Director, Civic Engagement Programs

THE PRACTICE| Over the next decade, the federal government, states, localities, philanthropies, and private businesses are projected to spend $200 billion on new Broadband and Digital Equity programs. HR&A’s Broadband and Digital Equity practice is built to provide a full suite of strategic planning, staffing, program management, and implementation services to maximize the impact of this historic funding.

Whether we’re helping State Broadband Offices deliver their Broadband and Digital Equity plans, supporting municipalities to structure public-private partnerships and digital inclusion services, or building capacity in community anchor institutions and nonprofits, our work is focused on designing and delivering sustainable programs and partnerships that close the digital divide and promote economic opportunity for all.

THE OPPORTUNITY | The Federal Government and its partners in State and local governments, Tribal governments, community anchor institutions and nonprofits, and technology businesses will spend nearly $200 billion over the next decade to transform the nation’s broadband infrastructure and advance digital inclusion programs to achieve digital equity. Over the next year, this work includes expansive statewide planning campaigns, as well as municipal and community-based planning efforts, with a goal of ensuring that historic investments in universal, affordable broadband access build more inclusive, dynamic, and equitable economies, education and healthcare systems, and government services. Our team is leading or supporting several such efforts for states, counties, cities, and nonprofits across the country, and we are seeking a Director of Civic Engagement Programs to work nation-wide across our project teams to design, lead, and manage expansive civic engagement campaigns that elevate the voices of historically marginalized communities in the decision-making process for State and local governments.

Ideal candidates will have deep experience in successful execution of civic engagement strategies that are inclusive, multi-pronged, and comprehensive in collecting input that will inform public program design and prioritization, including with local governments, community-based organizations, advocacy organizations, households and businesses experiencing inequitable access to technology, and other stakeholder groups. Knowledge of local, regional, or national stakeholder ecosystems and mobilization opportunities are key to this role. Candidates should have experience engaging the following populations, defined in the Digital Equity Act of 2021, including: Aging individuals, Incarcerated or formerly incarcerating individuals, Veterans , Individuals with disabilities, Individuals with a language barrier, including individuals who are English learners or have low levels of literacy, Individuals who are members of a racial or ethnic minority group, Individuals who primarily resident in a rural area.

The Director of Civic Engagement Programs will be dedicated to HR&A’s Broadband & Digital Equity Practice, and primary responsibilities will include:

  • Developing and managing civic engagement programs including conducting workshops, focus groups, information sessions, surveys, and other public-facing programs, strengthening digital equity ecosystems in communities across the country
  • Managing the team’s CRM and practice-wide relationships with civic engagement partners both locally and nationally, including developing stronger partnerships with organizations that serve specific populations with demonstrated digital equity needs, providing them with stronger platforms and content to mobilize grassroots digital equity organizing
  • Shaping Statewide and Local Digital Equity Plans and program designs that foster broadband adoption – including subscriptions for internet services, device distribution programs, and digital skills building – and ensure that public investments lead to more equitable economic, educational, healthcare, workforce, essential services, and other social infrastructure outcomes
  • Developing new programs for reaching historically marginalized populations that can be supported by forthcoming government, philanthropic, and institutional grant opportunities

Preferred qualifications:

  • At least eight to twelve years of experience in successful execution of civic engagement programs that are inclusive, multi-pronged, and comprehensive in collecting input that will inform public program design and prioritization, including an exceptional ability to provide quantitative data from engagement programs to drive government decision-making
  • A clear passion for digital equity, economic empowerment, and systems change in government and community empowerment
  • Demonstrated knowledge and experience in digital inclusion programming, advancing broadband adoption, and/or community-based empowerment programs
  • Deep understanding of and experience with government operations at the state and local levels
  • Experience advancing projects through local, county, and or state government processes such as procurements, budgeting, governance planning, and public engagement
  • Substantial project management experience leading multiple fast-paced, collaborative teams simultaneously that include scoping, structuring, creating, reviewing deliverables, and producing high-quality on-time results
  • Demonstrated capacity for leadership, mentorship, critical thinking, and creativity
  • Desire to build the Broadband & Digital Equity practice by leading engagements, training staff, promulgating best practices nationally, and advancing thought leadership
  • Bachelor’s degree (master’s preferred) with a focus on public policy, economics, urban planning, business, or other closely related fields

COMPENSATION | The annual salary range for this position is $126,500 to $143,500.   Where an offer falls inside the pay range is dependent on experience.  This position is a full-time temporary contractor role for a maximum of three years that works alongside HR&A teams, where employment is via HR&A’s employment partner, Magnit. Magnit benefits include health and wellness benefits and paid holidays.

HOW TO APPLY | HR&A is committed to attracting and retaining a talented, diverse, competitive team of professionals dedicated to solving the challenges of urban life. Women, people of color, members of the LGBTQ community, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are strongly encouraged to apply.

Please submit a cover letter and resume as a single PDF document at https://hraadvisors.applytojob.com/apply/. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Applications without a cover lever will not be reviewed. 

We ask that you submit a version of your resume that has your school information removed. There is no need to reformat your resume, and you should leave your degree (e.g. “B.A. Economics”). But please remove all undergraduate and graduate school name references. This request is part of our ongoing work to build a hiring system that is free from bias and based on candidate merit and performance in the hiring process.

All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to their race, religion, ancestry, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, marital status, medical condition, veteran status or any other basis as protected by federal, state, or local law.

Learn more at https://www.hraadvisors.com/broadband-and-digital-equity/.

For more information, please contact us at jobs@hraadvisors.com.