Senior Strategist, Federal Advocacy, Advocacy & Partnerships

Vera Institute of Justice•Washington, DC

6d•$105,000 - $110,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Senior Strategist, Federal Advocacy is a member of Vera’s Advocacy & Partnerships department and advances Vera’s federal policy priorities while defending against federal actions that threaten them. The position develops and executes strategies related to legislation, federal budgets and appropriations, administrative policies, and other federal policy changes aligned with Vera’s goals. It monitors and analyzes federal developments, identifies opportunities and risks, influences decision-makers, and builds relationships with congressional offices, federal agencies, advocacy organizations, and other stakeholders. The role leads assigned federal policy priorities and helps determine when and how Vera should engage in legislative, appropriations, regulatory, and administrative processes. It works with movement and coalition partners to build power and advance shared goals, and collaborates with Vera policy, research, communications, and other staff. Vera’s federal advocacy includes evidence-based approaches to safety, accountability, and justice, as well as immigration priorities such as accountability for federal immigration enforcement, access to deportation defense and universal legal representation, and opposing expansion of DHS’s power. The position reports to Vera’s Washington, DC office. Vera employees follow a hybrid schedule, working in the office on an alternating schedule that generally amounts to 10 days per month. The role is part of a bargaining unit represented by the Association of Legal Aid Attorneys (ALAA) UAW 2325.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree and at least 4 years of relevant experience; applicable work or life experience may be considered in lieu of the degree.
Demonstrated experience working on criminal justice, immigration, public safety, or related public policy issues.
At least 3 years of experience planning and leading federal advocacy campaigns, including managing complex campaigns and projects from strategy development through implementation.
Experience developing and implementing advocacy strategies involving multiple stakeholders, decision-makers, and advocacy partners.
Demonstrated ability to analyze political and policy developments and translate them into advocacy strategy.
Experience developing advocacy materials, including legislative recommendations, talking points, policy briefs, testimony, congressional materials, and other advocacy communications.
Strong knowledge of federal advocacy strategy, policymaking, and power building.
Understanding of Congress and the federal legislative process, including congressional committees, legislative vehicles, hearings, and congressional decision-making.
Understanding of federal budget, appropriations, and administrative processes.
Strong political and strategic judgment, including the ability to identify opportunities, anticipate challenges, assess political dynamics, and adapt strategies.
Ability to develop and maintain relationships with congressional offices, federal agencies, coalition partners, and other external stakeholders.
Ability to research, synthesize, and clearly communicate complex policy and political information.
Excellent writing, oral communication, and presentation skills.
Ability to issue-spot and solve problems across federal policy and advocacy strategy, and proactively develop tactics, resources, and tools.
Ability to prioritize and manage multiple activities in a fast-paced environment.
Ability to work collaboratively with a national team while independently managing responsibilities and external relationships.
Ability to work effectively in a highly collaborative and politically dynamic environment.
Deep commitment to Vera’s mission to end mass incarceration, fight for immigrant rights, bring dignity to people behind bars, and help build safe, thriving communities.

Nice To Haves

At least 3 years of issue advocacy and community organizing experience.
Experience building or leading coalitions in partnership with national, grasstops, and grassroots organizations.
Experience working directly with congressional offices, congressional committees, federal agencies, or other federal policymakers.
Experience with federal appropriations, budget advocacy, or fiscal policy.
Experience developing or advancing federal legislation, regulations, executive actions, or administrative policy.
Experience working on criminal legal system or immigration policy at the federal level.
At least 2 years of electoral political experience and organizing experience.

Responsibilities

Develop and execute federal advocacy strategies for Vera’s core issues and policy priorities, including legislation and policy change related to safety, accountability, and justice.
Manage assigned federal advocacy campaigns from strategy development through implementation, coordinating tactics, timelines, partners, and deliverables.
Develop and execute bipartisan congressional strategies by identifying decision-makers, committees, legislative opportunities, and champions, and building relationships with congressional offices and federal policymakers.
Lead or support development, drafting, tracking, and advancement of federal legislation, including shaping bill language and supporting efforts to secure congressional support.
Develop and execute federal budget and appropriations advocacy strategies, track the process, identify funding priorities and threats, develop requests and recommendations, and engage relevant congressional offices and committees.
Identify and pursue opportunities to influence federal regulations, executive actions, agency policies, guidance, and other administrative decisions.
Monitor federal legislative, budgetary, regulatory, administrative, and political developments and assess implications for Vera’s priorities and advocacy strategy.
Translate political and policy intelligence into actionable recommendations, identifying strategic openings, risks, and appropriate moments for engagement.
Develop advocacy materials, including policy briefs, talking points, legislative recommendations, congressional materials, testimony, sign-on letters, and other communications.
Collaborate with the Director of Federal Advocacy and Chief Advocacy Officer to determine where Vera should engage, lead, partner, or remain outside federal campaigns and policy debates.
Build and maintain strategic relationships with national advocacy organizations, movement partners, grasstops and grassroots organizations, congressional offices, federal agencies, and other stakeholders.
Identify, develop, and participate in federal coalitions and help implement joint advocacy strategies with coalition and movement partners.
Represent Vera in strategically important federal advocacy meetings, coalitions, briefings, congressional meetings, policy discussions, and other external spaces.
Coordinate with national movement partners to identify opportunities for collective action and build support for federal policy priorities.
Support strategic communications and public advocacy efforts designed to build momentum for federal policy change.
Serve as a strategic connector between Vera and federal advocacy networks to identify and respond to emerging opportunities.
Produce concise, timely analysis and recommendations for Vera leadership and Advocacy & Partnerships colleagues on significant federal developments and advocacy opportunities.
Develop and maintain systems for tracking federal legislation, appropriations, regulatory and administrative developments, congressional activity, key relationships, coalition activity, and campaign progress.
Collaborate with Vera policy, research, communications, and other staff so that federal advocacy strategies draw on Vera’s research, expertise, and policy analysis.