Senior Policy Manager

CHILDRENS DEFENSE FUND•New York, NY

4d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Children’s Defense Fund (CDF) envisions a nation where marginalized children flourish; leaders prioritize their well-being, and communities wield the power to ensure they thrive. The Children’s Defense Fund builds community, so young people grow up with dignity, hope, and joy. We serve and advocate for the largest, most diverse generation in America: the 74 million children and youth under the age of 18 and 30 million young adults under the age of 25, with particular attention to those living in poverty and communities of color. CDF partners with policymakers, aligned organizations, and funders in this service. The Children’s Defense Fund is the only national, multi-issue advocacy organization working at the intersection of child well-being and racial justice by wielding the moral authority of programmatic proximity and community organizing to inform public policy. For more information visit www.childrensdefense.org. The primary responsibilities of the Senior Policy Manager are to develop and execute strategies that center the voices of lived experience for advancing CDF’s policy priorities at the New York State level. The ideal candidate has a demonstrated commitment to racial justice and the well-being of all children, especially those in marginalized communities; experience analyzing city and state laws, regulations, and proposed bills; crafting public policy; conducting advocacy campaigns; and working with diverse coalitions to achieve desired outcomes. The individual should have extensive networks in the New York State policy community as well as experience building bases, coalitions, leading projects, and managing two or more colleagues as part of a small team as well as working with individuals directly impacted by the child welfare and youth justice systems. The Senior Policy Manager is a senior member of the CDF-NY team, responsible for developing and implementing statewide strategy for New York’s child welfare and youth justice policy agenda along with priority areas identified by communities. The Senior Policy Manager pursues this agenda with a laser focus on racial equity, rooted in CDF’s theory of change through movement building, proximity, and community and youth/family partnership. The ideal candidate will have a successful track record of building advocacy partnerships and leading strategy to advance policy and organizational change, including budget and legislative reforms, in the areas of child welfare and youth justice at the New York state and municipal levels.

Requirements

Advanced degree in a related field (e.g., bachelor’s degree plus public policy, law, social work) required.
Significant experience with and knowledge of the child welfare and youth justice field as well as key stakeholders, policies (federal, state and local) and the field’s advocacy, management and administration infrastructure in New York State.
Experience in developing and leading successful public policy advocacy, including centering the expertise of community members impacted regarding our issues of focus in New York State.
Experience supervising and developing junior staff.
Experience working with lobbyists, the media and collaborating on strategic communications and research partnerships.
Experience drafting legislation, and analyzing government budgets, legislation, and regulations.
Fundraising, prospecting, grant, and donor management.
7-10 years of progressively responsible experience in policy, organizing or advocacy, including in a supervisory role.
Excellent oral and written communication skills.
Strong organizational and project management skills.
The ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with impacted community members, high-level child sector professionals, elected officials, and system administrators.
Candor, sound judgment, and strong interpersonal skills.
Racial equity analysis and application in child welfare and youth justice systems.
Understanding the necessity for proximity to community to inform advocacy.
Passion for CDF's mission and purpose and ability to communicate this passion to others.
Ability to serve as an advocate and an example for the mission, vision, and values of the Children’s Defense Fund.
A racial/social justice, equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging (RS/JEDI+B) mindset.
A “get it done,” results-driven, proactive attitude, capable of working independently and under pressure, ability to take initiative, set priorities, efficiently and effectively organize work, and manage multiple tasks simultaneously.

Responsibilities

Direct and implement strategy to incorporate grassroots organizing and center the experience, expertise and partnership of impacted youth and families in statewide policy efforts, in collaboration with partner organizations and internally at CDF-NY.
Develop and lead coordinated statewide multi-year advocacy agendas in child welfare and youth justice along with priority areas identified by communities based on input from impacted children, youth, young adults, and community members, service providers and advocates, as well as research on best practices.
Create pathways and processes for federal, state and local advocacy that center the expertise and partnership of impacted children, youth, young adults, and community members from New York State in the work.
Draft and review state and local legislation, regulations, budgets, and relevant policy.
Participate in city, state and national working groups and in learning collaboratives related to child welfare and youth justice and other priority areas identified by communities in need across New York State.
Serve as a resource on child welfare and youth justice along with other priority areas within CDF, including for other state and national office colleagues, and collaborate on projects as appropriate.
Direct effective statewide strategic communications campaigns regarding CDF-NY’s child welfare and youth justice priorities.
Establish, develop and maintain effective coalition relationships and movement/base building with: New York State organizations serving children and families, advocates, research institutions, as well as elected officials, system administrators, legislative staff, executive agency leaders, attorneys, judges, service providers and other advocates.
CDF’s base across New York State, including children, youth, parents, community leaders, faith partners, and Freedom School partners.
Assess and develop new research and knowledge collaboratively with New York State community members, and establish new partnerships to support our advocacy.
Prepare and review other team members’ analyses and public comment, testimony and provide feedback on relevant New York State legislation, regulations, policy and budget commitments.
Regularly speak publicly about child welfare and youth justice with impacted community members, the press, elected officials, and other stakeholders in New York State.
Manage portfolio project budgets (with State Director and Operations Administrator).
Manage, provide mentorship, supervision and support advancement for Policy Associates, Organizers, interns, sub-grantees and contractors, as applicable.
Support the State Director in advancing the fund generation strategy in support of CDF-NY’s existing and future program portfolio from existing and new grant-makers who support the child welfare and youth justice portfolio.
Support relationship management with internal and external stakeholders, including representing CDF-NY in org-wide collaborations and convenings.
Engage as a senior staff member in CDF-NY's core capacity assessment for current and future organizational growth and stability.