Director of Advocacy

Job Description

Job Description

Job Description

Job Title: Director of Advocacy

Reports to: Vice President of Community Impact and Innovation

Direct Report(s): None

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Job Location: 70 Corporate Woods Drive, Bridgeton, MO 63044

Position Summary

The Director of Advocacy serves as a strategic leader responsible for advancing the mission of the St. Louis Area Foodbank (SLAFB) through nonpartisan public policy, community engagement, and systems advocacy efforts. This role develops and executes a comprehensive, issue-focused advocacy strategy grounded in community needs and evidence, focused on increasing awareness of hunger-related issues, strengthening partnerships, and influencing policies that improve equitable access to food and essential resources across the bi-state region.

The Director of Advocacy acts as a key liaison between the SLAFB, elected officials, government agencies, community partners, and advocacy coalitions to ensure the voices and experiences of individuals facing food insecurity are represented in policy discussions and decision-making processes. The Director must maintain a nonpartisan approach in all duties and organizational representation, advancing the Foodbank's mission independently of personal political views or party interests.

Key Responsibilities

Advocacy & Public Policy Leadership

• Develop and implement a nonpartisan, issue-focused advocacy agenda aligned with the mission and long-term goals of the SLAFB
• Monitor legislation, regulations, and policy trends impacting hunger relief, food security, nutrition assistance, and social services
• Analyze emerging policy issues and provide strategic recommendations to organizational leadership
• Represent the SLAFB in meetings with elected officials, government agencies, coalitions, and community stakeholders with professionalism, diplomacy, credibility, and a consistent nonpartisan approach
• Draft factual, nonpartisan policy briefs, testimony, advocacy materials, and public statements that clearly communicate complex issues to diverse audiences without supporting or opposing candidates for elective public office
• Ensure advocacy activities comply with applicable requirements for 501(c)(3) organizations, including the prohibition on political campaign intervention and applicable lobbying limits. Coordinate with leadership to obtain appropriate review and maintain required activity and expense records; do not use the Foodbank's name, resources, or platforms to support or oppose candidates or political parties.

Government & Community Relations

• Build and maintain collaborative relationships with local, state, and federal policymakers across political affiliations, partner agencies, and community leaders
• Serve as a trusted organizational representative and thought partner on advocacy and public policy matters
• Foster meaningful partnerships and community engagement efforts that strengthen regional advocacy initiatives and collective impact strategies

Coalition Building & Strategic Partnerships

• Lead or actively participate in regional and statewide hunger, nutrition, and anti-poverty coalitions while ensuring the SLAFB's participation remains mission-aligned and nonpartisan
• Collaborate across nonprofit, healthcare, education, and faith-based sectors to advance shared advocacy priorities
• Facilitate coalition-building efforts that encourage collaboration, unified messaging, and equitable community solutions

Public Awareness & Communications

• Partner with Marketing & Communications to develop nonpartisan, issue-focused advocacy campaigns, public education initiatives, and strategic messaging
• Support media engagement efforts related to hunger policy, food insecurity, and public awareness initiatives
• Promote ethical and impactful storytelling that elevates the voices and experiences of neighbors and communities served by the SLAFB
• Communicate policy priorities and advocacy initiatives in a clear, compelling, and audience-appropriate manner

Data, Research & Impact

• Utilize food insecurity data, program outcomes, and community research to inform advocacy priorities and strategic decision-making
• Translate complex policy and research findings into accessible insights for policymakers, partners, and the public
• Evaluate advocacy initiatives and identify opportunities to strengthen organizational and community impact through data-informed approaches

Leadership & Organizational Strategy

• Advise executive leadership on advocacy opportunities, legislative risks, and emerging policy trends, including potential concerns related to nonpartisanship and nonprofit advocacy compliance
• Contribute to organizational strategic planning and long-term impact initiatives
• Foster cross-functional collaboration to align advocacy efforts with organizational priorities and community needs
• Support advocacy-related consultants, interns, volunteers, or collaborative initiatives as applicable while promoting a mission-driven, nonpartisan, and partnership-focused environment

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Public Policy, Political Science, Social Work, Communications, Nonprofit Leadership, or a related field required; Master's degree preferred
• Seven (7)+ years of experience in advocacy, government relations, public policy, nonprofit leadership, or a related field
• Strong understanding of federal and state safety net programs, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP)
• Demonstrated experience building constructive relationships with elected officials across political affiliations, government agencies, and community stakeholders
• Exceptional written, verbal, interpersonal, and public speaking communication skills
• Ability to analyze policy issues objectively and communicate complex information clearly to diverse audiences
• Required commitment to carrying out all responsibilities in a nonpartisan manner, exercising sound judgment and maintaining professional relationships across political viewpoints. Ability to keep personal political views and activities separate from the Foodbank's advocacy, communications, and organizational representation.
• Working knowledge of requirements governing advocacy by 501(c)(3) organizations, including political campaign restrictions and applicable lobbying limits.

