Pennsylvania Policy Center

Executive Director

Remote within Pennsylvania
(with travel across the state, including frequent meetings in Harrisburg, PA)

 

Location: Remote within Pennsylvania (with travel across the state, including frequent meetings in Harrisburg)
Reports To: Board of Directors
Type: Full-time, Exempt
Salary Range: $140,000 – $150,000 

About the Organization
Pennsylvania Policy Center (PPC) is a mission-driven, state-based nonprofit organization that fuses advocacy, research, organizing, and campaign tactics to promote public policies that support shared prosperity and break down the barriers of class, race, gender, and ethnicity to individual, familial, and community well-being. At PPC, we work to build power in communities, influence public policy, and create lasting systemic change in Pennsylvania.

PPC uses its expertise in research and policy development to create the tools that political officials, opinion leaders, grassroots organizations, and the people of Pennsylvania need to expand our vibrant democracy, secure our freedom, and seek economic justice in Pennsylvania. We build close connections to Pennsylvanians in every corner of the state. In response to their concerns, we conduct robust and credible public policy research and analysis that identifies the sources of these problems and proposes solutions to them.

Our work, and that of our advocacy campaign, Pennsylvanians Together, is to mobilize our fellow Pennsylvanians to support policies that ensure we can all thrive, not just survive. We work in partnership to amplify our voices above those of the rich and powerful to push for policy reforms that will advance tax justice, maintain appropriate funding levels for essential public services, secure fair wages, and strengthen our democracy. 

Position Summary
Pennsylvania Policy Center plays a unique and critical role in the Pennsylvania nonprofit ecosystem, providing much-needed leadership as one of the few organizations in the state leading work on state tax and budget policy. It forges connections between policy/advocacy work and grassroots community organizing and deploys c3 and c4 campaigns to hold state and federal policymakers accountable. 

Pennsylvania Policy Center seeks a bold and visionary leader to serve as Executive Director (ED) and propel its mission to advance justice and equity across the Commonwealth. This role is ideal for a changemaker who thrives at the intersection of policy, advocacy, and community power-building by inspiring teams, navigating complex policy environments, and building meaningful relationships with funders, partners, policymakers, and communities.

Areas of Leadership for the Executive Director
Stepping in at a point of continued growth and development of a relatively new organization, this role presents an exciting opportunity for a new leader to grow the vision for the organization, including prioritizing strategic areas of work, mentoring staff and encouraging professional development, continuing to build a board of directors, strengthening the organization’s capacity to create lasting impact, and deepening the organizational culture in service of the mission. 

The ED will provide leadership, financial stability, and strategic direction of PPC (501c3) and its sister organization, Pennsylvanians Together in Action (501c4) and reports to both the (c3) and (c4) boards of directors. Broadly, the ED will lead work in the following areas:

• Boldly lead strategic campaigns to expand our vibrant democracy in the state, secure our freedom, and secure economic justice in Pennsylvania. Collaboratively lead ongoing development and oversee implementation of state-level policy reform, including a state tax and budget policy campaign to address the anticipated PA state budget shortfall in the years ahead. Grounded in the needs identified by communities across PA and in alignment with PPC partners, continue to drive forward PPC and Pennsylvanians Together’s unique and strong leadership in Pennsylvania.
• Ensure strong financial oversight of PPC and execute fundraising strategies to ensure fiscal health of the organization. Steward relationships with foundations, major donors, and funding partners to maintain existing levels of funding as well as explore opportunities to bring in new funds. Develop proposals, pitches, and appeals to position PPC’s work for support. Lead financial strategy and planning for the organization in coordination with an external accountant and the board of directors, including leading PPC through its first audit process.
• Lead and support the development of a passionate and dedicated team. Manage a team of experienced employees who are passionate about the work, care deeply about the issues at hand, and serve as effective executors and ambassadors of PPC. Oversee strengthening of practices of internal communication, coordination, and professional development for a team with diverse working styles and needs. Foster staff’s passion and dedication while growing a culture of shared care and accountability.
• Represent PPC with policymakers, partners, national networks, the media, and the public. Serve as the public face and voice of the organization among a diverse set of stakeholders. Continue to build and strengthen coalitions and collaboration across PA. Develop strong relationships that help ensure PPC is positioned as the go-to resource on policy for partners and decision-makers.
• Lead ongoing strategic decision-making, alignment, and planning for PPC’s time and focus. Balancing long-term goals with immediate needs of Pennsylvania communities, prioritize strategic areas to keep the team’s work moving in a unified direction. PPC is currently working toward six-month priorities, moving the work ahead while ensuring space for the new ED’s vision and planning. 
• Build a strong staff and leadership structure to carry PPC into the next phase of its organizational development. Define and implement the necessary organizational structures to help set up PPC for success. Consider current staffing design and develop plans to hire new positions, including potentially high-level leadership roles. Expand and develop a diverse board of directors that is invited into a deeper strategic understanding and leadership of PPC. 
• Oversee c4 entity. Ensure compliance with legal, financial, and ethical standards for governing, cost allocation, and reporting between the 501(c)(3) and its affiliated 501(c)(4), maintaining transparency, integrity, and strict adherence to IRS and federal regulations and the highest ethical standards. 

Qualifications

• Executive leadership experience in nonprofit, advocacy, policy, or public affairs (5–10 years preferred).
• Deep knowledge of state-level policy-making and advocacy strategies, including how they intersect with grassroots power-building.
• Strong fundraising background, including a proven track record of writing compelling grants and proposals, drafting donor appeals, and pitching new funding opportunities.
• Demonstrated commitment to equity, justice, and community-centered work.
• Experience managing strong teams and building organizational culture.
• Experience developing organizational budgets and strategic plans.
• Ability to work with diverse communities and lead with humility and inclusion.
• Familiarity with Pennsylvania’s political landscape and policy environment. 

Compensation
The salary range for this role is $140,000 – $150,000, depending on qualifications and experience. The organization offers generous benefits, including 100% employer-paid health care, retirement benefits, and generous leave and vacation policies. 

To Apply
Pennsylvania Policy Center is partnering with Callie Carroll and Ankita Jhaveri of CLC Endeavors in support of this process. To apply, please submit a résumé and cover letter to: PPC-ED@clcendeavors.com. We encourage interested candidates to apply by October 26th, though applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis until the position is filled. 

Please note: Your application will be reviewed by a person, so we appreciate your patience as we take the time to consider each set of materials. While all hiring processes are human-centered and therefore subject to change, we anticipate moving through the following steps: 

• Preliminary screening interview with CLC Endeavors
• In-depth interview with CLC Endeavors
• Panel interview with search committee members 
• Final interview with staff and board members
• Reference checks

Pennsylvania Policy Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Studies have shown that women, nonbinary folks, and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they meet every one of the qualifications described in a job description. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive organization and are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job. We strongly encourage you to apply, even if you don't believe you meet all the qualifications described.