Policy & Advocacy Manager (National)

Job Title: Policy & Advocacy Manager

Reports to: Director of Advocacy, Policy & Research

Salary Range: $80,000 - $90,000

Starting: Mid - March 2025

Deadline to Apply: February 15, 2025

Status: Full Time (40 hours/week)

Category: Exempt

About Generation Hope:

Generation Hope is a nonprofit organization committed to ensuring all student parents have the opportunity to succeed and achieve economic mobility. We drive systemic change by partnering with education and policy leaders while offering direct, two-generation support to teen parents in college and their children. To date, we’ve provided over $1.5 million in tuition assistance, supported more than 500 teen parents in college, celebrated more than 200 degrees earned through our program, and partnered with over 30 two- and four-year institutions nationwide.

Our team culture is rooted in excellence, respect, and inclusion. Spur Local named us "one of the best nonprofits." We embrace diversity in all its forms—background, thought, and experiences. If our mission and culture resonate with you, we invite you to consider joining our team. For more information, visit www.generationhope.org.

Position Summary:

The Policy & Advocacy Manager is pivotal in Generation Hope systems-change efforts, working closely with the Director of Advocacy, Policy & Research to drive transformations for student parents nationwide. This dynamic position is at the forefront of eliminating systemic barriers to degree completion, championing economic mobility, and building lasting social capital for undergraduate parenting college students and their families. The manager will directly influence key policy decisions and uplift student parents as change agents by spearheading policy analysis, leading impactful advocacy strategies, and managing the National Student Parent Advocacy Alliance (SPAA). The role offers an exceptional opportunity for an experienced professional to shape national conversations on higher education affordability, childcare access, and economic justice while building a stronger, more equitable future for families.

Responsibilities

Legislative Engagement:

• Develop and maintain relationships with legislators, their staff, and relevant policymakers.
• Schedule and conduct meetings with legislators to advocate for specific policy priorities.
• Prepare briefing materials, talking points, and policy memos tailored to legislative audiences.
• Track legislative activities and identify opportunities for advocacy and intervention.

Policy Development:

• Draft policy briefs to effectively communicate findings and recommendations to stakeholders and policymakers.
• Advance policies that promote student-parent success in higher education, childcare, and economic mobility, focusing on racial equity.
• Conduct legislative and regulatory policy analysis, considering legal implications and precedents.
• Lead policy projects through original research and analysis, making findings accessible to a broad audience.
• Advance policies that promote student-parent success in higher education, childcare, and economic mobility, focusing on racial equity.
• Conduct legislative and regulatory policy analysis, considering legal implications and precedents.
• Lead policy projects through original research and analysis, making findings accessible to a broad audience.

Advocacy Coordination:

• Manage and support the SPAA by recruiting, training, and mentoring student parents for grassroots advocacy and leadership and overseeing the implementation of the SPAA.
• Provide ongoing, targeted training to develop student parents' advocacy skills and leadership potential among Generation Hope Scholars, the SPAA, FamilyU Student Parent Fellows, and other groups.
• Collaborate with the Director of Advocacy, Policy & Research to execute a comprehensive policy agenda.
• Build and maintain relationships with educational partners and institutions participating in Generation Hope’s technical assistance program, FamilyU.
• Support and prepare GH leadership and staff for legislative conversations
• Co-manage interns to support advocacy efforts as needed.

Required Experience and Skills:

• Personal qualities of integrity, credibility, and a commitment to Generation Hope’s mission
• Master’s degree or equivalent experience in public policy, political science, or a related field.
• Minimum of five years of progressive experience in policy development, advocacy, or community organizing, focusing on higher education and childcare policy.
• Commitment to Generation Hope’s mission and values.
• Expertise in policy analysis, legislative engagement, and grassroots advocacy strategies.
• Proven leadership experience managing advocacy initiatives and complex projects.
• Outstanding communication and facilitation skills to engage diverse audiences, including policymakers and community stakeholders.
• Experience mentoring and training young adults or advocacy teams.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects effectively.
• Strategic planning expertise for developing and executing long-term advocacy strategies.
• Proficiency in data analysis for policy recommendations and measuring advocacy impact.
• Experience building cross-sector partnerships with policymakers, community organizations, and educational institutions.
• Demonstrated commitment to equity and inclusion in policy work and advocacy efforts.
• Familiarity with digital advocacy tools and platforms for grassroots mobilization.
• Public speaking experience for conferences, panels, and stakeholder meetings.
• Preferred qualifications: bilingual proficiency and familiarity with policy-related software tools.
• Personal and professional commitment to understanding and dismantling systemic and institutional racism.

CANDIDATES MUST RESIDE IN WASHINGTON, D.C., VIRGINIA, OR MARYLAND BEFORE THE EMPLOYMENT START DATE.

Generation Hope has a hybrid remote and in-office work model.

Generation Hope provides full benefits, including 403(b), health, dental, and paid time off. More information on benefits can be found at generationhope.org/careers. As a safeguard to the health of our employees, participants, and community, all new hires must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by the employment start date. Our full vaccination policy is available here.

To apply, please complete the online application.

Generation Hope is an equal opportunity employer. Generation Hope will not discriminate on any basis prohibited by law, including marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, family responsibility, matriculation, political affiliation, race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, related medical conditions, breastfeeding, or reproductive health decisions), age, national origin, genetic information, veteran status, and disability.