Senior Policy Manager or Policy Director

Association of University Centers on Disabilities•Washington, DC

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

AUCD, a national disability nonprofit organization, is seeking a Senior Policy Manager or Policy Director, depending on experience, to formulate and implement internal and external partnerships focused on legislative and federal advocacy, sponsorship relationships, and external communications. As a member of the senior leadership team, this position works closely with the Executive Director, Board of Directors, and Public Policy Committee to educate the AUCD network and stakeholders about the network's work, mission, and priorities. The role analyzes the effects of federal and state legislation and regulatory changes on member centers, people with disabilities, and their families. It builds relationships with Members of Congress and their staff, federal agencies, AUCD network members, the disability community, and corporate partners; prepares Congressional testimony; communicates AUCD's positions; and pursues funding to support policy initiatives. The position also mentors and directs policy staff, project teams, and emerging leaders. The position is based in the Washington, DC metropolitan area and operates under AUCD's hybrid structure. Employees based in Washington, DC are expected to work in the office one to three days per week and remotely on other days. Regular in-person meetings on Capitol Hill or at other policy meetings, as well as required local and national travel, are part of the role.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in social science, education, administration, public policy, law, or a related field.
For the Senior Policy Manager role: at least five years of progressive, related experience in public policy, law, or legislative advocacy related to disability issues, and at least two years managing direct reports or project teams.
For the Policy Director role: at least eight years of progressive, related experience in public policy, law, or legislative advocacy related to disability issues, and at least five years managing direct reports or project teams and leading policy strategy.
Demonstrated experience working with people with disabilities, including intellectual disabilities, and people from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds.
In-depth knowledge of federal legislative and executive regulatory processes, particularly federal budget and appropriations mechanisms.
Expertise in bipartisan advocacy across disability policy, health, education, employment, and social services.
Ability to translate complex policy into plain-language materials for diverse audiences.
Ability to think strategically, assess emerging opportunities and threats, and formulate proactive responses.
Strong written, verbal, organizational, time-management, attention-to-detail, and project-management skills.
Commitment to AUCD's mission, accessibility, and inclusion.
Ability to work in the Washington, DC metropolitan area, attend regular in-person policy meetings, and travel locally and nationally as required.

Nice To Haves

Master's degree or Juris Doctor (JD).
Direct experience working in the U.S. Congress, U.S. administration, or state government.
Direct experience working with children and adults with disabilities and their families.
Familiarity with the capacity and national structure of UCEDDs, LENDs, and IDDRCs, and with higher education settings.
Deep knowledge of federal funding agencies such as ACL, HRSA, NIH, and CDC.
An established network within national disability, health, and education coalitions.
Experience and understanding of higher education settings.

Responsibilities

Develop and execute policy and governmental relations strategies, ensuring that people with lived experience are heard and represented in advocacy.
Represent AUCD on Capitol Hill, within the national disability community, and with corporate and agency partners.
Develop and maintain routine relationships with members of UCEDDs, LENDs, and IDDRCs.
Communicate policy positions through briefing papers, Congressional testimony, AUCD publications, online platforms, and internal and external briefings.
Identify, monitor, and analyze legislative and regulatory developments and trends.
Collaborate with internal team leaders to incorporate policy education into funded projects and member-center communications.
Serve as lead staff liaison to the Public Policy Committee or other network groups, and report policy developments to the Board of Directors.
Pursue unrestricted funding sources and grant opportunities to support organizational strength and policy activities.
Mentor and direct policy staff, project teams, and emerging leaders.
Supervise one full-time Senior Advocacy Specialist, including coordinating work, conducting performance evaluations, recommending personnel decisions, and enforcing organizational policies.
Travel locally and nationally as required to perform essential functions and represent AUCD.