SR ASSOCIATE PUBLIC POLICY in Washington, District of Columbia at Opportunity Finance Network

POSITION SUMMARY AND ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

The Senior Associate, Public Policy is responsible for promoting OFN’s public policy priorities to key audiences. The Senior Associate, Public Policy is responsible for staying current on legislative and regulatory policies impacting the CDFI industry; effectively engages the OFN membership in advocacy activities; represents OFN with federal policy makers, national coalitions, and other ally organizations. The position requires knowledge of the legislative and regulatory process, community and economic development, and strong writing and communication skills.

OFN is the nation’s leading investment intermediary and network CDFIs serving rural, urban, and Native communities across the United States. With over $1 billion in total assets under management, OFN manages a national membership network of over 490 mission-driven lenders and CDFIs, including community development loan funds, credit unions, green banks, community development banks, minority depository institutions, and venture capital funds. OFN is a trusted investment partner to the public, private, and philanthropic sectors – foundations, corporations, banks, government agencies, and others. For more than 40 years, our team has helped partners invest in communities to catalyze change and create economic opportunities for people and places traditional finance doesn’t reach.

To learn more, visit www.ofn.org

• People who work at OFN come from a variety of professional and academic backgrounds. If you have:
• Passion for the mission and true believer in our core purpose.
• Courage to be a fearless advocate who is confident and resilient in our fight to drive capital into low-income communities.
• Smart, quick seekers of knowledge who thrive on creating and developing new strategies, products, and programs for increasing capital to communities we serve.
• Desire to be a collaborative team player who possesses humility and a willingness to lean in all areas of our work.

Come be a part of our growing diverse, highly committed, skilled, and collaborative staff. At OFN, we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive workplace, so if you are excited about this role but your experience does not align perfectly with every qualification, we encourage you to apply nonetheless. You may be the right candidate for this or other roles.

This position is based in Washington, D.C. All staff currently work a hybrid schedule.

Core Responsibilities:

• Communicates OFN’s public policy positions to Members of Congress, Congressional staff, and Administration officials.
• Participates in the development of policy positions, strategies, and execution of tactics to advance OFN’s public policy agenda.
• Develops and maintains close working relationships with a wide range of stake holders, including but not limited to Congressional staff, national coalitions, and ally organizations.
• Interprets, analyzes, and drafts legislative and regulatory policy proposals.
• Monitors relevant legislation and regulations impacting the CDFI industry.
• Develops materials, including position papers and fact sheets, needed to effectively advocate OFN’s policy positions.
• Serves as a subject matter expert in OFN’s policy priorities and works to grow their expertise.
• Coordinate and mobilize member participation in grassroots advocacy efforts.
• Represents OFN at events and meetings related to OFN’s public policy agenda.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree or 5-7 years of direct professional experience in lieu of a degree.
• 3-5 years of direct professional experience such as work in a national organization with an active policy agenda.
• Experience working with federal, state and/or local legislative and regulatory processes required.
• Knowledge of community development finance and economic development policy issues is highly beneficial.
• Excellent analytical, organizational, and written and verbal communication skills.
• Superior interpersonal skills and ability to work constructively with diverse constituents.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate persuasively verbally and in writing.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks independently in an effective and efficient manner.
• Ability to define and set priorities, be self-motivated and take initiative for new projects and departmental needs.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• A strong passion for, understanding of, and commitment to OFN's mission, vision, and values.
• Familiarity with the CDFI industry is strongly preferred, where one can be a fearless advocate who is confident and resilient in OFN's fight to drive capital into low-income communities.
• A collaborative team player who possesses the interpersonal skills to work across all levels of the organization, humility, and a willingness to learn in all areas of our work.
• Be a strong team contributor, effective and comfortable in leading as well as supporting roles within teams.
• Be a smart, quick seeker of knowledge with the ability to think strategically, creatively, and tactically to analyze results and assist in implementing plans.
• Self-starter with superior ability and experience in working with diverse constituents and demonstrated success in driving to win-win outcomes.
• Savvy verbal and written communications skills, judgment, and ability to tailor communications appropriately for wide divergent audiences.
• Ability to understand, create, and modify external communications and publications. Light to moderate travel required (10-15% of time). Job involves normal physical requirements for an office position. No extraordinary physical requirements beyond ability to travel.

EOE

Supervisor: EVP, Chief Public Policy Officer and Head of Government Affairs

FLSA Status: Exempt