Policy Director

Invest STL is expanding its team and hiring its first Policy Director. The position focuses on Invest STL’s policy piloting and advocacy agenda and leads our Policy Design + Activation Team, who convene thought leadership and identify, try, evaluate and facilitate innovative ideas as potential interventions for systemic issues facing predominantly Black neighborhoods. We are seeking an experienced leader in community and economic development-related applied research and model building to direct and steward the next phase of our policy work. 

Applications will be accepted through October 4, 2026.

Background

Invest STL facilitates investment in the power of people and their neighborhoods to create communities of justice and opportunity in places that continue to endure the legacy of systemic anti-Black racism. We seek to do this by generating trust-based, community-driven, neighborhood-based investments; investing in the regional community and economic development system; influencing policies and decision-making that advance equitable development; and reframing prevailing narratives in our region about predominantly Black neighborhoods and the people, power, challenges and dreams that they hold. Catch a glimpse of who we are and how we work here .

Reporting to the CEO and serving as a member of our leadership team, the Policy Director will supervise Policy team staff members and will leverage a deep understanding of systemic community and economic development challenges affecting Black neighborhoods to drive our piloting and advocacy agendas and approaches. In coalition with relevant stakeholders—including leaders from grassroots, movement, public, academic, and capital sectors—the Policy Director will be responsible for leading ongoing initiatives and exploration of new models for place-based wealth- and power-building that can be scaled for system adoption to prevent displacement and support existing communities to flourish in place.

This is a great opportunity for a community leader who cares deeply about creating a just and thriving St. Louis and building precedence for similar communities around the country. You will have the opportunity to help expand the impact of a well-respected and growing organization; to develop and implement a bold policy strategy for systems change; and to cultivate and grow a team of dedicated professionals. 

Position Responsibilities

Policy Strategy and Leadership

• Collaborate with community and economic development and community partners to identify policy priorities and opportunities.

• Monitor and analyze local, regional, and national policy trends and developments that impact Invest STL’s work and intended outcomes.

• Develop and lead implementation of policy piloting and advocacy agendas and approaches that align with Invest STL’s mission and goals.

• Convene multi-stakeholder coalitions, direct research analysis, and guide strategic planning to help design new policy-related ideas and interventions. 

• Lift up observations and learnings from investee partners to inform Invest STL's priorities and activities for regional policy recommendations and advocacy to advance equitable neighborhood development.

• Develop and maintain relationships with policymakers and influencers, community leaders, and advocacy organizations.

Policy/Practice Design, Piloting + Embedding

• Convene and work with local and national stakeholders to develop potential policy solutions that address systemic challenges to wealth, well-being, staying in place and power building in predominantly Black neighborhoods.

• Guide piloting staff from concept development through implementation and evaluation

• Oversee the selection and deliverables of third-party evaluators

• Oversee the production of research reports, briefs, data visualizations and other materials that translate complex data and learnings into clear, actionable policy/practice recommendations for scaling, replication and adoption 

• Collaborating with the Narrative + Communications team, ensure policy learnings and guidance are effectively communicated to internal and external audiences.

• Design and steward our strategy to move concepts from proof points to system adoption

• Design and oversee tracking of progress towards our policy agenda and related organizational 20-year outcomes

Policy Advocacy 

• Oversee design and implementation of our policy advocacy framework

• In partnership with advocacy staff, inform and recommend Invest STL’s position and role on policy issues intersecting with neighborhood development and quality of life

• Guide advocacy staff in promoting and carrying out actions that align with our policy positions

• Provide thought partnership and strategic advising for key program partners and national coalitions, leveraging Invest STL’s findings, strategies and insights.

Inform System Investments + Neighborhood Investing

• Lifting up observations and learnings from our policy lens, inform Invest STL's priorities and activities for regional community and economic development system and neighborhood investments to advance equitable neighborhood development.

