Senior Program Associate, Vera Louisiana

The Senior Program Associate will be responsible for implementing Vera Louisiana's advocacy strategy, with a focus on policy change and programmatic investment at the parish and state-wide levels. They will collaborate with various stakeholders, including Vera Louisiana leadership, to develop and maintain advocacy plans that align with the office's strategic priorities. The role involves cultivating relationships with organizations, stakeholders, and elected officials, as well as advocating directly with government officials. Additionally, the Senior Program Associate will contribute to campaign materials, conduct policy research, and provide leadership within the organization.

• Lead Vera's Advocacy Campaigns
• Plan and implement Vera Louisiana's advocacy strategy
• Develop and manage campaign processes
• Represent Vera Louisiana's priorities within relevant coalitions and partnerships
• Cultivate, maintain, and grow relationships with statewide organizations, stakeholders, and elected officials
• Educate, build strong relationships, and advocate directly with elected officials and other government officials
• Collaborate with Vera Louisiana leadership on statewide technical assistance and advocacy efforts
• Collaborate with lobbyists as needed to execute on Vera Louisiana's campaign priorities and legislative agenda
• Draft fact sheets, talking points, testimony, model policies, legislative instrument language, and other campaign education and outreach materials
• Review and edit documents created by associate-level Vera Louisiana staff
• Collaborate with Vera Louisiana research staff to gather relevant data and sourcing
• Collaborate with Vera Communications department to produce relevant communications materials
• Monitor and analyze legislation, regulatory change, and associated news
• Monitor budget developments relevant to Vera Louisiana's advocacy and strategic priorities
• Provide relevant updates to the team based on research
• Propose strategies to influence government and elected officials
• Collaborate with Vera team members to develop model policies and legislative instruments
• Promote team's overall impact by building team leadership and knowledge
• Join with Vera's advocacy practice and learning community to share and workshop strategies and tactics for legislative campaigns
• Contribute to the professional development of colleagues
• Proven track record developing and executing effective legislative campaigns on criminal legal system reform or similar issues
• Bachelor's degree plus 4-7 years of legal, government, or policy work experience
• Ability and willingness to travel to, and within, Louisiana's 64 parishes with dedicated time in Baton Rouge during the legislative session
• Master's or law degree (preferred)
• Experience with the Louisiana Legislature (preferred)
• Experience engaging local and/or state governments and broad coalitions to build consensus on policy reform issues (preferred)
• Understanding of the Louisiana criminal legal system and reform landscape, existing relationships with criminal legal system reform advocates, and government partners (preferred)

• Proven track record developing and executing effective legislative campaigns on criminal legal system reform or similar issues
• Bachelor's degree plus 4-7 years of legal, government, or policy work experience (applicable work or lived experience may be considered in lieu of a bachelor's degree)
• Ability and willingness to travel up to 30% of the time, including dedicated time in Baton Rouge during the legislative session
• Master's or law degree preferred (applicable work or life experience may be considered in lieu of a master's or law degree)
• Experience with the Louisiana Legislature
• Experience engaging local and/or state governments and broad coalitions to build consensus on policy reform issues
• Understanding of the Louisiana criminal legal system and reform landscape, existing relationships with criminal legal system reform advocates, and government partners
• Strong communication and advocacy skills

• Compensation range of $91,500 - $96,500
• Merit pay
• Generous paid time off
• Comprehensive health insurance plan
• Student loan repayment benefits
• Professional development training opportunities
• Up to $2,000 annual for education costs and fees relevant to Vera work
• Employer-funded retirement plan
• Flexible time