Director of Government Affairs (Philly or Harrisburg area based role)

CeaseFirePA seeks a Director of Government Affairs to lead our public policy and government affairs strategy. In this role, you will develop and drive legislative and policy strategies to advance life-saving laws and unlock public resources at all levels of government.

About CeaseFirePA Education Fund

CeaseFirePA is dedicated to ending the epidemic of gun violence in Pennsylvania. Our goal is simple: everyone in the Commonwealth should live in safe communities. Gun violence, in any form, makes that an impossible reality.

Description

Gun Violence shatters lives across Pennsylvania every day - from firearm suicides in rural communities to unintentional shootings and street violence in our cities. Behind each tragedy is a story, and too often, a policy failure that allowed it to happen. CeaseFirePA is leading a statewide movement to end this epidemic.

CeaseFirePA is seeking a dynamic leader to drive our public policy and government affairs strategy. As our lead lobbyist, you’ll build bipartisan relationships, advance life-saving gun safety laws, and secure resources to strengthen communities. Partnering with the Executive Director, you’ll shape policy solutions to make Pennsylvania one of the 10 safest states in the nation.

We’re looking for someone who:

• Persuades decision-makers with data, stories, and strategy.
• Navigates complex political landscapes with resilience and creativity.
• Thrives in a collaborative team, champions equity and models our values in every interaction, serving as a culture ambassador across communities.
• Is committed to ending gun violence in all its forms, especially its disproportionate impact on communities of color, youth, and rural areas.

More on CeaseFirePA:

CeaseFirePA’s goal is simple: everyone in the Commonwealth should live in safe communities where they feel and are safe. Gun violence, in any form, makes that an impossible reality, taking the lives of nearly 1,900 Pennsylvanians every year with thousands more living with the damage of a bullet wound. Shootings have broken the peace in cities from Erie to Reading to Philadelphia. And the fear of the next mass shooting at a school, grocery store or place of worship, has altered the fabric of daily life.

Over more than two decades, CeaseFirePA has expanded background checks, disarmed abusers, won $180 million for community-based violence prevention programs, and launched powerful coalitions standing against gun violence. We have become Pennsylvania's leading organization working to end this public health crisis as we fight illegal trafficking, boost funding for safer communities, and save the next life from suicide.

Responsibilities:

You will work with the Executive Director to create a policy road-map to reduce gun violence in all its forms. Your responsibilities will include:

• Guiding the development and implementation of advocacy strategies at the state and local level to reduce gun violence;
• Leading CeaseFirePA lobbying work in the General Assembly including building relationships with legislators, recruiting support for policy initiatives, identifying opportunities for action, and providing strategic insight for the organizing team;
• Crafting compelling messaging materials including reports, briefs, and fact sheets that connect key solutions to the experience of gun violence across the Commonwealth;
• Developing collaborative approaches among other advocacy organizations to identify common policy approaches that will reduce violence;
• Serving on the organization’s leadership team, contributing to the overall direction of CeaseFirePA’s life-saving work.
• Supporting organizational fundraising and hiring initiatives as needed.

QUALIFICATIONS

Key qualifications:

• You have at least 7 years of experience in advocacy and public policy, ideally including developing policy, working on advocacy campaigns, and lobbying decision-makers;
• You have advanced policy through advocacy campaigns, identifying legislative targets, and developing and executing strategies.
• You have experience aligning advocacy campaigns using public engagement and pressure with persuasive lobbying efforts to accelerate policy change;
• You can evaluate legislation for equity and broader impact, develop persuasive talking points, and recommend strategic improvements;
• You have strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to connect policy with the real-world impact of gun violence and serve as a public spokesperson.
• You can set and achieve measurable goals through structured, step by step plans, and evaluate outcomes for continuous improvement;
• You are an organized self-starter with the ability to work independently, drive multiple projects, and launch new initiatives;

Preferred qualifications:

• PLUS: You have experience working with the Pennsylvania General Assembly;
• PLUS: Expertise in gun violence prevention, criminal justice reform or related issues preferred;

Details:

• This position is full-time, exempt.
• Candidates must be based in the Harrisburg or Philadelphia area with regular travel to Harrisburg during session days and some travel to other regions of the state.
• The salary for this position is $75,000-$90,000, depending on ability and experience.
• Our excellent benefits package includes fully-covered health care, paid time off, and our 401(k) plan with matching support, and a training stipend.
• The Director of Government Affairs will report to our Executive Director and work closely with our Deputy Director, Campaign Director, and organizing team.

You can read more about CeaseFirePA and our values on our website.

CeaseFirePA is an equal opportunity employer committed to a diverse, inclusive workplace. We welcome applicants of all backgrounds, including women, people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, veterans, people with disabilities, and those with arrest or conviction records. Discrimination of any kind is prohibited by law and by our values.

Our excellent benefits package includes fully-covered health care, paid time off, and our 401(k) plan with matching support, and a training stipend.

English fluency is required.