Climate & Environment Policy Director

About Hip Hop Caucus

Formed in 2004, the Hip Hop Caucus (HHC) is a non-profit, non-partisan 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. We focus on addressing core issues impacting underserved and vulnerable communities, with programs and campaigns that support solution-driven community organizing led by today’s young leaders. Through a collaborative network, we hold elected officials accountable, shape policy, and build more diverse and powerful movements to ignite positive change.

What We Do

Cultural Organizing

We organize 14 – 40-year-olds, who identify with Hip Hop Culture, and share values of justice and equity. We connect the Hip Hop community to the political process to build power and create change.

Cultivate Leaders

We create platforms for cultural and grassroots leaders to use their voices, creative talents, and networks to educate, energize, and mobilize people and communities.

Engage Large Audiences

Through partnerships with artists, creatives, celebrities, and media we create content and share it through cultural channels reaching millions of people and inspiring action. It’s not only large audiences that we engage, we are intentional about engaging our communities on the frontlines of injustice.

Foster and Promote Thought Leadership

We source solutions for local to global challenges from our communities, and advocate for them to decision-makers and influencers. We partner with a broad range of organizations, and we have a respected presence in the halls of the U.S. Congress, Federal Agencies, State Legislatures, and the United Nations.

Our Focus Areas

Strengthening Democracy – Respect My Vote! campaign

We register, educate, and mobilize voters through our non-partisan “Respect My Vote!” campaign. We fight against attacks on voting rights and advocate for election system reforms that make voting easier. We empower returning citizens who can vote and advocate for full enfranchisement in all 50 states. Visit RespectMyVote.com.

Climate Change and Environmental Justice – Think 100% platform

We advocate for climate action that will stop and reverse the impacts of the climate crisis that are happening now from the perspective of BIPOC communities for which pollution and climate impacts are life and death issues. Think 100% is our climate justice communications and activism platform. Visit Think100Climate.com.

Civil and Human Rights – Good Trouble Dept.

From police violence and criminal justice reform, to quality public education, healthcare, immigration, Indigenous rights, women’s rights, LGBTQ rights, and racial justice, we lead and act as allies on the most critical civil and human rights issues of today.

Economic Justice – Justice Paid in Full platform

We advocate for an economy that works for everyone. We promote divest-invest strategies pulling money out from industries that harm our communities and investing in economically, socially, and environmentally empowering solutions. We stand with activists demanding good jobs, access to capital for communities locked out of industries, and fair housing.

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

The Opportunity

The Climate & Environment Policy Director reports directly to the Senior Director of Campaigns & Advocacy and will be responsible for leading the creation and framing of a robust and ambitious national climate policy agenda that aligns with HHC’s mission. The Director leads government relations to develop, monitor, and maintain the Hip Hop Caucus’ relationships at federal, state, and local levels.

Core responsibilities include:

Policy & Advocacy Leadership

• Direct the climate and environmental legislative work of the organization, which includes developing an annual climate justice and environmental justice policy agenda, determining legislative priorities, and implementing a legislative strategy in collaboration with the Senior Director of Campaigns & Advocacy
• Advocate for the organization’s position through meetings with lawmakers, position papers, public testimony, grassroots efforts, coalition work, and other effective advocacy methods
• Center principles of race, equity, and justice in all policy design and advocacy

Research & 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 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

Communications

• Prepare, review, and edit research memos, briefs, reports, projects, and presentations in a variety of formats to engage a diverse range of constituents
• Serve, when appropriate, as HHC’s spokesperson on climate justice and environmental justice policy matters for the media
• 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 various coalitions and partner campaigns

Candidate Profile

The Climate & Environment 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 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 Hip Hop Caucus.

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.

• 7+ 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 United Nations climate negotiations
• Experience working with elected officials, community leaders, industry associations, and corporate executives
• 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 skills
• Superior writing skills with the ability to synthesize complex information into compelling written materials
• 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 passion for HHC’s mission

Compensation & Benefits

The location for this position is flexible with a strong preference for the person to be based in Washington, D.C.

The annual salary range for this role is between $125,000-$135,000. Final salary will be based on experience and qualifications. Hip Hop Caucus also offers a generous and comprehensive benefits package.

Contact

Koya Partners, the executive search firm that specializes in mission-driven search, has been exclusively retained for this engagement. Molly Brennan and Meghan Franklin are leading this search. Make recommendations or express your interest in this role here. All nominations, inquiries, and discussions will be considered strictly confidential.

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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 the 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 & NGOs, institutions of higher education, responsible businesses, and social enterprises in local communities and around the world.

For more information about Koya Partners, visit www.koyapartners.com.