Fractional Chief Policy Officer

About Action4Equity Action4Equity is a Black-led systems change organization working to transform policies, institutions, and community outcomes through organizing, community governance, public policy, and community development. We are building a statewide policy infrastructure that advances community-driven solutions across education, health, housing, economic mobility, public safety, and civic participation. We believe policy should be informed by community voice, supported by evidence, and translated into measurable improvements in well-being. Opportunity Action4Equity is seeking an experienced Fractional Chief Policy Officer (CPO) to design, build, and lead our Policy Office. This is an executive leadership role focused on building organizational capacity—not serving as a policy researcher or legislative analyst. The successful candidate will establish the vision, strategy, systems, and operating infrastructure for Action4Equity's local and statewide policy work while serving as a strategic advisor to the Co-CEOs. This engagement begins with a 90-day infrastructure build and may transition into an ongoing fractional executive leadership role. Desired Result Within 90 days, Action4Equity has a fully operational Policy Office with clear governance, strategic priorities, operating systems, performance measures, government engagement strategies, and an implementation roadmap capable of supporting long-term statewide policy impact. Responsibilities Executive Leadership Serve as the executive leader of Action4Equity's Policy Office. Advise the Co-CEOs and Board on policy strategy, legislative priorities, and emerging opportunities. Build a high-performing policy function capable of statewide impact. Recruit, mentor, and oversee future policy staff and consultants. Policy Strategy Develop Action4Equity's annual and multi-year policy agenda. Align policy priorities with the organization's strategic plan. Identify opportunities to influence legislation, public investment, and institutional policy. Develop long-term statewide policy expansion strategies. Policy Office Development Design the organizational structure for the Policy Office. Develop policies, operating procedures, workflows, and governance systems. Establish performance measures and executive reporting systems. Create a scalable operating model for future growth. Government & Executive Relations Build executive relationships with elected officials, government agencies, philanthropy, and institutional leaders. Represent Action4Equity in executive policy meetings, coalitions, and public forums. Develop strategies to influence public policy and public investment. Strengthen relationships with statewide partners. Coalition Leadership Build and strengthen statewide policy coalitions. Convene cross-sector leaders around shared policy priorities. Align advocacy efforts among community organizations, institutions, and government partners. Position Action4Equity as a trusted policy leader across North Carolina. Organizational Strategy Ensure policy work aligns with community organizing, governance, and development strategies. Integrate policy priorities across Action4Equity's initiatives. Identify strategic risks and opportunities affecting the organization's policy agenda. Support organizational fundraising by identifying policy-related funding opportunities. Initial 90-Day Deliverables Phase 1: Assessment & Strategy (Days 1–30) Complete Policy Office assessment Develop Policy Office vision and operating model Create annual policy strategy Develop statewide policy framework Complete stakeholder and government landscape assessment Develop executive policy dashboard Phase 2: Infrastructure Development (Days 31–60) Design Policy Office organizational structure Develop standard operating procedures Create government relations strategy Develop coalition engagement framework Establish executive reporting systems Develop policy performance measures Phase 3: Implementation (Days 61–90) Launch Policy Office operating systems Implement executive reporting cadence Finalize annual policy agenda Develop first-year implementation roadmap Recommend future staffing structure Present Policy Office strategy to executive leadership Qualifications Required 10+ years of executive leadership in public policy, government affairs, advocacy, systems change, or related fields. Experience building and leading policy, advocacy, or government relations functions. Demonstrated record of influencing public policy, legislation, institutional practice, or public investment. Experience leading cross-sector coalitions and executive partnerships. Experience supervising multidisciplinary teams. Strong strategic planning, executive communication, and organizational leadership skills. Preferred State or local government leadership experience. Experience in education, health, housing, economic mobility, or child and family well-being. Experience building policy infrastructure for nonprofit or mission-driven organizations. Knowledge of North Carolina's policy and legislative landscape. Proposal Requirements Please answer the following in your proposal: Describe a policy office, advocacy department, or government affairs function you built from the ground up. What are the three most significant policy or systems-change victories you have helped achieve? Describe your experience developing executive policy strategies rather than conducting policy research. How would you approach building Action4Equity's Policy Office during the first 90 days? Describe your experience building and leading high-performing policy teams. Provide examples of executive-level strategic plans, operating frameworks, or policy roadmaps you have developed. What is your availability and preferred fractional engagement model?