Team Management + Development

• Lead the Policy Design + Activation team and its day-to-day functions, including the development of annual work plans and priorities, setting workflow and team processes, allocating division of labor, developing and implementing work team budget, and staff development.

• Promote a culture of intention, creativity, and excellence rooted in learning and iterating for growth.

• Observe and develop staff using a supportive and collaborative approach on a consistent basis, identifying learning needs and opportunities for the Policy team members to advance the quality, innovation, and efficacy of the Policy work.

• Direct the planning and delivery of projects and initiatives related to policy and advocacy as guided by the approved policy and advocacy agendas.

• Train and support the Policy team in adopting and implementing organizational and team-specific project management practices and upholding our community agreements.

Other Duties 

• Be available for occasional night and weekend work with investees and partners.

• Contribute to building out the culture of Invest STL in collaboration with the team.

• Serve as a thought partner by representing and speaking on Invest STL’s approach and policy work in panels, conferences, and other knowledge-sharing settings.

• Inform and contribute to Invest STL’s evolving ways of working and commitment to embracing our guiding principles and community agreements—and calling us in when intent and impact are not aligned.

• Carry out special projects as organizational needs and individual interest/expertise align.

Critical Qualities

The chosen candidate will have a notable track record of leading policy strategy development and implementation and building coalitions or convening stakeholders from different fields in service of a shared research or policy agenda. To start, the candidate will possess these critical qualities: 

• Operational understanding of and commitment to racial equity and justice.

• Track record of planning, launching, and managing new initiatives or projects. 

• Demonstrated ability to build and sustain working relationships with policymakers, community leaders, and advocacy organizations.

• Experience as both an effective strategic and innovative thinker while being able to translate strategy into actionable plans and output

• Demonstrable experience as an effective meeting and process facilitator for complex topics and circumstances involving a diverse set of perspectives and participants who are not always aligned on priorities.

• Excellent research, writing, and communication skills to express complex ideas in compelling ways, both written and verbally, with the ability to adapt to various audiences.

• Stamina and will to endeavor in work where success isn’t instantaneous or absolute but progresses over time with small but meaningful gains that you can build on.

• Strong self-awareness of how you show up with others.

• Firm understanding of your personal boundaries for maintaining a work-life balance that is healthy for you and supports you consistently meeting the expectations of the role. 

• Demonstrated ability to exercise sound judgment, initiative, and tact when interacting with colleagues, our community, partners and elected officials. 

• Experience building, mentoring, and coaching a team; ability to engage and influence direct and indirect reports and peers.

Desired Qualifications

Additionally, we are seeking out candidates with some combination of these qualifications:

• In many cases, at least 7 years serving in a paid, full-time capacity in a political, policy design/development, movement building, advocacy, public administration, applied research or similar capacity, with at least 5 of those years in a leadership role with direct reports.

• High proficiency in data analysis and interpretation, urban metrics, and systemic equity frameworks.

• Background in leading policy and advocacy work at the national, state or local level.

• Leadership experience in coalition or movement building.

• Experience managing consultants and agreed upon scopes of work.

• Advanced education or training in Urban Planning, Public Policy, Economics, Sociology, Real Estate or a closely related social science field is heavily preferred.

• A deep lived and/or learned understanding of St. Louis' socioeconomic landscape, historical racial, economic and spatial disparities is desired, though candidates outside of St. Louis with experience in similar communities are strongly encouraged to apply and will be supported in their local learning if hired.

Finally, we are seeking out candidates that are competent in and have the mindset for:

• Fulfilling Invest STL’s mission and vision for the St. Louis region

• Being a proactive and resourceful problem solver and motivated vs. halted by complexity in systems, relationships, and work products

• Building relationships with humility, leading with a listening and learning posture, and operating with discretion

• Engaging productively and with grace in a team environment

Compensation and Benefits

Currently, the salary range for this full-time position is $106,000 - 121,900. The starting salary range is $106,000 - 120,310. To support pay equity, the starting salary offer will be our highest and best offer based on experience, qualifications, and record of achievement, without negotiations. Relocation support may be considered for candidates outside of the St. Louis MSA.

