Advocacy and Policy Manager

Center for Disability & Elder Law • Chicago, IL

109d • $55,000 - $70,000

About The Position

The Center for Disability & Elder Law (CDEL) provides free legal services to low-income older adults and persons with disabilities. CDEL’s clients, individuals often marginalized by age, disability and poverty, may have difficulty accessing the legal system. CDEL strives to provide access to the legal system to assist our clients in asserting their legal rights and live better lives. CDEL seeks a highly relational and skilled manager, responsible for forming and sustaining trustworthy and meaningful partnerships to lead CDEL’s advocacy and policy efforts. The Advocacy and Policy Manager will support CDEL’s policy initiatives and legislative agenda while also building coalitions and providing education. The Advocacy and Policy Manager is expected to participate in a hybrid experience, with a combination of remote work and in-person work. Intermittent travel to off-site locations will be required.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required. Master’s degree or JD preferred.
• At least 3 years in a senior role in one of the following fields: aging or disabilities, social services, housing, community organizing, or policy advocacy.
• Strong knowledge, community connections, and experience in working with communities that CDEL serves.
• Demonstrated commitment to CDEL’s target population and social justice.
• Advocacy, policy creation, community organizing, coalition building, legislative monitoring, or related experience.
• Significant demonstrated professional experience in writing, speaking publicly, and delivering high impact presentations.
• Willingness to work a flexible schedule.

Nice To Haves

• Effective management and team building skills; able to build rapport, align staff to shared goals, and create accountability.
• Excellent written and verbal skills and interpersonal skills.
• Strong organizational skills and project management skills, with the ability to manage matters with deadlines and communicate with multiple stakeholders.
• Excellent people skills, communication skills, and public speaking skills.
• Ability to adapt and be flexible.
• Detail-oriented.
• Creative and innovative approach to solving problems.
• Comfortable with CDEL’s client base, including working with older adults and persons with disabilities.
• Enjoys engaging with clients, community partners and other staff.

Responsibilities

• Represent CDEL in local and statewide coalitions to promote CDEL’s mission.
• Coordinate with partner organizations to develop strategies and implement tactics.
• Draft content for educational materials for key stakeholders.
• Contribute to educational presentations, fact sheets, social media assets, and other assigned deliverables.
• Communicate CDEL priorities through public speaking and other outreach.
• Organize and conduct events with decision-makers and key stakeholders.
• Write, analyze, and track legislation and ordinances.
• Develop policy expertise in issue areas as assigned, including an understanding of current legislation and a comparison to laws in other locations.
• Build relationships with relevant stakeholders.
• Contribute to fundraising efforts, including grant applications and foundation reporting.
• Maintain databases and tracking systems for policy issues, legislative contacts, and advocacy activities.
• Assist in organizing and scheduling meetings with legislators, coalition partners, and other stakeholders.
• Other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Salary range: $55,000 - $70,000, depending on experience.
• Full-time position.
• CDEL offers a comprehensive benefits package including health/dental/vision insurance, life insurance, short term and long term disability insurance.
• CDEL also has a generous personal time off policy.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree
• Number of Employees: 1-10 employees