Policy Manager

Organization Overview

The Children’s Defense Fund (CDF) envisions a nation where marginalized children flourish, leaders prioritize their well-being, and communities wield the power to ensure they thrive. The

Children’s Defense Fund builds community so young people grow up with dignity, hope, and joy. We serve and advocate for the largest, most diverse generation in America: the 74 million children and youth under the age of 18 and 30 million young adults under the age of 25, with particular attention to those living in poverty and communities of color. CDF partners with policymakers, aligned organizations and funders in this service. The Children’s Defense Fund is the only national, multi-issue advocacy organization working at the intersection of child well-being and racial justice by wielding the moral authority of programmatic proximity and community organizing to inform public policy. For more information visit www.childrensdefense.org.

Position Summary

The primary responsibilities of the Policy Manager are to develop and execute strategies that center the voices of lived experience for advancing CDF’s policy priorities at the New York State level. The ideal candidate has a demonstrated commitment to racial justice and the well-being of all children, especially those in marginalized communities; experience analyzing city and state laws, regulations, and proposed bills; crafting public policy; conducting advocacy campaigns; and working with diverse coalitions to achieve desired outcomes. The individual should have extensive networks in the New York State policy community as well as experience building coalitions, leading projects, and managing one or more colleagues as part of a small team. The Policy Manager is a senior member of the CDF-NY team, responsible for developing and implementing statewide strategy for New York’s health equity and economic mobility policy agenda along with priority areas identified by communities in need. The Policy Manager pursues this agenda with a laser focus on racial equity, rooted in CDF’s theory of change through movement building, proximity, and community and youth partnership. The ideal candidate will have a successful track record of building advocacy partnerships to advance policy change, including budget and legislative reforms, in the areas of health equity and economic mobility at the state and city levels.

Organizing and Advocacy

Develop and lead coordinated statewide multi-year advocacy agendas in health equity and economic mobility along with priority areas identified by communities in need based on input from impacted children, youth, young adults, and community members, as well as service providers and advocates, as well as research on best practices.

• Direct and implement strategy to incorporate grassroots organizing in statewide policy efforts, in collaboration with partner organizations and internally at CDF-NY.
• Draft and review state and local legislation, regulations, budgets, and relevant policy.
• Create pathways and processes for federal, state and local advocacy that center the expertise and partnership of impacted children, youth, young adults, and community members from New York State in the work.
• Participate in city, state and national working groups and in learning collaboratives related to health equity and economic mobility and other priority areas identified by communities in need across New York State.
• Serve as a resource on health equity and economic mobility along with other priority areas within CDF, including to other state office and national office colleagues, and collaborate on projects as appropriate.

Research and Communications

Develop and maintain effective coalition relationships with:

• CDF’s base across New York State, including children, youth, parents, community leaders, faith partners, and Freedom School partners.
• New York State organizations serving children and families, advocates, research institutions, as well as elected officials, system administrators, legislative staff and executive agency leaders.
• Other system stakeholders.
• Prepare analysis and public comment, testimony and feedback on relevant New York State legislation, regulations, policy and budget commitments.
• Direct effective statewide strategic communications campaigns regarding CDF-NY’s health equity and economic mobility priorities.
• Assess and develop new research and knowledge collaboratively with New York State community members, and establish new partnerships to support our advocacy.
• Regularly speak publicly about health equity and economic mobility with impacted community members, the press, elected officials, and other stakeholders in New York State.
• Staff Development and Office Administration
• Support the State Director to raise funds to support the program from existing and new grant-makers who support the health equity and economic mobility portfolio.
• Manage portfolio project budgets (with State Director and Operations Administrator).
• Manage, provide mentorship, supervision and support advancement for Policy Associates, Organizers, interns, sub-grantees and contractors, as applicable.

Education and/or Experience

• Advanced degree in a related field (e.g. public policy, law, social work) required.
• 5-7 years of progressively responsible experience in policy, organizing or advocacy, including in a supervisory role.
• Significant experience in health equity and economic mobility, advocacy, management and administration in New York State.
• Experience in developing and leading successful public policy advocacy, including centering the expertise of community members impacted regarding our issues of focus in New York State.
• Experience supervising and developing junior staff.
• Experience working with lobbyists, the media and collaborating on strategic communications and research partnerships.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with and knowledge of federal, state and local economic support and stakeholders.
• Experience analyzing government budgets, legislation and regulations.
• Experience drafting legislation.

Competencies

• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Strong organizational and project management skills.
• Candor, sound judgment and strong interpersonal skills.
• The ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with impacted community members, high-level child sector professionals, elected officials, and system administrators.
• Racial equity analysis and application in economic support and health systems.
• Understanding of the necessity for proximity to community to inform advocacy.

Personal Characteristics

• Orientation to and background of servant leadership.
• Passion for CDF's mission and purpose and ability to communicate this passion to others.
• Ability to serve as an advocate and an exemple for the mission, vision, and values of the Children’s Defense Fund.
• A racial/social justice, equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging (RS/JEDI+B) mindset.
• A “get it done,” results-driven, proactive attitude, capable of working independently and under pressure, ability to take initiative, set priorities, efficiently and effectively organize work, and manage multiple tasks simultaneously.

Type of work environment associated with the job

• Hybrid work environment, 3 days in Midtown Manhattan.
• Indoor office setting.
• Occasional travel.