Leadership role
Chief Policy Officer
Directs an organization's public policy positions and its work to influence policy.
Reporting and scope
Reports to the Executive Director / CEO. Authority covers policy research, positions and advocacy across the organization.
Core responsibilities
- Sets the policy agenda and approves the organization's positions
- Leads research and analysis staff
- Oversees lobbying and grassroots advocacy, keeping within limits for the organization's tax status
- Builds relationships with legislators, agencies and coalitions
- Represents the organization in testimony and public forums
- Tracks lobbying expenses for reporting
How it differs
The VP of Advocacy / Policy and Director of Advocacy lead advocacy at a lower level. The Director of Government Affairs focuses on lobbying relationships rather than setting policy positions.
By organization size
The chief title appears in national associations, think tanks and large advocacy groups. In smaller organizations a policy director handles the work and reports to the CEO.
Filings from the last five years mapped to this role commonly report titles such as: Chief Policy Officer; Chief Public Affairs Officer