Director of Policy & Communications

Empire Justice Center•Albany, NY

4d•Hybrid

About The Position

Empire Justice Center, a statewide legal services organization, seeks a Director of Policy & Communications. This role is an opportunity to join and grow in one of the most influential organizations serving marginalized low-income individuals and families in New York State. Empire Justice Center attracts and employs a diverse team of dedicated, determined, and passionate advocates who significantly impact the lives of low-income New Yorkers. We succeed through direct legal representation, high-impact litigation, and legislative and administrative advocacy. As an organization, we provide top-notch training and technical assistance to other advocates to ensure fairness and justice for New Yorkers. We thrive on our commitment to supporting justice for populations that have historically experienced severe oppression. These populations include racially diverse individuals and families experiencing poverty, housing insecurity, immigration issues, and domestic violence. Additionally, the organization advocates for people with disabilities, members of the LGBTQ community, and school-age children facing discrimination and violations of their civil rights in schools. Our offices in Rochester, Albany, Westchester County, and Long Island offer staff an exciting, dynamic, inclusive working environment with a solid commitment to work/life balance, teamwork, diversity, wellness, and personal/professional development. The Director of Policy and Communications is responsible for leading policy, government, and media relations for Empire Justice Center. This includes providing leadership internally and externally, advancing Empire Justice Center’s active policy advocacy and government relations and media relations strategies and initiatives, providing strategic input in these areas to coalitions and legislative campaigns, and keeping Empire Justice Center focused on high-impact systemic change and access to justice for marginalized communities in areas outside New York City. This is a critical role for Empire Justice Center, and it reports to the Chief Executive Officer. This position will develop and implement a proactive state policy agenda based on Empire Justice Center’s client work, through a team-based approach, with direct supervisees and Empire Justice Center’s staff who have substantive expertise or work with clients and other organizations serving client communities.

Requirements

At least 7 years of policy and communications experience, including campaign development and coalition leadership.
A demonstrated history and commitment to achieving positive systemic change and expanding protections for low-income and marginalized persons through policy advocacy.
Proven supervisory and leadership skills in a policy/government relations/communications role.
Project management experience in assessing, identifying, and implementing programming based on the organization's needs.
Ability to shift priorities while working in a fast-paced environment with multiple competing objectives.
Effective decision-making skills that balance organizational and leadership objectives with employee needs.
Effective interpersonal skills and the ability to cultivate partnerships and to work with a diverse workforce.
An ability to work independently and create and develop programs and initiatives.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Extensive experience with NYS legislative and budget process, including engagement in legislative advocacy and campaign development and leadership.
Demonstrated excellence in utilizing the Microsoft 365 (Outlook, Word, Excel, SharePoint, PowerPoint), with the ability to learn and adapt to other applications quickly.
Must demonstrate strong communication skills, including proficiency in technology that facilitates the delivery of communication, documents, and other materials.
Practice effective time management and demonstrate an ability to meet deadlines.
Strong writing, presentation, and public communication skills.
Skilled in problem management.
Strong organizational skills.
Creative and strategic approach to problem solving.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in policy, communications, or other relevant field.
Experience with managing JCOPE reporting
Experience working in social services, social justice, legal services, or other similar nonprofit environments.

Responsibilities

Travel to and work in the Albany office is required to meet client and organizational needs.
This position is eligible for a hybrid work request under the organizational policy.
Participate in Leadership and Management meetings and assume responsibilities relative to management as they arise.
Implement the 360-degree approach of identifying emerging issues derived from direct service representation, engaging in education of the community and practitioners, and advocating for policy changes when appropriate.
Supervise and mentor the staff of the Policy and Communications Team.
Through policy advocacy, focus on high-impact systemic change and access to justice for marginalized communities outside New York City.
Work collaboratively with Empire Justice staff doing substantive policy work in seven practice groups to advance a myriad of progressive policies benefiting low-income and marginalized communities.
Through budget advocacy, secures funding for Empire Justice programs individually and statewide.
Work collaboratively with Empire Justice Center development staff on government funding initiatives.
Develop robust government relations strategies with the legislature and the Executive Chamber and ensure continued presence in Albany governmental institutions.
Responsible for oversight of policy and government relations at all levels: federal, state, county, and municipal.
Work extensively with other legal and social services providers and coalitions to advocate for systemic change benefiting low-income communities and expansion of state funding for client legal services.
Work with the Chief Legal Officer or their designee to ensure compliance with all state and federal lobbying rules and regulations and all necessary reporting requirements.
Provide leadership and oversight, mentoring in media relations and communications, working with the Communications and Public Relations Manager. This includes proactive media releases and story placement, op-eds, and other tools that raise awareness of Empire Justice Center's work and advance narratives that support policy and budget advocacy and fundraising.
Occasionally serve as the spokesperson for Empire Justice Center, including testifying at hearings, speaking with the press, at events, and conferences.
Monitor developments in New York and federal law relating to subjects that impact low income New Yorkers to enhance Empire Justice Center’s policy positions and agenda.
Provide vision and leadership and review communications addressing policy matters issued by Empire Justice Center, including monthly newsletters.
With the Senior Marketing Manager and marketing staff, develop strategies for promoting and publicizing Empire Justice Center’s achievements and initiatives via marketing platforms.
Assist in preparing staff for testimonies before the New York State Legislature and attend Legislature hearings.
Develop the annual legislative policy agenda for Empire Justice Center.
Develop and implement strategies and opportunities for written and oral communications concerning Empire Justice Center’s policy agenda.
Must demonstrate a high level of comfort and commitment to working with people from marginalized communities.
Work closely with the assigned supervisor and participate in regular supervision meetings, including work plan development, and grant deliverable management.
Ability to work in the office and the community, as determined by the supervisor.
Ability to travel occasionally, as needed.
All positions will supervise other Policy and Communications Team members if needed.
Due to limited resources, all staff are expected to perform administrative and other support related duties to serve our clients and fulfill our mission as a non-profit legal services organization.
Other duties as assigned by the supervisor and/or to meet the organization’s needs.