Director of Government Relations and Community Engagement - Beyond Housing

Director of Government Relations and Community Engagement

Job Description

Overview: Beyond Housing is a nationally recognized community development organization that works to strengthen families and transform underserved communities to create a stronger, more equitable, and prosperous St. Louis region for all. We engage where we’re needed, focusing on building consensus among leaders, providing and preserving housing, fostering community structures that shape lives, and guiding systems that make people’s lives better.

We lead with vision for what a community can be—every community is different, but thriving communities tend to share the same basic set of positive traits regarding housing, safety, education, health, infrastructure, and access to basic human services. We bring together leaders and resources, volunteers, and citizens, and pursue a wide assortment of creative approaches to build stronger, healthier communities for life.

Finally, we are community builders, not kingdom builders. “It’s their neighborhood, future, & dreams”. Our objective is to help build and contribute the good things we do for the sake of adding value to the lives of the people we’re honored to serve. 

Position: The Director of Government Relations and Community Engagement (GRACE) is responsible for directing the organization’s comprehensive community engagement, public policy, and local government initiatives. The Director will report to the Deputy COO, with additional reporting to and support from the President/CEO on local government issues.

Responsibilities:  

Community Engagement

• Lead GRACE team in developing community engagement strategies and activities for a variety of topics impacting the 24:1 Community. Past examples include community engagement regarding economic development, infrastructure improvements, developing community plans, hosting candidate forums and public hearings. 
• Oversee and guide outreach and engagement of resident volunteers and strategic partners to implement the 24:1 Community Vision Report, including building capacity of the 24:1 Community Coalition and organizing the annual 24:1 Community Conference. 
• Provide oversight of 24:1 Community Coalition and related resident-led committees and initiatives.
• Direct ongoing engagement of residents to inform projects, programs, and services.
• Lead efforts to increase resident leadership and build community capacity. 

Government Relations

• Plan, prepare and implement meetings and build relationships with elected leadership in the 24:1 footprint. 
• Direct communication and administration of 24:1 Municipal Partnership, its related committees and initiatives, including monthly Partnership meetings, monthly Mayors Only meetings, and additional committees. 
• Serve as a liaison between 24:1 Municipal Partnership and partners such as Normandy Schools Collaborative and other entities. 
• Manage multiple projects, including development of a 24:1 Transportation Development District.
• Support public safety efforts across municipalities through grants and other initiatives. 

Department Leadership 

• Lead department’s strategic plan implementation in alignment with Beyond Housing’s 2023-25 strategic plan.
• Provide oversight for federal, state, and private grants, including a Department of Justice Byrne Criminal Justice Innovation Program grant; Support project coordinator in grant administration, implementation, and compliance. 
• Manage department and grant budgets.
• In partnership with Evaluation department, collect and analyze program impact data. 
• Develop Standard Operating Procedures and written process documents for the department.
• Support department team members in developing and implementing individualized work plans.
• Supervise GRACE department’s team, including full-time staff, practicum students, and interns; Supervision includes one-on-one support, coaching, and directing.

Personal Qualities:  

• Collaborative -- A dynamic personality that is collaboratively minded, can recognize and identify strengths, seek consensus around mutual goals, and build meaningful relationships.
• Creative, Critical Thinker -- A systems-thinker and builder, who is not afraid to be innovative in designing solutions and has skills in articulating these ideas and concepts.
• Methodical -- Strong analytical, systems, and problem solving skills to evaluate performance, prepare reports, and recommend/implement solutions using independent judgment. Ability to move from concepts to action through strong program design and evaluation.
• Reliable -- Leadership skills that reflect and value a team approach, demonstrated integrity, effectiveness, efficiency, and the ability to deliver high quality service. Highly capable of handling multiple tasks, projects and timelines. Excellent oral and written communications skills.
• Trusted -- Ability to work with residents, partners, and staff of diversified backgrounds with a positive, optimistic, solutions oriented attitude. Shares a deep respect for the community, its stakeholders and the residents that we serve. 
• Driven -- Passion for the work and an interest in continuous learning and improvement.

