Climate & Environmental Justice Policy Director

About Hip Hop Caucus

Formed in 2004, the Hip Hop Caucus (HHC) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that leverages Hip Hop culture to encourage young people to participate in the democratic process. Through a collaborative leadership network, HHC addresses core issues affecting underserved communities. HHC programs and campaigns support solution-driven community organizing led by today’s young leaders.

Our mission is to use the power of our cultural expression to empower communities who are first and worst impacted by injustice. Our members, as well as our dedicated national team, span the country and globe. We are multiracial and we center our work in communities of color. We span Gen Z, Millennials, and Gen X, and we come from diverse backgrounds and experiences. Our vision is for racial justice, healthy communities, and a healthy planet.

Throughout our history, HHC has mobilized hundreds of thousands of young BIPOC voters across seven election cycles, produced HOME (Heal Our Mother Earth) – the first climate album to move over 60,000 people to action in support of the Clean Power Plan in 2014, and led the first protest in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina and continually partnered with local organizations for annual commemorations.

In 2021, our community took over 2.1M actions on climate justice with Think 100% including petition signatures, EPA comments, event participation, social media post engagement, and more. We played an influential role as a national partner to the local Memphis community in the cancellation of the Byhalia Pipeline. We also raised and distributed $100,000 in direct relief to families affected by Hurricane Ida across 12 parishes in Louisiana.

Our Respect My Vote! Campaign developed a free resource for people with a felony record and their loved ones to check their eligibility to vote based on state legislation; since its launch, the tool has been used over 100,000 times. In 2022, we completed two successful voter registration and mobilization tours, mobilized 375,000 Black voters to the polls, and contacted 750,000 people ahead of the midterm elections. 

Our breadth of accomplishments reflect our principled approach to organizing, advocacy, and campaigning. HHC pioneers culture and narrative to expand our impact, shows up with direct relief and continued solidarity with communities being harmed by systemic injustices, and builds nonpartisan democracy by engaging voters year round.

As an institution built by and for people and communities of color, we are rooted firmly in the belief that racial justice and climate justice are interwoven. 

For more information on Hip Hop Caucus, please visit hiphopcaucus.org.

The Opportunity

HHC is seeking its next Climate and Environmental Justice Policy Director (Policy Director). Reporting to the Think 100% Associate Senior Director, the Policy Director will be responsible for leading the development and implementation of a robust and ambitious climate justice and environmental justice policy agenda that aligns with HHC’s mission. The Policy Director will lead on policy, coalitions, and government relations to proactively monitor, manage, and maintain the HHC’s relationships at federal, state, and local levels, and will manage a Think 100% Policy Manager.

Policy and Advocacy Leadership

• Determine climate and environmental justice legislative priorities and implement a legislative strategy in collaboration with the Senior Director of Campaigns & Advocacy and the Think 100% Associate Senior Director
• Advocate for the organization’s position externally through meetings with lawmakers, position papers, public testimony, grassroots efforts, coalition work, and other effective advocacy methods
• Communicate the organization’s priorities internally with essential staff and partners
• Coordinate legislative, Administration, federal agency, and state-based strategies with policy team members focused on HHC’s other issue areas, finding intersectional solutions when possible and ensuring strategic relationship management with policymakers and coalition partners
• Partner with the Campaigns and Digital departments to design opportune and strategic grassroots lobbying calls to actions in support of HHC’s agenda
• Center principles of race, equity, and justice in all policy design and advocacy
• Manage the Think 100% Policy Manager

Research and Impact Measurement

• Lead research and analysis on climate justice and environmental justice policy issues and regulations to inform climate justice and environmental justice policy positions and trends
• Direct and/or coordinate the establishment, measurement, and evaluation of climate justice and environmental justice policy outcomes
• Identify developing issues of note or concern and counsel leadership and staff regarding potential advocacy or other needed actions
• Manage all lobbying compliance reporting as necessary

