Advocacy Associate - FT - Government Relations & Advocacy

Job Description

Job Posting Deadline: End of Business Day, 4/23/2024

SCHEDULE: Monday - Friday 8:00am - 5:00pm

PURPOSE OF JOB

The Government Relations & Advocacy team provides unified and proactive management of the Library’s government relations and advocacy efforts, including strategic oversight for the Friends’ of the Library (Friends’), a 501(c)(4) organization. The Advocacy Associate serves as a liaison between Columbus Metropolitan Library and the Friends’ board of trustees.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Facilitates ongoing communication between Columbus Metropolitan Library and the Friends’ board and its members to advance the Friends’ mission. Cultivates strong working relationships with all board members.

Coordinates details and logistics of internal and external Friends’ board, committee and social meetings/events; solicits and prepares information and supports agenda preparation; corresponds with committee chairs and participants as needed.

Attends Friends’ board, committee and social meetings, and related events and activities.

Provides direct support to Friends’ board members in advance of and during meetings; including, but not limited to administrative support and project management.

Serves as primary Library contact for Friends’ matters; monitors organization email; researches and responds to membership questions; receives and processes donation requests; manages volunteer inquiries.

Serves as a liaison to and collaborates with Friends’ employees, vendors, contactors, and members; provides guidance and applies relevant Library policies and procedures under direction of supervisor and Friends’ executive committee; assists with onboarding new Friends’’ employees as needed.

Maintains working knowledge of Friends’ amenity operations including the Library Store, cafés, and Carnegie Gallery; ensures Library support and alignment when appropriate.

Coordinates the complete and accurate billing and receivables process and annual tax filing with the contracted accountant.

Coordinates and facilitates Friends’ annual budget development process and audit or annual review activities.

Manages membership processing, fulfillment, renewals and associated mailings; utilizes and maintains Raiser’s Edge reports and records as appropriate.

Assists Friends’ with creation and implementation of strategic and proactive board and membership communications; collaborates with Library Marketing and Communications and Development departments and others as needed.

Performs additional duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

High school diploma or G.E.D. required.

3-5 years’ relevant experience required.

Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university preferred.

3-5 years’ experience in libraries, communications, project management, or board management preferred.

Basic knowledge of budgets, bookkeeping, or non-profit accounting is preferred.

Familiarity with Board Effect and Raiser’s Edge fundraising database is highly preferred.

Strong organization and analytical skills. Coordinates and manages multiple tasks, anticipates needs and gives attention to detail.

Strong written and verbal communication skills with ability to tailor communications with volunteers, donors, Library customers, community, colleagues, and diverse audiences.

Strong interpersonal skills, ability to interface professionally, build effective working relationships, and ability to navigate challenging situations and conversations.

Time management skills; able to work independently with initiative.

Ability to maintain confidentiality when working with sensitive information.

Ability to operate library technology including personal computer, email, software programs (i.e. Windows/Microsoft Office) and other job-related equipment and systems. Ability to utilize reliable transportation to promptly report to job assignment and other locations, per job requirements.

WORKING CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The work environment involves everyday risks or discomforts that require normal safety precautions typical of such places as offices, meeting and training rooms, libraries, and residences or commercial vehicles (e.g., use of safe workplace practices with office equipment, avoidance of trips and falls, observance of fire regulations and traffic signals, and/or working in moderate outdoor weather conditions).

Work requires occasional lifting or pushing of up to 20 lbs. and the frequent lifting or pushing of up to 10 lbs.