Reports to: Executive Director
Work Schedule: Full Time
Exempt Status: FLSA Exempt

ABOUT ARTS FOR LA

Arts for LA activates artists and organizations, and leads communities to advocate for an equitable, healthy, and creative Los Angeles region.

DESCRIPTION

AFLA seeks a Director of Public Policy & Advocacy to help lead strategy and positioning on arts and culture issues. This position will be responsible for developing AFLA’s annual policy agenda and policy priorities that further organizational goals. He/she/they will lead government affairs strategy and help develop advocacy campaigns with an eye towards advancing AFLA policy agenda at the local level. He/she/they will also build critical relationships with stakeholders of AFLA to advance policy values and priorities pertaining to arts and culture.

The ideal candidate has a strong background in policy and legislative advocacy, as well as demonstrated experience building productive relationships with key stakeholders. He/she/they will also have excellent analytical skills with an ability to think critically and write effectively. An understanding of and commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion are critical to the success of this role, and candidates should be prepared to articulate how they will approach policy analysis and development with an equity lens. The position is an opportunity to serve as the resident policy expert for an influential public policy and advocacy organization.

RESPONSIBILITIES

●  Develop the organization’s annual policy agenda and supporting advocacy strategies to move those policies forward.
●  Lead policy development on arts and culture issues. Assist with data analysis, research projects and author policy reports, issue briefs, and fact sheets that analyze arts and culture policy issues affecting artists, arts organizations and cultural communities.
●  Manage day-to-day government affairs on arts and culture issues for the policy department, including rapid response analysis of bills and policy proposals. Build and maintain relationships with City Council and County staff, administrative staff, and other policymakers, and represent AFLA in meetings and communications to advance our policy agenda.
●  Support efforts to coordinate arts and culture policy and advocacy efforts/campaigns across the Los Angeles County region.
●  Represent the organization at external events, including coalition meetings, to foster our external relationships and collaborate strategically with partners.
●  Serve as an on-record spokesperson for AFLA on arts and culture policy at events, in official statements, and in the media.
●  Support the development of arts and culture issue advocacy trainings and consumer education materials.
●  Contribute to the development of arts and culture related fundraising proposals and execute policy grant deliverables as necessary.
●  Supervise policy interns and seasonal staff, with the potential to manage additional staff members in the future.

REQUIRED SKILLS
●  Five to seven years of relevant experience in policy and politics, experience can be across different issue areas
●  Knowledge of local and state policy preferred.
●  Excellent research and writing ability, including an existing portfolio of policy materials
●  Experience successfully leading legislative advocacy campaigns
●  Experience managing projects with multiple teams and competing priorities
●  Experience building and managing relationships with external partners
●  State, County or City experience preferred. Should have existing relationships with policy stakeholders
●  Willingness to register as a lobbyist

PREFERRED, BUT NOT REQUIRED SKILLS
●  experience with non profit board management
●  awareness of Los Angeles arts community and local government structures
●  experience with social media outreach

COMPENSATION
●  Starting salary range: $65,000
●  Benefits include: health, vision, dental care and vacation.

HOW TO APPLY
Applications close July 7, 2021 11:59pm. Submit resume, cover letter, writing sample (i.e. policy agenda, communications sample, research and/or policy reports and 3 references to info@artsforla.org with the subject line: “Director of Public Policy and Advocacy Position.”

Arts for LA is an equal employment opportunity employer and strongly encourages diverse candidates to apply. Arts for LA does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, sex (including pregnancy), gender, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, medical condition including genetic characteristics, mental or physical disability, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, (including transgender status), weight, height, linguistic characteristics (such as accent and limited English proficiency, where not substantially job-related), citizenship status, or any other basis prohibited by law.