Public affairs specialist Jobs in Columbia, MO

Planned Parenthood Great Plains Legislative Affairs And Organizing Manager (Missouri)

Planned Parenthood Great Plains has provided access to sexual and reproductive health care since 1935. The high-quality, expert, and compassionate care we provide is shown through our empathetic and supportive staff members. Past challenges, and those we face today, have served only to solidify PPGP's commitment to our patients and the community. We continue to reflect on the progress we have made over the last eight decades and look forward to continuing our efforts to secure a world of informed reproductive freedom. Join our dedicated team and "Care. No matter what."

Planned Parenthood Great Plains (PPGP) Legislative Affairs and Organizing Manager (Missouri) serves as the primary strategist and lead for advocacy, legislative, organizing, and electoral efforts in Missouri, while also supporting broader policy and civic engagement priorities across the affiliate's multi-state region. Working under the direction of the Vice President of Policy and Advocacy, this role develops and executes legislative advocacy, issue- and candidate-based civic engagement, coalition partnerships, state PAC activities, and supporter engagement strategies. The role builds and maintains strong relationships with legislators and state agencies, represents PPGP/PPGPV in sexual and reproductive health and other progressive coalitions, and advances the organization's policy and electoral goals.

The Legislative Affairs & Organizing Manager acts as PPGPV's registered lobbyist in Missouri, supervises Missouri organizers, and ensures alignment between in-state priorities and affiliate-wide strategy. The position plays a key role in the organization's Public Affairs team working cross-functionally with Development, Volunteers and Communications teams to support fundraising, special events, and integrated advocacy efforts. Success in this role requires collaborative leadership, political acumen, and the ability to advance complex advocacy goals while building strong relationships with key stakeholders.

Responsibilities

Legislative Advocacy & Policy Leadership

• Develops and leads legislative advocacy, organizing, and state-level communications for Missouri in coordination with other Planned Parenthood departments and/or coalition groups. Monitors local, state and federal legislative or regulatory actions that impact the delivery of services.
• Builds and maintains relationships with legislative members and staff, state regulatory agencies, lobbyists, consultants, and local level office holders.
• Serves as the in-state lobbyist and oversees additional lobbying efforts on behalf of the organization's 501c4, Planned Parenthood Great Plains Votes (PPGPVotes), and coordinates closely with partners including in-state sister affiliate, Planned Parenthood Great Rivers (PPGR) in joint lobbying efforts aimed at preserving access to PP's delivery of health services.
• Remains informed on bill status and legislative strategy with regular updates to VP of Policy and Advocacy and extended executive leadership.
• Supervises and supports the Missouri organizer and fellows.
• Guides strategy for testimony, including drafting and providing in-person testimony for key bills, coordinating coalition and constituent testimony, and communicating with external affairs team for action alerts and mobilization.
• Serves as a trusted source of local political and policy knowledge within the affiliate and with partners.
• Serves as lead liaison to in-state advocacy-focused community and coalition partners. Works to build strong relationships with allied organizations and develop organizing staff to do the same.
• Directs the development of grassroots lobbying activities in the capitol, including coalition lobby days and smaller scale affiliate grassroots contacts with legislators.
• Manages constituency organizing in-state in close coordination with Constituency Program Leads, if applicable.
• With staff organizers, directly recruits volunteers and community partners for advocacy events, working closely with Volunteer Manager to engage supporters in Public Affairs work.
• Adheres to current 501(c)(3) and 501(c)4 IRS and PPFA guidelines and keeps internal teams informed; leads the affiliate wide training as necessary.
• Supports development efforts related to Public Affairs projects and activities; and prepares relevant grant reports as required by funders.
• Oversees accurate and timely reporting of all PPGPV staff time and expenses to the Finance department per IRS guidelines.
• Maintains familiarity and compliance with all state and local lobbying reporting requirements. Maintains consistent reporting of electoral, lobbying and PAC activities as directed.

Electoral Strategy & Campaign Execution

• Ensures the successful implementation of electoral strategies. Including but not limited to year-round advocacy events, tabling opportunities, and voter engagement rallies and in-state PAC fundraisers.
• Coordinates people and resources, manages expectations, and oversees tasks.
• Maintains current and accurate files, tracks affiliate activity to provide regular reports, and monitors work-related financial expenditures. Tracks progress, measures performance, and adapts project plans if needed.
• Fosters meaningful collaborations aimed at improving the lives of patients served by Planned Parenthood and enhance their ability to access reproductive health information and care, with a priority on supporting health equity efforts for historically underserved and/or under-resourced populations.
• Collaborates closely with staff leadership and affiliate partners on the candidate endorsement process.
• Manages the in-state lobbying and electoral compliance in partnership with General Counsel.
• Develops and maintains expertise in use of the Voter Activation Network and ensures consistent, accurate, and timely reporting in the VAN.
• Fosters collaboration and resolves conflict. Debriefs and evaluates each campaign. Works as a team player in a high-pressure work environment.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Experience and Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree (B.A.) from four-year college or university, 3-5 years related electoral or advocacy/organizing experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Prior direct lobbying experience strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated proficiency in project management of legislative, electoral, organizing, or other public affairs campaigns.
• Strong interpersonal skills, and adept in managing conflict and crisis creatively and keeping teams moving towards results.
• Required track record of creating and maintaining strong work relationships with a diverse set of colleagues.
• Strong communicator who can show progress towards goals to audiences and through diverse channels.
• Ability to identify priorities, work independently, and develop solutions for addressing issues or requests.
• Passionate about the Planned Parenthood mission.
• Working knowledge of voter databases (specifically VAN) is preferred.

Competencies

Adapting and Developing

Growth Mindset: People with a growth mindset believe that they can improve their skills and knowledge with effort, which they can apply to improving the organization's patient care, financial performance and KPIs. They are more likely to see challenges as opportunities to learn and grow.

Feedback: Regularly gives and receives feedback to improve individual, team, and organizational performance in a manner that creates a culture of trust.

Resilience: Capacity to remain flexible in thoughts, feelings, and behaviors when faced with disruptions, or extended periods of pressure, in order to emerge from difficulty stronger, wiser, and more able.

Effective Execution

Initiative : Takes proactive steps to improve personal, team, and organizational performance within the bounds of policies and procedures without waiting for direction.

Analyzes Problems and Identifies Solutions: Uses critical thinking to assess challenges, consider diverse perspectives, and develop practical solutions.

Leadership

Coaches and Develops Talent: Shares experience, provides constructive feedback, and encourages reflection to maximize performance and realize potential. Coaches, trains, and guides team members to foster learning and personal growth.

Motivate Others: Conveys a sense of purpose and enthusiasm that engages others and creates an environment where people are inspired to do their best.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion : Demonstrates a commitment to equity and inclusion through observable behaviors, setting the example for others, and participating in affiliate initiatives. Engages in personal and professional development on issues related to diversity, equity and inclusion.

Promotes Teamwork

Lifts People Up: Encourages and empowers colleagues, fostering a positive and collaborative environment.

Collaborates with Others: Works effectively with others to achieve shared goals through communication, valuing diverse perspectives, and contributing to collective success.

Fosters Communication: Promotes open, honest communication to ensure clarity, trust, and alignment toward shared goals.

Sets the Example

Personal Accountability: Takes responsibility for actions, decisions, and performance to ensure reliability and support team success. Acknowledges mistakes and takes steps to resolve them. Follows through on commitments to colleagues and patients.

Demonstrates Integrity: Values and attends to