Communications

• Prepare, review, and edit research memos, briefs, reports, projects, and presentations in a variety of formats to engage a diverse range of constituents independently or in collaboration with other departments, such as Storytelling and Communications, when appropriate
• As necessary, act as HHC’s spokesperson on climate justice and environmental justice policy matters for the media and for multimedia platforms
• Provide talking points or other materials to brief, educate, and train fellow team members, volunteers, and supporters on HHC’s climate justice and environmental justice policy platforms

External Relations

• Cultivate and manage relationships with key elected and appointed officials, policy makers, and related governmental bodies and leaders
• Build and co-facilitate national coalitions and collaborations of cross sector partners, community members, and advocates to identify opportunities for climate justice and environmental justice policy wins and systems improvements
• Represent HHC in coalitions and partner campaigns

Candidate Profile

The Climate and Environmental Justice Policy Director must be a persuasive advocate who is passionate about driving action and impact through policy. The ideal candidate will have an extensive background in developing and launching complex and impact-focused policy efforts in the climate justice and environmental justice space. The Policy Director must be a flexible and dynamic change agent who is excited about the extensive opportunities (and understands the potential challenges) that come with leading climate justice and environmental justice policy efforts within a unique environment like HHC.

The following offers an aspirational view of the ideal candidate profile; we encourage applications from candidates with a wide range of experiences and backgrounds, especially those from underrepresented groups.

The ideal candidate will have the following professional and personal qualities, skills, and characteristics:

• 5+ years of professional experience in policy and advocacy; experience in climate justice and/or environmental justice preferred
• Knowledge of public policy and grassroots organizing
• High political acumen with a thorough understanding of the decision-making processes of executive and legislative branches of government at the federal and/or state level, and familiarity with international climate policy and negotiations
• Experience working with elected officials, community leaders, industry associations, and corporate executives
• Management experience
• A proven record of accomplishment in advancing and promoting important issues through third party advocates who share a common vision and goal
• Demonstrated ability to successfully lead and manage multiple projects
• Relationship-building skills, with experience working with or managing coalitions preferred
• Strong public speaking and writing skills, with the ability to synthesize complex information on various platforms
• High level of cultural competence and experience working across cultures is essential; deep understanding of and experience engaging with multicultural or BIPOC communities of young people (Gen Z, Millennials, Gen X)
• Demonstrated commitment to social and racial justice and a passion for HHC’s mission
• Willingness to travel up to 20%

Compensation & Benefits

The salary range for this role is $110,000-$135,000, and the final salary will be based on experience and qualifications. HHC also offers a comprehensive benefits package. The HHC team has a remote culture, with physical offices in Los Angeles, CA and Washington, DC. This opportunity is location-flexible, with a strong preference for candidates based in Washington, DC.

Contact

Koya Partners, the executive search firm that specializes in mission-driven search, has been exclusively retained for this engagement, which is being led by Molly Brennan, Meghan Franklin, and Dina Tyler. Please submit a compelling cover letter and resume by filling out our Talent Profile.

Koya Partners is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals living with disabilities. If you are a qualified individual living with a disability and need assistance expressing interest online, please email NonprofitSearchOps@divsearch.com. If you are selected for an interview, you will receive additional information regarding how to request an accommodation for the interview process.

Hip Hop Caucus is an equal opportunity employer. HHC prohibits unlawful discrimination against any employee or applicant for employment based on race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, age, national origin, genetic characteristics, disability, status as a special disabled veteran or veteran, marital status, sexual orientation, sexual identity, or any other basis prohibited by law.

About Koya Partners

Koya Partners, a part of Diversified Search Group, is a leading executive search and strategic advising firm dedicated to connecting exceptionally talented people with mission-driven clients. Our founding philosophy—The Right Person in the Right Place Can Change the World—guides our work as we partner with nonprofits and NGOs, institutions of higher education, responsible businesses, and social enterprises in local communities and around the world.

For more information about Koya Partners, visit diversifiedsearchgroup.com/koya-partners/.