Preferred

• Experience within food banking, hunger relief, or human services organizations
• Established relationships with Missouri and Illinois policymakers, coalitions, or advocacy networks
• Experience leading coalition-building initiatives or nonpartisan, issue-focused statewide advocacy campaigns

Work Schedule

This role follows a Monday through Friday schedule during standard business hours and is primarily onsite to support collaboration and operations. As an eligible position under our Remote Work policy, this role offers the flexibility to work remotely up to two days per week after 90 days of employment. Occasional evening and weekend hours may be required to support events and community engagement activities.

This position may require frequent travel throughout the St. Louis bi-state region and occasional state or national travel. Flexibility to attend evening, early morning, or occasional weekend meetings, legislative sessions, community events, and advocacy engagements is required

Work Environment

The St. Louis Area Foodbank operates on a dynamic, single-campus environment that brings together our office spaces, warehouse, Volunteer Center, and Agency Dock-all in one location. Work is primarily performed in a professional office setting, with extended periods of sitting, computer use, and communication. This integrated environment offers regular interaction across teams, community partners, and mission-driven operations, with occasional exposure to active operational areas, including forklift activity.

The role requires frequent movement throughout the campus, including walking between spaces and on concrete surfaces, as well as occasional standing, bending, and reaching as needed. Occasional lifting, carrying, pushing, or pulling of up to 20 pounds may be required. Frequent interaction occurs in person, by phone, and through virtual platforms.

The Impact You'll Make

At the St. Louis Area Foodbank, every role contributes to building a stronger bi-state region by nourishing people, empowering communities, and transforming systems. Guided by our EPIC values- Empower, People-Centric, Integrity, and Courage -we show up each day committed to making a meaningful difference for those we serve and for one another.

Working alongside nearly 600 hunger-relief partners, we help provide food and support to more than 400,000 people each year across 26 counties in Missouri and Illinois. As the region's leading organization in food distribution and hunger relief, we act with integrity to strengthen the network of agencies and programs addressing hunger, and we have the courage to challenge the status quo in pursuit of greater impact. When you join our team, you become part of a mission-driven organization where you are empowered to contribute your skills, ideas, and passion to create lasting change throughout the region

What We Can Offer You

At the St. Louis Area Foodbank, we lead with a people-centric approach, ensuring dignity and compassion are at the heart of every interaction and decision. Our commitment to culture is reflected through employee-led groups like our Culture Workgroup and the Employee Experience Committee (Employee Engagement, Social Responsibility, and Health and Wellness Sub-Committees). At the Foodbank, voices are heard, ideas are valued, and continuous improvement is part of how we work together.

In addition to meaningful work that supports our community, we offer a competitive total rewards package designed to support you both professionally and personally, including:

• Competitive pay based on experience
• Generous paid time off (PTO), including PTO, floating holidays, a birthday holiday, volunteer time off, and summer early release days
• 403(b) retirement plan with company match
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Company-paid life insurance
• Short-term disability coverage
• Opportunities for professional growth and development

Social Responsibility Statement

You are welcome at the St. Louis Area Foodbank (SLAFB) for who you are. At the SLAFB, we strive to empower our team to embrace and celebrate who they are. We cultivate a fair work environment that fosters belonging and respects and values people with varied backgrounds, demographics, identities and disabilities. Doing so strengthens our organization, cultivates a culture where everyone feels valued and can bring their best selves to the SLAFB. This enables us to nourish people, empower communities, and transform systems. At the SLAFB, we cultivate a respectful and empowered workplace that embraces a broad range of lived experiences and viewpoints. We are committed to building a team that reflects the neighbors and communities we serve in the bi-state region to enhance engagement and connectivity with all key stakeholders.

This job description does not list all the duties of the job. Performance of other duties may be requested. Evaluations will be in part based upon performance of the tasks listed in this job description. St. Louis Area Foodbank has the right to revise this job description at any time. The job description is not an employment contract.