Director of Policy and Advocacy

Position Summary

The Director of Policy and Advocacy works closely with the Executive Vice President and the Vice President of Policy and Advocacy to strategically set the stage for the Campaign’s policy victories, manage the Campaign’s state budget and legislative advocacy portfolio, and garner support for the long-term success of our ambitious policy and advocacy agenda.

The Director of Policy and Advocacy leads the development of the Campaign’s state budget priorities and statewide budget advocacy strategic engagement. This position also collaborates with the Legislative Affairs Manager to lead the execution of the Campaign’s annual state policy advocacy agenda, including development of tools and resources to support the Campaign’s policy agenda, coordinating legislative advocacy meetings, and other advocacy tools in support of sponsored California legislative and budget priorities.

The Director of Policy and Advocacy is a public facing position, with the individual in this role serving as a primary resource and liaison for legislative staff and advocate for the Campaign’s legislative and budget priorities as a registered employee lobbyist. The Director of Policy and Advocacy will be expected to provide testimony and public comment in legislative committees, and otherwise represent the Campaign in external coalitions and shared advocacy spaces.

This position will be based out of our Sacramento office. The Campaign maintains a hybrid work schedule, with the ability to work remotely approximately 40-50% of the time per week. Given that this position interfaces closely with the California State Legislature, the proportion and cadence of in-person work expected for this position increases during the legislative session.

Essential Responsibilities & Duties

Statewide Policy Analysis & Advocacy

• Analyze legislative and budget proposals that intersect with the Campaign’s strategic priorities, including top-line analysis and recommended opportunities for engagement.
• Assess strategic timing and opportunities for the Campaign to meet with interested offices to advance our legislative and budget priorities and coordinate legislative advocacy outreach accordingly.
• Identify and help to execute opportunities to elevate the Campaign as a preeminent higher education equity expert in spaces with policymakers and key legislative staff.
• Serve as a credible and knowledgeable spokesperson about the Campaign’s strategic priorities and legislative and budget priorities.
• Craft policy language, negotiate technical amendments, and advance priority policy proposals through policy, budget, and appropriation committees.

Legislative Engagement & External Relations

• Identify and cultivate strong legislative champions in both the Assembly and the Senate
• Serve as a liaison and trusted content area expert for legislative and budget staff
• In coordination with the Legislative Affairs Manager, support efforts to identify and build legislative relationships.
• Represent the Campaign as an external spokesperson, including at regional, statewide, and national coalitions and conferences as necessary.
• Develop and deepen relationships with social justice, educational equity, student leaders, and educator individuals and organizations.
• Organizational Coordination & Support
• Supervise the Legislative Affairs Manager, and may supervise Fellows and/or Interns, as needed.
• Coordinate closely with the Director of Public Affairs and the Director of Strategic Communications to ensure collaborative and effective cross-team coordination.
• Coordinate closely with the Director of Policy Impact to ensure strategic alignment between the Campaign’s state policy agenda and policy implementation strategic priorities.

Experience and Qualifications

The successful candidate will have:

• A track record of working in education policy, educational equity programs, or state or federal government, with a minimum of five to seven years of relevant work experience. Prior experience working within, or in close partnership with the California State Legislature is preferred.
• Education and Issue Area Expertise: A Bachelor’s or advanced degree in Public Policy, Public Relations, Political Science, Communication, Education, or related field. Issue area expertise is strongly preferred in the areas of Higher Education Policy, Higher Education Administration, Education Equity, and State Budgeting.
• Policy Analysis and Advocacy: Demonstrated ability to quickly analyze complex policy, and a demonstrated track record of experience creating and passing policy.
• Ability to Navigate State Legislative Systems and Processes: Strong understanding of California state budget and legislative systems and processes, and an understanding of how to move policy in a dynamic political environment.
• Thrives in Ambiguity: Ability to work within a rapidly changing and dynamic political environment, and ability to rapidly reassess and shift strategy accordingly.
• Positive Attitude: Must demonstrate a willingness to learn and continually improve and approach the work from a place of what is possible and resourcefulness.
• Strong Written and Oral Communications Skills: Ability to distill complex policy research and technical legislative language into succinct, easily understood, and compelling written and oral communications.

Location

This is a hybrid position based in Sacramento, with approximately 2-3 days per week expected in office. Some light travel will be required.

Vaccination Requirement

For the safety and wellbeing of our staff, the Campaign requires all employees to be fully vaccinated with COVID-19 vaccines and boosters as a condition of employment.