POLICY ADVOCACY DIRECTOR

Job Title: Policy Advocacy Director

Classification: Full-Time @ 40 hrs/wk, Exempt, Must have work authorization

Location: Hybrid/remote - the candidate must live in the Sacramento metropolitan area and travel regularly to downtown Sacramento

Travel Requirements: Travel fluctuates, but up to 50% local and state travel when the Legislature is in session

Compensation: Yearly salary $90,000 to $120,000

Reports To: Executive Director

Direct Reports: None for now, but this position may supervise 1-2 direct reports in the future

Expected Start: July 2025

ABOUT IMMIGRANTS RISING

Founded in 2006, Immigrants Rising transforms individuals and fuels broader changes. With resources and support, undocumented people are able to get an education, pursue careers, and build a brighter future for themselves and their communities. For more information, visit www.immigrantsrising.org.

ABOUT THE POSITION

Immigrants Rising’s Policy Advocacy Director will be a dynamic and experienced leader with a proven track record of leading and implementing strategies to advance systemic and institutional policies that remove barriers and create opportunities for undocumented individuals in California and nationwide. The Policy Advocacy Director will focus on driving statewide advocacy efforts that promote access to higher education education, workforce development and economic mobility, strengthening coalitions, and amplifying the voices of undocumented communities to achieve transformative policy change.

This role requires demonstrated expertise in policy development, coalition-building, and mobilizing stakeholders at the state and federal level to address issues impacting undocumented individuals. The Policy Advocacy Director will identify strategic opportunities, uplift community narratives, and ensure policy efforts align with Immigrants Rising’s mission and values.

KEY ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES

CALIFORNIA STATEWIDE & NATIONAL POLICY ADVOCACY (40%)

• Develop and lead policy advocacy strategies to advance opportunities for undocumented individuals in education, workforce development, and economic mobility.
• Build and maintain relationships with policymakers, advocates, and partner organizations to advance collective goals.
• Monitor and analyze legislative and regulatory changes at the state and national levels, identifying emerging opportunities and challenges.
• Mobilize and coordinate campaigns to support legislation and policy implementation that addresses systemic inequities.
• Support undocumented individuals in advocating for policies through storytelling, training, and leadership development.
• Lead the creation of policy briefs, reports, and materials to support advocacy efforts.

COALITION-BUILDING & COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT (30%)

• Strengthen and expand coalitions with partner organizations, institutions, and stakeholders to amplify advocacy efforts.
• Convene and facilitate regional and statewide policy roundtables, learning spaces, and collaborative discussions.
• Develop and manage partnerships to promote equitable practices and address policy gaps that impact undocumented individuals.
• Organize events, campaigns, and opportunities for community members to engage in policy advocacy, including virtual and in-person settings.

POLICY COMMUNICATIONS & EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS (20%)

• Oversee the creation and dissemination of clear, accessible materials to educate stakeholders, including policy briefs, fact sheets, and toolkits.
• Collaborate with the Communications Team to design campaigns that elevate policy issues and community voices.
• Lead webinars, workshops, and presentations to raise awareness and build capacity for policy advocacy.
• Draft policy statements, press releases, and op-eds that advance Immigrants Rising’s priorities.

GENERAL ORGANIZATION-WIDE RESPONSIBILITIES (10%)

• Sits on IR’s Executive Team and works collaboratively with team members towards complex, long-range goals.
• Oversees the budgeting process for the Policy department. Coordinates budget preparation, approval, and monitoring. Ensures consistency and alignment with overall organizational strategy.
• Supports the writing of grant applications and reports. Develops ideas, makes major writing contributions, and coordinates internal team and external partners for submission of ambitious and large grant projects.
• Train and supervise team members and contractors supporting policy advocacy efforts.
• Contribute to the documentation of advocacy processes, milestones, and outcomes.
• Represent Immigrants Rising in external meetings, conferences, and public events.
• Participate in organizational visioning, planning, and collaboration to strengthen collective impact.

QUALIFICATIONS

The Policy Advocacy Director will be thoroughly committed to Immigrants Rising’s mission and vision.

Required Qualifications:

• Minimum 7 years of experience in policy advocacy, legislative work, and/or community organizing, with at least 3-5 years in leadership or supervisory roles.
  • Preferred experience with California policy advocacy, undocumented individuals in education, workforce development, and/or economic mobility.
• Deep passion and commitment to immigrant rights with personal connection to the undocumented experience.
• Expertise in navigating policy landscapes, including legislative and regulatory processes.
• Proven success in leading advocacy campaigns, coalitions, or initiatives at the state and/or national level.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including public speaking, writing policy briefs, and facilitating workshops.
• Demonstrated ability to build relationships across sectors and mobilize diverse stakeholders.
• Highly organized with strong time management and strategic planning skills.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with internal and external partners.

Preferred Skills & Experience:

• College graduate/Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Strong attention to detail, adaptability, and ability to navigate complex systems.
• Proficiency in G-Suite, Airtable, or other project management and database tools.
• Strong cultural competency to communicate effectively and inclusively across diverse groups.
• Fluency in Spanish, Korean, Tagalog, Haitian Creole, or another language spoken by immigrant communities.

DO YOU THINK THIS MIGHT BE YOU?

If you see yourself in this job description but don’t feel like you meet every single criterion, we encourage you to apply anyway! Research shows that individuals from historically marginalized groups, particularly women, trans, non-binary folks, and BIPOC, tend to self-select out of opportunities at higher rates. We take a holistic approach to all of our hiring practices and want to hire those who best align with our mission and goals.