Job Description

Job Summary

About Tennessee Disability Coalition:

Since 1990, the TN Disability Coalition has worked to create a society that values, supports and includes people with disabilities. We are a passionate, mission-driven team of professionals. Many of us have lived experience with disability. About half of us work remotely from home offices across Tennessee and half work flexible schedules based in the office in Nashville, TN. We are a membership-based organization. Our members include 40+ organizations and a handful of individuals who align with our mission and who work with us to effect change. 35 years since our founding, the TN Disability Coalition has grown to be a respected part of the disability policy landscape at the state legislature and in the public narrative. At the nexus of community and policy, our work turns real-life obstacles into policy solutions.

Position Overview

The Public Policy Director will serve as an integral part of the Policy Team. This role will lead policy research and analysis, coordinate across the organization and partners to understand the real impact of policy changes and strategize to advance the disability community’s policy goals. This position will represent the organization in the public arena including before academia, media, government officials, disability community and other audiences. This position will include communications and lobbying at the Tennessee General Assembly.

Job Responsibilities

• Policy Analysis & Content Development
  • Research and analyze existing and emerging program and policy areas on the federal, state, and local levels that affect Tennesseans with disabilities. 
  • Develop expertise in disability service systems and policy issues.
  • Monitor and analyze implementation of state and federal laws and programs.
  • Analyze input from the disability community about the effects of policy changes for their lives and their policy goals.
  • Create content, in simple terms, that conveys the impact of government administrative and legislative policy proposals. This will include policy briefs, full-length reports, videos and webinars.
  • Advise organization on trends in advocacy that affect programmatic, legislative and administrative strategies. 
  • Develop policy recommendations for the Coalition’s public policy team and membership.
  • Contribute to the growth, expertise, and knowledge of Coalition staff and members.
  • Ensure goals and objectives for grants and work projects are met and bring creative ideas to the development of new projects and grants.
• Relationship Building & Communications
  • Communicate the Coalition’s policy analysis and positions to community members, funders, member organizations and government officials.
  • Gather input, educate and engage stakeholders and partners in public policy projects and initiatives.
  • Maintain and develop new relationships and attend relevant conferences and meetings with national and state partners, government officials, and funders.
  • Reflect disability-related policy issues and positions through public speaking.
  • Support events including annual Disability Day on the Hill to engage the community in advocacy and support relationship building with policymakers.

Qualifications

• Writing experience such as in research publications, grant applications, and/or reports.
• Effective communication skills, including public speaking and an ability to present complex issues or materials to non-specialists
• Strong work ethic matched by openness to feedback and collaboration.
• Ability to provide task leadership.
• Ability to think independently and challenge conventional wisdom in disability-related public policy.
• Comfort and knowledge using a computer, database and work-related technologies.
• Strong relationship management skills and ability to work well with individuals of diverse backgrounds and cultural traditions.
• Ability to travel, as needed, to attend meetings with partners across the state, approximately twice per year.

Additional Information

Benefits

The TN Disability Coalition covers 100% of the premiums for full-time employees to enroll in one of two employer-sponsored health plans, a dental plan, basic life policy and short-term disability policy. Full-time employees have supplemental health insurance options, a health savings account, health care flexible spending account and dependent care flexible spending account options.

Mutual of America provides the Coalition’s employer sponsored 403(b) Retirement Plan.

The Coalition matches the amount our employees contribute to the plan dollar for dollar up to 6% of employee salary after the employee has been with the Coalition for one year.

The Coalition observes 12 paid days off for holidays each year. Paid time off (PTO) accrues per pay period (semi-monthly). Annual PTO earning for full time employees who have been employed 0-5 years is 18 days and increases with tenure to a maximum of 32 days per year.

How to Apply

All applications (cover letter, resume and work sample) must be submitted via email to [email protected]. A work sample can be any format. Examples include but are not limited to: written material such as a report, blog post or project plan, graphic material such as a flyer or social media post, material from a work or volunteer project, etc.

The Tennessee Disability Coalition is committed to providing equal opportunities to volunteers, employees, applicants for employment and those seeking our services, consistent with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.  No person will be discriminated against because of race, religion, creed, color, sex, age, genetic information, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, disability or Limited English Proficiency (LEP). The Coalition requires that each employee adhere to the same standard of non-discrimination. Each employee is required to have a signed Non-Discrimination Policy statement on file.

In compliance with the American Disabilities Act, the Tennessee Disability Coalition will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. We encourage both prospective employees and incumbents to discuss potential accommodations.

Details

• Date Posted: November 13, 2025
• Type: Full-Time
• Job Function: Communications / Marketing / PR
• Service Area: Social / Human Services
• Start Date: 12/01/2025
• Salary Range: 70,000
• Working Hours: 40 hrs./wk.

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