Administered through Engage, benefits include but are not limited to the following:

• Unlimited PTO, 10 standard holidays and an additional 2-week Winter Holiday Break, and 12 weeks paid parental leave;

• 100% Medical, vision, and dental coverage for employees and 50% for dependents; 

• 100% employer paid basic life/AD&D, short-term disability insurance coverage; 

• A 401(k)-retirement plan with a 100% match on the first 4% of pay, immediately vested;

• A profit-sharing model of 2.5% of salary, vested over 6 years;

• A Healthcare Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and a Health Savings Account (HSA); 

• The Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Commuter Benefits Program, and wellness perk; and

• Individual professional development and technology budget

Job Location/Working Conditions:

This is a position that operates primarily in an office setting and regularly interacts with colleagues, community partners, vendors, and other stakeholders. The work generally takes place during standard business hours, with occasional early morning, evening, or weekend commitments for meetings, community events, or organizational activities.The position may also require occasional local travel for meetings, site visits, community events, and other organizational activities. 

The position requires the ability to:

• Spend extended periods working at a computer and using standard office technology.

• Communicate regularly by phone, email, video conference, and in person.

• Attend meetings and events both in the office and at community or partner locations.

• Occasionally move throughout an office or event space and transport or carry light materials and equipment.

• Adapt to changing priorities, schedules, and organizational needs.

Reasonable accommodations will be provided to qualified individuals with disabilities to enable them to perform the essential functions of the position. 

Team Culture

We are a growing team transitioning from startup to standout. We do our best, and sometimes we fall short. We aim to be thoughtful and courageous in our work. We relish a work environment that inspires and supports us to grow personally and professionally. We understand that our work, which we are deeply committed to, is but one component of our multifaceted lives.

We maintain a hybrid work schedule, operating from our office, homes, and elsewhere as the work permits. We meet as a full team in person on Thursdays. We are a highly collaborative team. Our culture is best suited for team members who are able to receive direction on work scope and expectations, then enjoy having the space to design, manage, and be accountable for their own approach to meeting expectations within an agreed upon timeline. We use Trello, Google Workspace, Outlook, and Teams to manage workflows and progress towards quarterly and annual work plans.

Application and Additional Information

Applications will be accepted through October 4, 2026.

Please submit:

• Your resume.

• A personal narrative on your commitment and applied practice towards racial equity, justice, and healing, particularly through the field of policy development, implementation, strategy, and/or advocacy.

• Written responses to the following prompts (within the online application):

• How do you approach prioritizing and balancing learning for a team and for individuals?

• How do you sustain your will and commitment when progress can feel like two steps forward, one step back?  

*Invest STL is very much interested in your original thoughts and responses. Answers will be screened and candidates will be disqualified for AI-generated responses. 

We will evaluate candidates in three rounds from October 5 - November 30, 2026, with the most aligned candidates for our needs progressing each round. An initial de-identified review of all applications will occur, followed by two rounds of interviews. We anticipate our new team members to start on or near December 1, 2026, though we are flexible, particularly in the case of a potential relocation, and can accommodate a period of remote work to support the transition.

In alignment with Invest STL’s intent on building the capacity and strength of partnering organizations, Invest STL will not recruit personnel from organizations that are active partners or recipients of funding from Invest STL. Exceptions to this principle, though rare, may be individually considered.

Invest STL prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type and affords equal employment opportunities to team members and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Invest STL conforms to the spirit as well as to the letter of all applicable laws and regulations. Invest STL prioritizes diversity in many forms in the workplace and celebrates it in our community.

During the open application period, we request that applicants refrain from contacting staff directly with questions or requests regarding the position or application process. To ensure fairness and transparency, all communications, accommodations, and questions related to the position and application process should be directed to Invest STL at View email address on us.fitly.work .