The Minnesota Budget Project is seeking a Deputy Director who will deploy analysis, policy, and leadership skills to advance our mission to make Minnesota a place where everyone can thrive, regardless of who they are or where they live.
This role is a unique and exciting opportunity for leadership in three areas:
- Leading the project’s research and advocacy in the Deputy Director’s policy focus issue areas.
- Ensuring the project’s research and analysis is high quality and high impact.
- Developing and managing equitable and efficient internal processes to advance the project’s goals and support the success of our team members.
The successful candidate will have public policy experience, strong analytical skills, and experience managing projects and people. We’re seeking folks who have a demonstrated track record of supporting, developing, and advancing racial equity work.
The Deputy Director’s current public policy focus areas include creating a more equitable state budget, and creating an economy that is more inclusive of lower-income Minnesotans, immigrants, and communities of color. Their portfolio of policy focus areas could also adapt to reflect the candidate’s experience and expertise, and respond to emerging issues.
The Minnesota Budget Project is a program of the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits (MCN), and is one mechanism by which MCN advances its vision of a healthy, cooperative, and just society.
This position is based at MCN’s St. Paul office and is eligible for a hybrid work arrangement.
Why come work for us
The Minnesota Budget Project has a track record of successfully combining sound research and analysis with advocacy, engagement, and communications strategies to enact policy change, particularly in the areas of budget, tax, and economic policy.
With over 2,300 members, MCN is the largest state association of nonprofits in the United States. MCN’s mission is to inform, promote, connect, and strengthen individual nonprofits and the nonprofit sector. MCN is dedicated to enhancing and improving cultural humility, intentionally creating inclusive and accessible spaces, and working to end disparities in power, money, access, and resources within the nonprofit sector and in government decision-making at the local, state, and federal levels.
The Minnesota Budget Project is the Minnesota partner in the national State Priorities Partnership (SPP), a network of more than 40 nonprofit research and advocacy organizations that fight for a just and equitable America. Through SPP, this position has access to professional development opportunities, peer-to-peer learning, fellowship with colleagues across the country engaged in similar work, and access to national experts at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.
MCN has a strong benefits package, with most benefits starting on day 1. Learn more about MCN’s benefit package.
How to apply
For strongest consideration, apply by August 15. Applications will be reviewed as they are received.
To apply, please submit a resume and cover letter at https://fs7.formsite.com/MNNonprofits/kgin72eftl/index . We encourage you to ensure your cover letter describes your interest in the position and how your experience prepares you to take on this role.
The hiring process will consist of two rounds of interviews. Candidates invited for the first round of interviews will be asked to submit two writing samples that demonstrate their research and analysis skills, and their ability to articulate a compelling policy argument. Candidates who advance to the second round of interviews will be asked to complete an Excel skills assessment.
Major Functions and Tasks
Research and policy (60%)
- Produce analytic materials that advance the mission of the project, including issue briefs, newsletter articles, fact sheets, and blog postings. Frequently apply a racial equity lens in the production of analytic products.
- Conduct rigorous analysis of policy and budget proposals, administrative data, academic research, and public data sets.
- Identify and build potential analytic and research projects that further the project’s mission and workplan.
- Stay current on major issues, trends, and activities related to the Deputy Director’s areas of focus, including monitoring state and federal legislative activity.
- Represent the Minnesota Budget Project before constituency groups, policymakers, and the media.
- Identify potential public policy positions and strategies, in collaboration with the project’s director, to inform and advance the project’s policy agenda.
- Inform the policy debate through policymaker education and advocacy activities, in collaboration with Minnesota Budget Project team members and organizational partners.
- As appropriate, participate in coalitions and issue campaigns to achieve the project’s policy goals in the Deputy Director’s issue focus areas.
- Build and strengthen relationships to support success in this role and advance the project’s goals, including engaging in strategic relationship-building activities to increase awareness of the Minnesota Budget Project, gain support for the project and its policy goals, and ensure its work is informed by partner organizations rooted in the communities most impacted by income and racial inequality.
