Policy and Advocacy Manager - Higher Education and Workforce

About Young Invincibles:

Young Invincibles (“YI”) is a non-profit, non-partisan advocacy organization working to expand economic opportunity for young people ages 18 to 34 and to amplify their voices in the national political conversation and policy arena. Founded by and for young adults in the summer of 2009 during the debate over health care reform, YI has quickly grown into a leading voice for young people on the issues of healthcare, higher education, pathways to jobs/workforce and civic engagement. The organization has achieved major successes in areas ranging from the regulation of college health plans to Pell grants and has successfully engaged hundreds of thousands of young adults online through a network of over 100 partner organizations. Our regional offices (California, Colorado, Illinois, New York, and Texas) have increased grant aid for low-income college students, expanded funding for community colleges, and ensured undocumented students can access in-state tuition.

Position Description: The Policy and Advocacy Manager - Higher Education and Workforce will help implement Young Invincibles’ Federal advocacy and government affairs under the supervision of the Policy and Advocacy Director, Higher Education and Workforce and in collaboration with the Young Invincibles national policy team. He/she will play a supporting role in the design, planning, and implementation of programmatic activities to achieve policy goals and outcomes.

The ideal candidate will have an understanding of the intersection of national policy, advocacy, grassroots engagement, and have the ability to translate complex policy information into consumer-friendly plain language. He/she/they will be responsible for researching and synthesizing legislation and administrative rules, facilitating and coordinating events to engage policymakers, stakeholders and young people, and collaborating with our team to elevate critical content and dialogue on YI policy issues Federally.. The Manager will support strategic partnerships, organizing, and training strategies, and drive issue campaigns for our national office. This position will work collaboratively with YI teams and external partners to advance integrated issue campaigns, maximize outcomes, and strengthen an infrastructure conducive to greater participation of young adults in the political process

Location: Must live in the vicinity of and be able to come into the office at least once a week in:

• Chicago, IL
• Washington DC
• Los Angeles, CA
• Denver, CO
• Houston, TX
• New York, NY

Responsibilities:

• Play a leading role in developing national policy agenda in coordination with YI’s Director of Policy and Advocacy, Higher Education and Workforce and the national policy team
• Develop and execute political campaign strategies to move the policy agenda forward, including engaging other YI offices, external partners, and community groups.
• Build and maintain relationships with congressional and national lawmakers, serving as one of the primary points of contact for the office.
• Analyze and track legislation to provide recommendations on YI’s strategy around public positions, sign-on letters, bill sponsorship, comments, and feedback on draft legislation.
• In collaboration with YI’s national policy team, research, and draft policy reports, issue briefs, and fact sheets that analyze Higher Education and Workforce issues related to young adults nationally.
• Play a key role in connecting national campaign efforts to states
• Present to National partners relevant policy/legislative developments.
• Train grassroots leaders on key policy issues and on working with policymakers.
• Represent YI and the National office’s policy positions to national and local partner organizations, key policymakers and their staff, the media, and grassroots community groups, as well as at conferences and events.

Qualifications:

• 3-4 years of demonstrated experience in policy and legislative research and a commitment to improving the lives of low-income and underrepresented young adults is required
• High School Diploma or equivalent is required. A Bachelor's degree in Public Policy, Political Science, or related field is highly preferred
• Exceptional written and oral communication skills.
• A deep understanding of the federal legislative process.
• Ability to connect with a young adult audience.
• Demonstrated cultural competency working and collaborating with communities of color.
• Experience working with community organizing groups, unions, or other base-building groups and their constituencies on policy campaigns, specifically related to communicating complex policies to grassroots constituencies and assisting grassroots organizations in developing effective issue campaigns.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to verbalize and explain methodology and results.
• Talent for building relationships with stakeholders including community-based organizations, student groups, or diverse young adult populations.
• Experience and comfort working as part of a multidisciplinary team, able to contribute based on expert knowledge or otherwise, as needed.
• The ability to produce consistent, quality work in a fast-paced environment is essential.

Benefits:

• Annual Salary - $79,560
• Comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, & vision coverage, company funded HRA plan; 401K retirement, life insurance, generous vacation, etc.

Young Invincibles is an equal employment opportunity employer and strongly encourages diverse candidates to apply. YI does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, sex (including pregnancy), gender, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, medical condition including genetic characteristics, mental or physical disability, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, (including transgender status), weight, height, linguistic characteristics (such as accent and limited English proficiency, where not substantially job-related), citizenship status, or any other basis prohibited by law.

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