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Chief Policy Officer

10:31:00 AM

Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) is the nation's first and largest group for veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Founded in 2004 by an Iraq veteran, IAVA is a young, dynamic, nonprofit focused on awareness, advocacy and assistance for the 2.4 million men and women returning from Iraq and Afghanistan, with over 200,000 veteran members and grassroots supporters in 50 states.

Over the last 6 years, IAVA has become the leading voice for new veterans in Washington, DC – on the Hill, in the Administration and in the media. We’ve lead and been a part of major legislative victories for new veterans including the Joshua Omvig Suicide Prevention Bill, Post 9/11 GI Bill, Advance Appropriations, New GI Bill 2.0, repeal of “Don’t Ask-Don’t Tell,” and most recently the Vow to Hire Heroes Act. Parallel to our advocacy is our best-in-class research team that produces timely, accurate, and cutting-edge policy research on veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan and their families.

IAVA is seeking a highly effective strategic thinker to lead our DC office as the Chief Policy Officer (CPO). The CPO is responsible for the strategic direction and roadmap of IAVA’s Policy Division. The CPO leads the legislative and research teams, establishes priorities, defines the direction of policy priorities, and mentors the staff to ensure high-quality performance. The CPO is responsible for ensuring that veterans’ issues remain a priority in the political landscape, and that IAVA remains the leading voice for new veterans in DC.

The CPO is a member of IAVA’s senior leadership team and actively collaborates and coordinates efforts with the communications, development, programs and operations leaders. The CPO also maintains high-level relationships in Washington, DC, serves as a public spokesperson for IAVA, leads our annual membership survey, guides our annual Policy Agenda, and provides political guidance to the organization’s senior leadership and Board.

The CPO will report to IAVA’s Chief of Staff.

Responsibilities:

  • Lead and manage a dynamic, motivated and innovative DC office of 6 people.
  • Shape the policy positions of IAVA and, in cooperation with the Executive Director, Chief of Staff and engagement team, craft the messaging that guides IAVA press releases, opinion pieces, testimonies, etc.
  • Represent IAVA effectively with the Administration and with Congress, as well as in the national and local media and at public events.
  • Working with IAVA’s Chief Officers, the CPO is responsible for planning, executing, and ensuring the effectiveness of IAVA’s advocacy strategy. Key projects include:
    • The development of the IAVA Policy Agenda
    • Drafting, fielding, and analyzing IAVA’s surveys of our membership and supporters
    • Guiding planning and implementation of the annual “Storm the Hill” advocacy week for IAVA members from across the country
    • Oversee legislative campaigns on a broad range of issues facing new veterans
    • Oversee and lead the research team in writing and editing IAVA’s issue reports and white papers
  • Coordinate efforts with IAVA’s other departments, housed in IAVA’s New York City headquarters.
  • Maintain the culture and morale of the team and connect them to the IAVA HQ.
  • Ensure that all personnel hired into the Policy department and that all products coming out of the DC office exceed IAVA’s high standards.


Qualifications

Recommended Experience:

  • Extensive leadership, organizational, and strategic-planning experience. An ideal candidate has worked as a manager or director in a policy advocacy, or campaign environment, overseeing a talented and hard-working staff under significant time constraints.
  • Impeccable writing skills and a strong facility with public speaking. The CPO must be able to develop a deep understanding of a policy issue and translate that understanding into a concise message.
  • 5+ years of experience leading a team in the military, political or advocacy environment and/or on Capitol Hill.
  • Expertise in military and veterans’ issues a plus.
  • Advanced degree a plus.
  • Survey design and analysis a plus.
  • Media experience a plus.

Skills Required:

  • Exceptional analytical, political, and strategic thinking.
  • Impeccable writing and editing for numerous audiences, both internal and external to the organization.
  • Excellent project management skills, including the ability to manage tight timelines, simultaneous projects, and internal and external colleagues and teams.
  • Superior research design and implementation skills.
  • Quantitative and qualitative survey design and analysis.
  • Teaching and mentorship.
  • Organizational and management skills.
  • A dedication to quality – perfectionists welcome.
  • A commitment to IAVA’s mission and core values.
  • A sense of humor.

Contact Details

Contact:
Michael Houston
Telephone:
212-982-9699
Email:
hiring@iava.org

Application Instructions

To Apply: Send your resume and cover letter to hiring@iava.org, with your name and “Chief Policy Officer” in the subject line.

Include a cover letter that concisely explains how your experience could be applied to IAVA. Applications without a cover letter will not be considered. No phone calls, please.

IAVA is an equal opportunity employer; VETERANS OF THE CONFLICTS IN IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN ARE HIGHLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY.

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