- Provide technical assistance and be a resource to partners.
Management and operations (30%)
- Develop and manage strong and equitable internal operating structures to advance the goals of the Minnesota Budget Project.
- Ensure that the project produces high quality research and analysis products through fact checking, effective workflow processes, and support related skill-building training of team members.
- Support reaching project fundraising goals through developing content for grant applications and funder reporting.
- Partner with the Minnesota Budget Project’s director and Communications Director to manage the departmental budget.
- Contribute as a senior manager in MCN internal working groups.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders in the State Priorities Partnership, including the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities and SPP state partners.
- Lead the development of the project’s research workplan and policy agenda in the Deputy Director’s areas of issue focus.
- Work collaboratively with MCN staff to craft and implement equitable and transparent internal operations and policies.
- Work collaboratively with MCN staff to ensure success of MCN and Minnesota Budget Project public policy initiatives.
Supervision (5%)
- Supervise the Minnesota Budget Project’s research analyst, and legislative and research interns, and support their success through guidance, constructive feedback, and professional development opportunities.
Other Responsibilities (5%)
- Participate in relevant State Priorities Partnership activities.
- Perform other job duties as assigned.
See job description for full list of MCN employee expectations.
Education, Experience, and Skills
Persons with success in this role will possess the following strengths and qualifications, some of which they may develop during their tenure in the position.
- Minimum of six years of experience working on a full-time basis (or equivalent) in public policy, public finance, or a related field. This may include experience through nonprofit organizations, issue advocacy organizations or campaigns, community-based groups, or government positions.
- Work experience conducting policy analysis.
- Strong quantitative and analytic skills, and strong background in research methods. Proficiency with spreadsheet and statistical software.
- Excellent writing and presentation skills, including the ability to articulate a persuasive policy argument and clearly communicate complex information to a variety of audiences.
- Substantive knowledge of issues affecting low- and moderate-income people and/or tax policy.
- Strong project management skills. Ability to prioritize, manage, and coordinate multiple projects under time constraints.
- Well organized, a problem-solver, self-directed, and a team player.
- Demonstrated track record of supporting, developing, and advancing racial equity work with an understanding of how race and power shape systems in our society and culture.
- Familiarity with the state legislative and government budget processes.
- Familiarity with issues impacting lower-income Minnesotans and communities of color.
- Demonstrated ability to think strategically.
- Experience supervising full-time staff.
Preferred Education, Experience, and Skills
- BA, BS, or equivalent experience in public policy, public finance, or a related field.
- Knowledge of the nonprofit sector’s role in public policy and public services is strongly preferred.
- Familiarity with relevant policy, advocacy, and organizing organizations and government agencies.
- Previous nonprofit fundraising experience.
See job description for full list of working conditions.
Additional Information
Reports to: Minnesota Budget Project Director
Classification: Regular, Full-time (40 hours/week), Exempt
Compensation: Starting salary range $72,000 – $85,000 per year, plus benefits, which include health and dental insurance, retirement plan (including employer contribution and match), Section 125 (flex) plan, long-term disability, life insurance, sick and safe time, vacation plus personal days and summer hours, paid holidays, paid parenting leave.
See full description of MCN Employee benefits. MCN employees may be eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness.
Other: The Minnesota Council of Nonprofits is recognized as an Employer of National Service with the Corporation for National and Community Service. AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, and other national service alumni are encouraged to apply.
The Minnesota Council of Nonprofits is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, creed, age, sex, national origin, ancestry, marital status, pregnancy, familial status, disability (including those related to pregnancy or childbirth), membership or non-membership in a labor organization, sexual orientation, size, status with regard to public assistance, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected under local, state, or federal statute, ordinance, or regulation.
MCN employees must primarily reside in the state of Minnesota.