Director, Policy and Partnerships

SUMMARY

The Director of Policy and Partnerships is a senior leadership role that advances Hope Services' voice, influence, and reach both in the halls of policy and at the executive tables of the region's leading employers and academic institutions. Reporting to the CEO and serving as a member of the Executive Team, this position shapes and drives Hope's policy agenda, staffs the Board of Directors' Policy Committee, and represents Hope as a visible ambassador within local and statewide disability coalitions and the broader disability inclusion movement. In parallel, the Director builds and stewards high-level partnerships in Hope's two priority partnership domains — corporate employment and higher/community education — translating executive relationships into inclusive hiring opportunities, resources, and program growth for the individuals Hope serves. The Director provides strategic direction to Hope's Employer Programs and TDS Inclusive Education Programs on a dotted-line basis, and directly supervises the Special Projects Manager, who leads client advocacy, client benefits, and community volunteer engagement work.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Policy & External Affairs (50%)

• Set, own, and advance Hope Services' policy agenda in alignment with organizational strategy and the needs of the individuals and families Hope serves.
• Staff the Board of Directors' Policy Committee — preparing agendas, briefing materials, policy positions, and follow-up actions for board members.
• Serve as a visible, credible ambassador for Hope at local and statewide disability coalitions, working groups, and advocacy tables for systems change
• Represent Hope Services and the broader disability inclusion movement to external audiences, including policymakers, funders, regional centers, and peer organizations.
• Develop and support Hope's positions on state and federal IDD strategy issues, including funding, regulatory, and legislative matters affecting service delivery.
• Track relevant legislation and regulatory activity; craft policy arguments, testimony, letters of support, and advocacy materials; support and help coordinate bill sponsorship and campaign efforts.
• Build and maintain relationships with legislators, legislative staff, regional center leadership, and coalition partners to advance Hope's policy priorities.
• Work in partnership with the Participant Advocacy Committee (PAC) to elevate their voices in legislative/policy efforts.

 Strategic Partnerships (40%)

Employment Partnerships

• Build and manage relationships with IDD-inclusive employers cross-regionally at the corporate/executive level to expand inclusive hiring pipelines for Hope's clients.
• Partner with the Development Department on Corporate Volunteer Engagement — overseeing collaboration and execution of employer volunteer events from ideation through delivery.
• Cultivate executive-level champions who can unlock additional hiring commitments, in-kind resources, and funding to support employment programming.

Education Partnerships

• Build and manage executive-level relationships with Hope's four-year inclusive higher education partners, including San José State University and Stanford University.
• Build and manage executive-level relationships with local community college partners, including De Anza College, Foothill College, and Gavilan College.
• Identify and pursue new partnership and funding opportunities that strengthen Hope's inclusive education pipeline.

Program Alignment & Supervision

• Provide strategic direction and dotted-line alignment to Hope's TDS Inclusive Education Programs and Employer Programs, ensuring partnership strategy translates into program impact.
• Directly supervise the Special Projects Manager, overseeing client advocacy, client benefits navigation, and community volunteer engagement work.

Organizational Leadership & Administration (10%)

• Serve as an active member of Hope's Executive Team, contributing to organization-wide strategy, decision-making, and culture.
• Manage the department's budget, planning, and reporting in collaboration with Finance and the CEO.
• Model Hope's values and mission in all internal and external engagements; mentor and develop staff and direct reports.
• Represent the department in cross-functional planning, board meetings, and organizational initiatives as needed.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree in public policy, public administration, disability studies, social work, or a related field preferred.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience working in and advocating for disability inclusion, equity, or a closely related human services field.
• Demonstrated experience crafting policy arguments and legislative advocacy strategy, including supporting or sponsoring bills, drafting testimony, and engaging legislators and their staff.
• Track record of cultivating and managing executive-level relationships with corporate, academic, or government partners.
• Prior supervisory experience, including managing staff and cross-functional or dotted-line teams.
• Experience staffing or supporting a governing board or board-level committee strongly preferred.

Skills & Competencies

• Deep knowledge of the IDD field, disability rights history, and the policy landscape shaping service delivery (e.g., the Lanterman Act, DDS and regional center systems, ADA).
• Strong government relations and legislative affairs skills, with the ability to translate complex policy issues into clear, persuasive positions.
• Executive presence and public speaking ability; comfortable representing the organization before boards, coalitions, legislators, and media.
• Skilled relationship-builder and negotiator, able to engage and influence corporate and academic executives toward shared goals.
• Program and event management skills, with experience overseeing initiatives from ideation through execution and delivery.
• Strong strategic thinking and the ability to balance competing priorities across policy, partnerships, and people leadership.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including briefing materials, testimony, and public-facing messaging.
• Collaborative leadership style suited to managing direct reports as well as dotted-line and cross-departmental relationships.
• Commitment to advancing disability inclusion, equity, and the mission of Hope Services.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS

This role is primarily remote, with significant time spent at a computer, in meetings, and in public-facing settings. Frequent local and regional travel is required to attend coalition meetings, legislative visits, partner sites, and community events; occasional statewide travel may also be required. Reasonable accommodations will be made for individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.