Remote Policy & Partnerships Director

Hopeservices; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 117,000 - 143,000; Full time

Job summary

Hope Services, a Silicon Valley nonprofit, seeks a Director of Policy and Partnerships to advance policy, build executive relationships, and expand inclusive employment and education partnerships nationwide. The role reports to the CEO and is primarily remote with travel to engage across coalitions and partners.

Responsibilities include guiding the policy agenda, staffing the policy committee, and representing Hope with policymakers and funders while supervising the Special Projects Manager and

Qualifications

• 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; board or committee experience strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.

Skills

Policy advocacy

Legislative affairs

Executive relationship management

Public speaking

Staff supervision

Strategic planning

Written communication

Disability inclusion

Cross-functional leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree preferred

Job description

Hope Services, a Silicon Valley nonprofit, seeks a Director of Policy and Partnerships to advance policy, build executive relationships, and expand inclusive employment and education partnerships nationwide. The role reports to the CEO and is primarily remote with travel to engage across coalitions and partners.

Responsibilities include guiding the policy agenda, staffing the policy committee, and representing Hope with policymakers and funders while supervising the Special Projects Manager and