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Color Of Change

Senior Policy Counsel/Strategist

New York, NY

Responsibilities

    • Provide input on a strategic plan for building Color Of Change's federal advocacy strategies in coordination with the campaign leads across issue areas, specifically advocacy around the criminal legal system;
    • Lead COC's legislative and administrative policy work with federal policymakers/elected officials, the executive branch, and coalitions and provide subject matter expertise in an assigned policy area(s);
    • Lead the development, implementation, and daily management of federal legislative and administrative advocacy campaigns in support of one of COC's four impact issue areas (advancing economic justice, decarcerating and decriminalizing black communities, protecting voting rights and civic engagement, combating mis/dis information, and promoting racial justice in tech policy) in partnership with campaign leads (i.e., campaign directors and managers);
    • Work collaboratively with campaign staff leads on the implementation of policy advocacy strategies directed toward Congress or the Executive Branch to advance our priorities and provide expertise in developing effective advocacy strategies, campaign development, and direct action;
    • Independently develop novel ideas and approaches to solving problems, in addition to sourcing existing policy ideas and approaches to racial justice challenges;
    • Draft legislation, administrative rules/regulations, and Executive Orders at the federal level providing content expertise;
    • Prepare, provide guidance on, and/or deliver testimony on pending legislation before Congressional committees or federal regulatory agencies;
    • Research and draft legal memoranda on federal legislation and proposed administrative rules and regulations;
    • Draft and/or edit position papers/briefs, public comments, advocacy letters, fact sheets, talking points, and other documents related to priorities;
    • Provides in-depth analysis of federal policy issues and legislation, as needed;
    • Lobby elected federal officials, their staff, and executive Branch officials to support Color Of Change positions.
    • Staff Senior Policy Director or Vice President of Policy and Government Affairs in meetings with electeds officials, partners, etc., as needed;
    • Coordinate and conduct in-depth policy briefings for congressional and executive branch staff as pertinent to advancing Color Of Change's priorities;
    • Leads and/or supports the development and maintenance of relationships with key members of Congress, their staff, and executive branch officials;
    • Organize, lead, and work with outside groups to bolster support for Color Of Change policy goals or to minimize opposition to those goals;
    • Represent Color Of Change in coalition/partner meetings focused on federal policy issues with respect to the core issues outlined above or on an as-needed basis;
    • In collaboration with Color Of Change communications staff, support the development of expert commentary to media, prepare materials for media briefings, and write or contribute to op-eds and other publications, as relevant;
    • Assist with the maintenance of relationships with associations (Governors, Mayors Association, prosecutors) and state and local elected officials;
    • Manage staff, providing mentoring and coaching to support the work;
    • Hire, train, establish and monitor staff performance and development goals; assign duties, and conduct performance reviews;
    • Participate/liaise with national, state, and local coalitions, build partnerships and represent the Color of Change in the larger racial justice community;
    • As needed, represent and communicate the organization's work with key stakeholders and the press;
    • Other duties as assigned by management

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Qualifications

    • At least 7 - 10 years of policy advocacy or equivalent experience, including a track record of working on campaigns to pass or defeat legislation and to influence agency rules and regulations; professional relationships with state and local policymakers and their staff;
    • Demonstrated subject matter expertise on issues within the criminal legal system; knowledge and experience advancing racial justice across various policy issues.
    • Substantial experience in social justice/civil rights work; Deep knowledge of the legislative process - from bill introduction to passage;
    • Managerial experience with a team of professionals, managing performance, encouraging professional development, and setting high standards; and
    • Demonstrated leadership in building and maintaining an innovative and positive working culture.
    • A proven track record of innovative thinking in developing strategic programming and campaigns for progressive, civil rights, social justice, or related organization(s).
    • Demonstrated experience convening diverse partners and coordinating work amongst them to achieve collective goals.
    • Demonstrated experience or ability to develop and track goals, objectives, and other metrics to achieve desired outcomes.
    • Experience working with and convening diverse groups of people, including those directly impacted by the criminal legal system and a range of national, state, and local stakeholders, including district attorneys, advocacy, and grassroots organizations.
    • The ability to manage a complex workload and work under tight deadlines.

Knowledge & Skills

    • Skills in analyzing legislative bills and policies and effective advocacy to influence outcomes;
    • Excellent writing, research, and public speaking skills;
    • Experience drafting legislation, writing policy briefs, testimony, letters, etc.
    • Experience drafting and interpreting policy materials for colleagues to support narrative change work
    • Initiative and ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced work environment;
    • Capacity to work effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds
    • Commitment to and a passion for social justice and of justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion;

COMPENSATION

The starting salary for the Senior Policy Counsel/Strategist is $130,000 - $136,500. This is a full-time, exempt position. Color Of Change also offers a competitive benefits package.

HOW TO APPLY

Interested applicants should click the "Apply for this position" link and submit a resume and COC-specific cover letter. Applications will be received on a rolling basis.

MORE INFORMATION

Union Position: No

Location: Washington, DC or New York, NY

Color Of Change (COC) is an equal-opportunity employer. COC prohibits unlawful discrimination against any employee or applicant for employment based on race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, age, national origin, genetic characteristics, disability, status as a special disabled veteran or veteran, marital status, sexual orientation, sexual identity or any other basis prohibited by law.

Client-provided location(s): New York, NY, USA; Washington, DC, USA
Job ID: colorsofchange-62296ef9-5360-4435-b14c-ee8dc18ae719
Employment Type: Other

Perks and Benefits

  • Health and Wellness

    • Health Insurance
    • Dental Insurance
    • Vision Insurance
    • Life Insurance
    • Short-Term Disability
    • Long-Term Disability
    • FSA
  • Parental Benefits

    • Birth Parent or Maternity Leave
    • Non-Birth Parent or Paternity Leave
  • Office Life and Perks

    • Commuter Benefits Program
  • Vacation and Time Off

    • Paid Vacation
    • Paid Holidays
    • Personal/Sick Days
    • Sabbatical
  • Financial and Retirement

    • 401(K) With Company Matching
  • Professional Development

    • Learning and Development Stipend
    • Access to Online Courses

This job is no longer available.

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