kentucky. Fahe is an Equal Opportunity Employer seeking applicants who can bring diverse viewpoints, experience, talents and culture to promote our organization’s mission. We offer a diverse work environment with competitive salaries and excellent benefits. Visit www.fahe.org to learn more about Fahe.