Leadership Qualities:

• People-centered; Approach team and community members as people first
• Strong listener
• Committed to strong team culture and team building
• Ability to model and promote work-life balance across department
• Detail and process-oriented
• Ability to set boundaries and make strategic decisions regarding department’s scope of work and capacity
• Provide guidance and not micro-management
• Promote culture and practices of inquiry, intentionality, and strategic decision-making

*These leadership qualities were developed in partnership with GRACE department team members.

Preferred Experience and Qualifications:

• At least 2 years of experience in community development, municipal government, public administration, or related fields.
• Extensive experience in community engagement.
• Strong community facilitator. Experience with group facilitation and balancing multiple agendas for a common goal is a must. 
• Commitment to racial equity and ability to work in diverse communities.
• Demonstrated detailed project, grant implementation and time-management skills, including the ability to manage and prioritize multiple tasks and relationships, manage department and grant budgets, and meet program deliverables. Federal grants experience is a plus. 
• Experience with managing contracts, consultants, and partnerships
• Ability to build respectful and meaningful working relationships in and outside of the organization, including residents, community leaders, and local, state and federal elected officials. 
• Ability to see the big picture, connect with current events, manage through times of urgency.
• Adaptability and ability to respond to a constantly evolving environment. 
• Team builder and community builder. Ability to work well with others in a collaborative team environment. 
• Excellent public speaking and written communication skills.
• Computer skills with Microsoft applications (i.e. Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Teams), virtual meeting tools (i.e. Zoom).
• Ability to commit to a flexible schedule; participation in evening and weekend meetings and events (including City Council meetings, 24:1 Municipal Partnership meetings, resident committee meetings, and community events) is required for this position. On average, this position may have 1-2 evening/weekend engagements a week. Flex time is actively encouraged to accommodate for evening/weekend engagements, so work schedule may vary from week to week. 
• Familiarity with 24:1/Normandy Schools Collaborative Community is preferred.

Supervises: Government and Community Engagement Project Coordinator, Community Engagement Coordinator, Government Relations Coordinator, Practicum Students, Interns, Consultants

Supervisor:  Deputy Chief Operating Officer 

Salary and Benefits:

• Salary Range: $70,000 to $75,000
• Benefits for full-time position as determined in current Beyond Housing Employee Handbook.

Remote Work Option: 

This is a hybrid-position; it is anticipated at least 60 percent of work will be required in-person. 

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this position.  They are not intended to be a complete list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required.

Summary of Physical Requirements: 

This position works primarily in an office environment supporting multiple functions at the assigned and remote locations. The Director of Government Relations and Community Engagement will perform most functions in a business setting, either at the regular assigned worksite, or at off-site offices, training rooms and/or other room found to accommodate small or large groups of clients.  This position may frequently fluctuate from being constantly sedentary while compiling documents, working on computers; phones and in personal interaction and conversations to being constantly in motion.  This position may require occasional standing depending on the task being performed.  The constant use of eyes and hands will be required in all environments where work is performed involving clerical task and personal interactions.  The incumbent may frequently sit.  The incumbent may occasionally stand, walk, reach, stoop, climb, lift, carry and bend when performing essential job function including traveling to worksites in a vehicle.  Seldom is defined as 1% to 5% of the time.  Occasional is defined as 6% to 39% of the time.  Frequently is defined as 40% to 74% of the time. Constantly is defined as 75% to 100% of the time.  

ADA – Beyond Housing is committed to furthering the purpose of the American with Disabilities Act (ADA).  The company is always willing to consider reasonable accommodations, which may allow a disabled person to perform this or any other job.  The Summary of Physical Requirements is a list of what we believe at this point to be necessary in order to perform the essential functions of the job. 

Diversity & Inclusion Statement At Beyond Housing, we are committed to promoting Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity throughout our organization and culture. We strive to understand and appreciate the individuality of every employee and create a better place to work for all. We nurture a culture where everyone positively acknowledges equity through action and is aware, understanding, and appreciative of diversity. 

Our vision is to go beyond simple tolerance and fully embrace the things that make each person unique. We recognize that our employees’ differences support our ability to advance equity for the communities we serve. Further, we understand that equity is critical to the fulfillment of our mission to help entire communities become better places to live.