Job: Director of Policy, Planning and Government Affairs – Cascade Bicycle Club

Company/Organization
Cascade Bicycle Club

Job Description
ORGANIZATION INFORMATION
Founded in 1970, Cascade Bicycle Club is a 4,000+ member nonprofit organization based in Seattle, Washington, dedicated to creating better communities through bicycling. Focusing on four strategic goals (Engagement, Community partnership, Infrastructure, and Presence),
Cascade envisions a community that bicycles–where bicycling is normal, safe and convenient for everyone. Cascade is a local, regional and statewide leader in advocating for bicycle policy and infrastructure, producing world-class cycling events, educating youth and adult cyclists, offering 1,300 free daily rides annually, and promoting bicycle commuting. Cascade is directed by an elected volunteer board and operates with 28 paid staff and thousands of volunteers. For more information, visit www.cascade.org. to view this posting visit http://cascade.org/about/pdf/PPGA-Director_2012.pdf

POSITION GOALS
Cascade’s Policy, Planning and Government Affairs Department focuses on significantly expanding and improving infrastructure that facilitates safe and convenient bicycling. The Director oversees all departmental planning and program implementation and its adherence to the Club’s strategic plan. The Director manages department staff and works with them to catalyze region-wide community support, investments and policies to achieve these goals. He/she also helps the organization identify and take advantage of appropriate fundraising opportunities. Under the Director’s supervision, the department is charged with increasing Cascade’s political and community presence in Seattle, throughout a four-county region and statewide by (a) effectively managing and deploying technical resources, programming and expertise to influence non-motorized policies and infrastructure; (b) building and developing
relationships with elected officials, business and civic leaders, allied non-profits and others; and
(c) recruiting, organizing and mobilizing activists, volunteers and like-minded organizations. The
Director is a high-profile representative of the organization and is expected to work closely with
the Board of Directors, the Executive Director, and other key departmental and organizational staff to achieve these goals.

I. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
A. Leadership, Oversight and Management
• 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 in line with long-range planning.
• Build a cohesive and productive team via departmental hires and contracts, meetings, retreats, workshops, trainings, etc.
• Participate as a member of the Club’s legislative committee to develop and achieve a state legislative agenda and a successful political endorsements process.
• Provide overall organizational leadership as a member of the Club’s staff Leadership Team and participate on other committees and taskforces as appropriate.
• Keep up-to-date on relevant research and activities related to transportation policy and planning.
• Perform other duties necessary to develop, implement and manage the department and to achieve departmental and organizational goals.

B. External Representation and Responsibilities
• Represent Cascade to external audiences.
• Provide professional political leadership, expertise and training for advocacy campaigns, volunteers, coalitions and networks as appropriate.
• Develop Cascade’s networks and relationships with other non-profits, businesses, elected public officials, funders, governmental agencies and community leaders to further Cascade’s mission and vision.
• Ensure Cascade representation on appropriate advisory boards, councils and committees.
• Develop relationships with myriad media outlets and regularly represent and message Cascade’s mission, vision and policy positions on a variety of complex issues.
• Ensure departmental work and resources meet professional standards and are widely accessible.
• Track major projects and campaigns that involve or impact bicycling and prioritize effective organizational involvement.
• Contribute to and manage departmental communications to members and constituents, the community at-large, decision makers and others, in conjunction with Cascade’s Communications, Marketing and Outreach Department.
• Identify, cultivate and steward relationships with funders (foundation, corporate and major donors) in collaboration with the Development Department. This will include participation in solicitation meetings.

II. REQUIRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE
• 7-10 years of nonprofit management experience leading a team or an organization.
• Demonstrated skill and leadership in team building, managing organizational
operations, strategic planning and capacity building.
• Proven ability to supervise, mentor, motivate, appraise, and work with employees.
• Experience in transportation policy, non-motorized preferred, or closely related field.
• Sophisticated knowledge of government affairs and processes related to achieving policy change.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with and lobby elected officials, governmental agencies, corporations, community leaders, community organizations, etc.
• In-depth knowledge and insights regarding Washington State politics and/or national
transportation policies (both preferred).
• Experience developing, leading and executing grassroots advocacy and electoral campaigns.
• Demonstrated ability in strategic planning, political communications and working with coalitions.
• Experience working with and being an organizational representative to the media and funders.
• Commitment to bicycle advocacy and non-motorized transportation.
• Ability and interest in working in a collaborative team environment.
• Excellent organizational skills including ability to manage multiple projects and prioritize departmental-wide work plans.
• Superior written and oral communication skills.
• Excellent organizational skills including ability to: (a) manage multiple projects; (b) work accurately under deadline; and (c) plan, coordinate, implement and assess the effectiveness of programs.

III. DESIRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE
• Proficient in online communications and new media tools.
• Experience with 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) organizations and PACs and the legal requirements and restrictions on each.

IV. EMPLOYMENT SPECIFICS
• Full-time, salaried position with some evening, weekend and off-site work required.
• Reports to and is supervised by the Executive Director.
• Six-month probationary performance review.
• An at-will position with annual performance reviews at hire date.
• Competitive compensation package commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Cascade Bicycle Club is committed to equal opportunity in employment and promotion for all qualified persons without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, military or veteran status, the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability, pregnancy and childbirth, family responsibilities, or any other basis protected by applicable laws, regulations, or guidelines relating to discrimination in employment.