Director of Policy & Coalition Building

Public Counsel•Los Angeles, CA

6h•$135,000 - $165,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Director of Policy & Coalition Building provides strategic leadership for Public Counsel’s policy advocacy and coalition-building efforts across the organization. Reporting to the Vice President, Chief Advocacy Officer, the Director works with program leaders and staff to identify policy priorities, coordinate existing policy work, and develop systems that help the organization use its expertise and resources effectively. The role builds relationships with community organizations, coalitions, policymakers, and other partners; provides policy advocacy guidance and technical assistance; and connects policy work with direct services and impact litigation. The Director collaborates with the Directors of Litigation and Pro Bono, Communications and Development teams, and other organizational leaders to advance policy goals and visibility. The position also strengthens internal policy systems and staff capacity, supports coalition and community-centered advocacy, monitors policy developments, and represents Public Counsel in external settings. Public Counsel is a nonprofit public interest law firm focused on civil rights, racial and economic justice, direct legal services, community outreach, litigation, and policy advocacy. The organization has approximately 170 staff and is generally office-based; employees are required to work in the office at least one day per week, with the exact requirements subject to department discretion and leadership review.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required; an advanced degree in public policy, law, public administration, communications, or a related field is preferred.
At least 10 years of progressively responsible experience in policy advocacy, legislative affairs, government relations, coalition building, public affairs, community organizing, or a related field, including substantial experience leading policy initiatives.
Significant experience navigating legislative and/or policy processes at the federal, state, or local level.
Demonstrated experience developing, advancing, or leading legislation, policy campaigns, regulatory advocacy, or other significant policy initiatives.
Significant experience collaborating with and building trusting relationships with community organizations, grassroots advocates, coalitions, elected officials, legislative staff, and other external stakeholders.
Strong organizational and project-management skills, including developing systems, setting priorities, tracking multiple projects and deadlines, and coordinating complex work across teams.
Inspiring, collaborative, transparent, inclusive, and approachable leadership style.
Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to translate complex legal, technical, or policy issues into clear, accessible messages for different audiences.
Ability to assess existing policy work, identify gaps and opportunities, and develop practical systems and strategies to improve coordination and effectiveness.
Strong strategic judgment, including distinguishing opportunities Public Counsel should lead, support, monitor, or decline to pursue.
Strong meeting facilitation, consensus-building, diplomacy, and conflict-management skills.
Ability to work cooperatively across teams, levels, and functions and build trust among colleagues with varied experience and expertise, including through technical assistance and mentorship.
Demonstrated commitment to racial and economic justice and to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace and communities served.
High emotional intelligence and cultural competency, including curiosity, self-awareness, awareness of bias, compassion, patience, willingness to listen, a growth mindset, and openness to new perspectives.

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree in public policy, law, public administration, communications, or a related field.
Experience working across multiple levels of government.
Spanish-language proficiency.

Responsibilities

Develop and advance a coordinated organizational approach to policy advocacy that supports Public Counsel’s mission, systems change, and the expertise of legal teams and staff.
Assess and organize existing policy work; identify opportunities for coordination and joint advocacy; and establish systems to track, share, and report policy activity and outcomes.
Work with legal team leaders and staff to identify policy priorities and strategies that leverage Public Counsel’s expertise and resources.
Develop and maintain internal policy advocacy guidelines, tools, resources, and processes for organizational positions and compliance, lobbying, and disclosure requirements.
Convene and facilitate cross-team policy working groups and other forums to promote information-sharing, collaboration, and coordinated advocacy.
Advise leadership and staff on policy strategy, including how advocacy can complement direct services and strategic litigation.
Build and maintain relationships with grassroots organizations, community leaders, coalition partners, policymakers, government officials, and staff.
Advance community-centered coalition building that supports community-led initiatives and incorporates partner priorities into Public Counsel’s strategies.
Identify and cultivate opportunities for Public Counsel to participate in, lead, or support coalitions and policy campaigns consistent with organizational priorities.
Guide and support staff in developing and maintaining external policy relationships and navigating political and coalition dynamics.
Represent Public Counsel’s policy priorities to policymakers, coalition partners, community organizations, funders, media, and other external audiences.
Build relationships with pro bono, academic, and other partners to expand expertise and capacity for policy advocacy.
Provide technical assistance to staff in identifying policy opportunities, developing proposals, and crafting legislative and administrative advocacy strategies.
Monitor and analyze relevant federal, state, and local legislation, regulations, and policy developments and assess implications for clients, communities, and organizational priorities.
Support development of legislation, policy proposals, comment letters, testimony, public comments, policy briefs, and other advocacy materials.
Work with staff and coalition partners to develop and advance policy campaigns, including legislative, administrative, and other advocacy strategies.
Help ensure policy positions are coordinated, consistent with organizational priorities, and informed by client and community perspectives.
Partner with Communications to translate complex policy issues into clear, accessible messages and elevate the visibility and impact of policy advocacy.
Identify policy-related training and capacity-building needs and develop or facilitate training, mentorship, and resources to strengthen staff advocacy skills.
Develop and improve systems, tools, and processes that make policy advocacy more efficient, coordinated, and accessible to staff.
Work with organizational leadership and Development to identify funding opportunities and strengthen grants and other support for policy advocacy and coalition-building.
Collaborate with Communications, Development, and other teams to advance policy priorities and external visibility.
Represent Public Counsel at conferences, panels, community forums, meetings with elected officials, and other public and professional settings.
Contribute to organizational leadership and agency-wide initiatives advancing equity, inclusion, racial and economic justice, and community-centered advocacy.

Benefits

Medical coverage, including an option for 100% employer-paid premiums for employees and dependent children; buy-up HMO and PPO options are available.
Dental and vision coverage.
Flexible Spending Account enrollment option.
Employer-paid life insurance and disability plans.
15 accrued vacation days per year, increasing to 20 days after 3 years of employment.
12 accrued sick days per year for physical and mental health needs.
2 personal observance days.
11 paid holidays and two one-week office closures during summer and winter.
Up to 60 hours of compensatory time per calendar year for exempt staff.
403(b) retirement plan with elective employee contributions and a discretionary employer contribution after one year of employment.
Free on-site parking or public transportation reimbursement.
$45 per pay period for employees who use non-English language skills to perform work duties.
Up to 6 months of parental leave.
Organizational and team wellness activities.
Professional development support and opportunities.
Annual payment of dues for required licenses or certifications and for a mutually agreed-upon professional organization.