Lead Community Organizer, Public Policy and Strategy

Women In Need, Inc.•New York, NY

About The Position

Since its founding to provide emergency shelter to four homeless women and their children, Win has grown into the largest provider of family shelter and supportive housing in New York City. Win offers transitional shelter housing and permanent supportive housing that’s coupled with programs and services developed to support long-term housing stability. All of Win’s services are guided by its mission: to transform the lives of New York City homeless women and their children by providing safe housing, critical services, and groundbreaking programs they need to succeed on their own—so the women can regain their independence, and their children can look forward to a brighter future. The Lead Organizer plays a key role in advancing the Public Policy and Strategy Department's mission to end family homelessness by fostering partnerships, empowering community voices, and shaping advocacy efforts. This position supports coalition-building efforts and connects Win with thought leaders in housing and homelessness policy. Reporting to the VP of Public Policy and Strategy, the Lead Organizer works to engage Win’s clients and the broader community to elevate their voices and strengthen collaborative campaigns to address systemic issues impacting homeless families.

Requirements

At least three years of professional experience in community organizing, with a focus on low-income or homeless populations preferred.
Demonstrated success in leading coalitions, organizing large-scale events, and fostering partnerships with diverse stakeholders.
A strong commitment to social justice and addressing systemic barriers impacting unhoused individuals.
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to work with individuals from diverse backgrounds and build strong partnerships.
Proficiency in office software, including Microsoft Outlook, Canva, Word, Excel, Google Workspace apps, and Zoom.
Highly organized, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and maintain attention to detail.
Experience in public speaking, facilitation, and empowering community leaders.
Bachelor’s degree and/or related experience in an office setting.

Nice To Haves

Individuals with lived experience of homelessness are strongly encouraged to apply.

Responsibilities

Engage with Win clients and staff to facilitate advocacy efforts by recruiting testimonials and creating opportunities for their voices to influence policy.
Organize and facilitate policy-related events, rallies, and public forums in collaboration with partners and stakeholders.
Work closely with clients and staff to prepare for public speaking engagements and advocacy actions, ensuring impactful participation.
Coordinate transportation and logistics for events, rallies, and meetings to ensure smooth participation.
Identify and cultivate client leaders from program sites, equipping them with the skills and knowledge to participate in policymaking and advocacy efforts.
Design and deliver training sessions focused on policy education, leadership development, and public speaking.
Prepare clients and partners for lobbying efforts, including organizing lobby days and facilitating impactful meetings with policymakers.
Collaborate with the Policy and Advocacy team to align organizing efforts with existing client groups and broader organizational goals.
Support the development of strategies for campaigns and coalition-building efforts, reflecting on successes and areas for growth.
Regularly communicate with other Win departments to ensure alignment of advocacy initiatives with organizational priorities.
Participate in staff meetings, training, and development activities to align with organizational goals and values.
Maintain consistent communication with clients, partners, and stakeholders through email and other platforms.
Provide updates and feedback to the VP of Public Policy and Strategy on ongoing initiatives and client engagement.
Perform other duties as assigned to support Win’s advocacy and coalition-building efforts.