Landmarks is seeking a mission-driven leader to be our Director of Advocacy, helping us achieve or exceed Landmarks’ comprehensive advocacy goals. This position will engage in a wide range of community review and legislative processes, develop policy statements on a broad range of issues, offer assistance and testimony as projects are being formulated, and convene diverse interested parties to discuss developments and other initiatives relating to historic preservation and architecture. This position will work to embolden diverse advocates and stakeholders to preserve and interpret our shared cultural and heritage resources. The successful candidate will be responsible for developing, cultivating and managing advocacy and policy efforts that will expand the influence, outreach and efficacy of Landmarks’ preservation and sustainability work. This position will increase community engagement while supporting existing and developing new relationships with greater Portland organizations and institutions.

Responsibilities

• Work with community members, neighborhood organizations, governmental entities, developers, property owners, and other stakeholders to strategize creative solutions to a wide range of preservation issues, projects and initiatives while making preservation more accessible and engaging.
• Prioritize current issues and gather background information, draft talking points, write public testimony and comments, and create public presentations associated with these issues.
• In partnership with Executive Director and staff, develop educational initiatives and communications strategies for each issue.
• Provide leadership, training and support for the Board of Trustees, Advocacy Committee, staff and volunteers to support advocacy initiatives.
• Support the Executive Director in preservation advocacy issues related to public policy and legislative actions, both statewide and nationally.
• Serve as the Landmarks’ representative for Section 106 consultation processes and other regulatory issues.
• Serve as the organization’s main point of contact for and manage the day-to-day administration of all place-based advocacy initiatives such as the rehabilitation of historic buildings, designation of historic districts and local landmarks, historic resource surveys, rezoning and saving endangered properties.
o Responding to all preservation-related general inquiries and connecting community members to relevant information and resources.
o Manage relationships with members of the public through email, phone, and written communication in a timely manner.
o Develop and cultivate relationships with community organizations, elected and appointed officials and media outlets.
• In partnership with staff, coordinate and manage the summer internship program.
• Coordinate with staff to promote advocacy issues and preservation programs statewide, including providing dynamic advocacy content for the Landmarks blog, website, e-mail campaigns, and social media accounts that engages the public in important advocacy initiatives.
• Represent Landmarks and its mission to the public, media, and before government representatives in person and through writing.
• Correspond as needed with owners of properties on which Landmarks holds easements, including consultation on property changes, conducting annual site visits to easement properties, and completing annual monitoring forms with photo documentation.