Partners for the Common Good (“Partners”) is a national community development finance organization that operates a family of companies with a common mission to advance economic empowerment and opportunity by partnering with and strengthening mission focused financial institutions to bring capital, create opportunity, and build wealth for low-income people and communities.
As industry experts, Partners provides opportunities for capacity building, tailored financial services, and public policy advocacy to our network (e.g., creating tools and practitioner guides for impact measurement and management, and other critical assets) to advance economic opportunity in low-income communities.
Our unique business model is driven by the partnerships within a network of US based Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) that provide impactful capital to communities across the United States. We also develop collaborative opportunities within the broader finance industry, impact depositors and mission-aligned institutions who see value in community development finance as a systemic solution to stabilizing vulnerable communities.
Partners operates the following entities:
- PCG Loan Fund – PCG is a national CDFI lending network with local impact focused on affordable housing and community facilities finance. www.pcgloanfund.org;
- Community Development Bankers Association -- CDBA is the national trade association for the CDFI banking sector and advocates for the industry and communities they serve, www.cdbanks.org;
- CapNexus – is an industry networking and information sharing platform www.capnexus.org
The Position:
The Chief Public Policy Officer is an enterprise-wide role that will work across all of our entities. Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Partners works in a hybrid environment with three days a week (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday) in person in the office and two days a week optional remote work. This is a full-time 40-hour-per-week position. The position is based in Washington DC.
A core responsibility of the position is implementing the public policy agenda of the Community Development Bankers Association (CDBA). CDBA is managed under a management agreement with Partners for the Common Good (Partners). The Public Policy Director will be an employee of Partners, but principally assigned to duties to support its work with CDBA.
CDBA is the national trade association of FDIC-certified CDFI banks, thrifts, and bank holding companies. CDBA’s members are mission-focused institutions that provide lending, financial services, and technical assistance in disinvested urban, rural and Native American communities across the United States. CDBA is the voice of the CDFI and mission focused banking sector through public policy advocacy, promoting industry best practices, and peer networking.
Key Responsibilities:
We seek a high energy and dynamic candidate to advance our public policy advocacy agenda. Responsibilities include:
- Manage advocacy campaigns and outreach on Capitol Hill and Federal agencies.
- Stay abreast of regulatory and legislative developments that affect Federal community development and financial services policies and programs.
- Analyze regulatory proposals and policies to assess impact on the membership and the low income communities they serve.
- Draft public comment letters and Congressional testimony.
- Analyze, compile and disseminate research, data, and written materials on the community development banking sector to support education and policy efforts
- Solicit input from CDBA members to formulate policy positions.
- Oversee development of databases of legislative contacts, Federal program awards, and impact of CDBA members.
- Responsible for researching and initial drafting “thought leadership” articles and OpEds for biweekly CDBA newsflash or external publications by CEO, Board members or other industry representatives.
- Supervise development of CDBA member impact profiles and other initiatives to build the capacity of CDBA members to collect and report impact.
- Participate in event planning for annual conference, workshops, webinars and conference calls.
- Lead CDBA member efforts to plan, execute and deliver proprietary and innovative banking products that serve low- and moderate-income communities, including staffing Board Product Development Committee
- Execute special projects and provide general support to the membership.
- Supervise assigned staff.
- Other duties as assigned.
Requirements:
- Passion for community development finance and improving the lives of people in underserved communities
- At least 10 years of experience in public policy or advocacy with a focus on community development, affordable housing, financial services, appropriations, or other related fields. Knowledge of the CDFI field a strong plus.
- Experience working on Capitol Hill is highly desirable.
- Experience working in a Federal executive branch agency on financial services or economic policy are a plus.
- A proactive self-starter with the ability to multi-task, excellent time management and organizational skills, and attention to detail
- Effective analytical and research skills
- Strong writing skills are essential
- Robust verbal communication, networking, relationship management, and customer skills
- Must have a strong team orientation and good project management skills
- Experience managing a team is essential.
- Ability to multi-task in a fast-paced environment
- Bachelor’s degree required, Masters preferred
- Basic computer and research skills along with familiarity with MS Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) and the internet is a must
- Applicants must be U.S. citizens
Additional Details:
Partners acknowledges and honors the fundamental value and dignity of all individuals. Our community strives to create and maintain a working environment that respects diverse traditions, heritages, and experiences. We are an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regards to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.
Compensation:
Competitive salary commensurate with experience. Medical, Dental, Vision, Life & Disability coverage available. Retirement plan (employer matching and profit sharing); paid vacation, sick leave days, and holidays. Partners is an equal opportunity employer.
To Apply:
Submit a resume, cover letter, professional writing sample, and three references below.
