Director of Government Relations

About the role

Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin, Inc. (PPWI) provides quality, affordable health care services, comprehensive education, and strong advocacy to over 50,000 patients annually across 18 health centers statewide. As a leader on the External Affairs team, the Director of Strategic Advocacy and Government Relations shapes public policy to advance reproductive health, rights, and justice in Wisconsin. This full-time (40 hours/week) position is based at the Doty Street Administration Office in Madison, WI, with occasional evening/weekend hours and statewide travel required.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the registered lobbyist for the organization.
• Lead development and execution of state and local legislative strategies aligned with the organization’s policy agenda, strategic plan, and mission.
• Draft testimony, support letters, position papers, and talking points to advance PPWI legislative and political priorities.
• Research policy issues and recommend organizational positions.
• Serve as lead staff member to ensure collaborative decision-making on policy and legislative priorities.
• Lead and execute accountability efforts, ensuring broad stakeholder education and support of policy wins, and ongoing engagement when policy agendas are unsuccessful.
• Ensure compliance with lobbying, ethics, and campaign finance rules.
• Monitor advocacy outcomes and report to leadership and partners.
• Build strong relationships with elected officials, administrative agencies, and staff; act as a resource on issues related to PPWI’s work.
• Represent PPWI at coalition meetings and with community partners to build power to advance the policy agenda.
• Collaborate internally across departments and with the External Affairs team to develop policy recommendations and legislative strategies for comprehensive sexual and reproductive health care in Wisconsin.
• Serve as a key partner to the Director of Organizing to align organizing strategies with legislative strategy.
• Strengthen partnerships with community leaders and advocacy groups.
• Develop strategies that integrate grassroots organizing and policy advocacy.
• Represent the organization in coalitions and community forums.
• Understand partner priorities and identify opportunities for cross-movement collaboration.
• Serve on the External Affairs Leadership Team to align strategies.
• Coordinate with Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) and coalitions to connect state and national strategies.
• Act as spokesperson and policy expert on reproductive health and justice.
• Ensure compliance with nonprofit, campaign finance, and lobbying regulations.
• Track and evaluate results, reporting to boards and leadership.

Requirements

• Commitment to providing excellent customer service and supporting the vision and values of Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin.
• Demonstrated experience with diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging through political campaigns, community organizing, and/or civic engagement work.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills to explain public policy issues to staff, elected officials, government administrators, and organizational leaders.
• Knowledge of legislative and regulatory processes, with ability to communicate about them clearly.
• In-depth knowledge of Wisconsin’s reproductive health care delivery system, state and federal policy landscape, and the needs of underserved or marginalized communities.
• Proven success in organizing communities into action, legislative strategy, coalition-building, and issue advocacy at the state or local level.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Bill Tracker.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required in Public Policy, Political Science, Government Affairs, Nonprofit Management, or related field; Master’s degree preferred.
• 7 years of progressive experience in government relations and policy advocacy (equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered).
• Demonstrated supervisory experience, including interviewing, hiring, training, planning/assigning/directing work, performance appraisal, rewarding/disciplining employees, and addressing complaints.

Benefits

• Company contribution toward medical insurance deductible
• Generous Paid Time Off
• 12 Days of Holiday Pay
• Immediate 401(k) Vesting with up to 6% company contribution
• Paid Parental Leave
• Tuition Assistance
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program

Pay

Starting salary from $87,006 per year. Additional $1.50 per hour for bilingual (English/Spanish) proficiency. Starting offers are determined by applicable experience and internal equity.

Schedule

Full-time, 40 hours per week. Occasional evening and/or weekend hours may be necessary. Statewide travel required; valid driver’s license, auto insurance meeting agency liability standards, and reliable transportation are required.

Physical Requirements

• Predominantly sedentary with intermittent standing and walking (15% or less of a typical week)
• Repetitive motions of hands and wrists related to typing and mouse use
• Holding, grasping, and/or gripping objects
• Kneeling, stooping, crawling
• Pushing/pulling
• Close vision reading, speaking, hearing
• May require lifting and/or carrying objects up to 25 pounds

Working Conditions

• Office environment with occasional interruptions and normal noise levels
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions
• Statewide travel required