Senior Policy Strategist

Senior Policy Strategist

Team: Policy and Programs

Reports to: VP of Policy and Programs

Supervises: Senior Manager of Education Policy, Senior Associate of Policy and Programs, Policy Interns.

Employment Status: Full Time/Exempt

Salary: $106,090.000/ year (40 hours/ week)

Location: Position is based in New York City and will require regular travel within New York State.

Position Description

Under the supervision of the VP of Policy and Programs the Senior Policy Strategist will lead the NYIC’s work to expand immigrants’ access to rights, benefits, and services.

The Senior Policy Strategist will identify strategic policy and advocacy opportunities and needs, with a particular emphasis on state and local levels but also including the national level, and guide the Policy team’s work to respond effectively and expeditiously to drive transformational impact. They will be instrumental in advising the Vice President of Policy and Programs on state and local policy issue areas and maintaining current awareness to equip the team to produce impactful change and support on national policy as needed. The work will include coordinating local and state coalitions, analyzing key policy developments, developing campaign materials, leading campaigns as appropriate within the NYIC’s campaign priority structure, and providing content expertise and relationship management including local and state impacts from national policies.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

1. Policy
   • Cultivates and leads special initiatives that empower immigrants through innovative solutions, including but not limited to climate, workforce development, adult literacy
   • Identifies strategic policy and advocacy opportunities and needs, with a particular emphasis on state and local levels and national as needed, and guides the Policy team’s work to respond effectively and expeditiously.
   • Maintains policy awareness and preparedness for the team on state and local policy issue areas and national policy as needed.
   • Provides strategic guidance to the VP of Policy and Programs.
   • Leads all campaigns and initiatives related to Economic Power and Good Jobs.
   • Identifies and leads the economic justice and family empowerment program’s budget and legislative and administrative priorities, and works closely with Members and allies to identify key issues for New York State’s immigrant students and workers.
   • Develops and advocates for recommendations to guide agency implementation of new policies to support economic justice and family empowerment for immigrant families.
   • Coordinates and leads the NYIC’s participation in the New York City Coalition for Adult Literacy, and represents the NYIC’s policy goals and interests in other coalitions working on high priority economic justice and empowerment issues.
2. Leadership
   • Develops and communicates goals that align with the NYIC’s vision and strategy to achieve those goals; influences and motivates team members and NYIC colleagues to translate vision into action.
   • Approaches complex tasks and problems comprehensively; weighs costs, benefits, and risks to solving problems; draws sound, fact-based conclusions especially when under pressure.
   • Seeks opportunities for innovation; explores new ideas, methodologies, different positions, and alternatives to reach outcomes; and assesses, manages and takes calculated risks to achieve goals.
   • Identifies when issues need to be escalated and opportunities leveraged and effectively engages appropriate actors; perceives organizational and political sensitivities and acts accordingly to effect positive outcomes and mission achievement.
   • Demonstrates integrity, adaptability, and passion for the NYIC’s mission.
3. Organizational Development
   • Collaborates with Executive Leadership to oversee budgets, and develop and maintain realistic project budgets that measure actual costs against budgeted costs.
   • Demonstrates understanding of the roles and responsibilities of the NYIC; uses knowledge of organizational culture in decision-making and impact analysis to achieve positive outcomes.
   • Supports goals that align with the NYIC’s vision; sets a clear path to achieve goals.
   • Represents the NYIC as a spokesperson on all relevant issues and field requests to support media, provide testimony as required, and represent the NYIC in key meetings with high-level officials.
   • Actively leads resource development; identifying and pitching ideas; participating in funder visits; drafting, editing, and contributing to proposals and reports.
   • Looks beyond the specific requirements of one's own job to further organizational goals, promote the organization, and offer suggestions for improvements of overall organizational operations.
4. Teamwork and Relationships
   • Develops and manages relationships with partners and allies involved in policy and advocacy work; develops strategy for and identifies relevant new groups to bring into NYIC work.
   • Fosters internal and external relationships to support and strengthen the NYIC and its Policy work; seeks opportunities to leverage relationships and find mutually beneficial solutions as related to Policy work
   • Fosters a working atmosphere conducive to collaborative efforts.
   • Demonstrates a high level of emotional intelligence and interpersonal awareness.
   • Seeks to engage diverse voices in developing and carrying out the organization’s priorities; demonstrates respect and understanding of different cultures through communication and engagement.
5. Staff Management
   • Supervises and mentors the Senior Manager of Education Policy, the Senior Associate of Policy and Programs, and Policy Interns by tracking performance, setting clear goals and performance measures, and providing prompt, actionable feedback.
   • Implements or supports various change management activities (e.g., communications, education, team development, coaching).
   • Highly proficient in team-building, coaching, and developing talent.
   • Clearly and effectively conveys information; asks clarifying questions; listens actively.
   • Ensures that regular communication occurs based on the needs of the work, the individual, management, or the situation.
   • May need to occasionally lift, carry and move materials weighing 50 pounds or less.

Qualifications

• At least 5-6 years of relevant professional experience, including managing a team and ability to successfully supervise team members to achieve key objectives.
• Detailed knowledge of federal, state and local and issues facing diverse immigrant communities throughout New York State.
• Experience leading campaigns and building diverse coalitions.
• 2-3 years of prior supervisory experience required.
• Fluency in one of the top 6 languages spoken in New York State strongly preferred.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, good judgment and the ability to work both collaboratively and independently.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, high-energy environment.
• Ability to multi-task and manage competing deadlines.
• G-Suite/Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Salesforce.
• Must be legally authorized to work for any employer in the U.S.

Salary: $106,090/ year

In addition to a competitive salary, NYIC offers a full benefit plan, paid sick time, unlimited vacation leave, commuter benefits and a comprehensive retirement plan.

The NYIC has a transparent and equitable salary structure. Starting salaries for each position are set in advance with no room for negotiation.

To Apply: Interested candidates should send a cover letter and resume to hr@nyic.org with the subject line: Senior Policy Strategist

Deadline to Apply: Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and we are looking for someone to begin as soon as possible.

All qualified applicants will be afforded equal employment opportunities without discrimination based on race, creed, color, national origin, immigration status or citizenship, sex, age, disability or marital status.