Director of State and Local Policy

Director of State and Local Policy

Under the supervision of the Senior Director of Policy, the Director of State and Local Policy will lead the NYIC's state-level legislative and budgetary efforts. In addition, the Director of State and Local Policy will manage a policy portfolio to empower immigrant communities throughout New York City and New York State that may include issues of civic engagement, democracy, and/or economic justice. Finally, key duties will include leading state and local campaigns annually, managing relationships with external NYIC partners, and developing and coaching other NYIC staff in the legislative process, bill analysis, and budget analysis.

Core responsibilities

• Leads the NYIC's legislative and budgetary policy work for New York State, New York City, and other localities in New York, including:
• Policy development, bill drafting, legislative process, and legislative analysis
• Budget analysis, drafting, and the development of budget-related campaigns and asks
• Developing persuasive materials for and answering queries from electeds, personal staff, central staff, administrative staff, and others.
• Provides policy vision, leadership, and policy analysis for a policy portfolio on issues that may include:
• Expanding language access
• Strengthening voting and civic engagement
• Census-outreach funding and growing census education efforts
• Ensuring representative and appropriate data collection of immigrant communities
• Strengthening workforce development
• Bolstering economic security, and/or
• Expanding child care access.

• Supports an annual state advocacy campaign, and consults on state legislative and budget proposals for other advocacy campaigns, initiatives, or needs as appropriate.
• Contributes to the development and implementation of the campaigns that follow the organizational Blueprint to achieve immigrant-friendly legislation and win crucial local policy victories.
• Provides analysis of administrative rules, memos, and policies, as well as contributes to the development of draft administrative policy Writes policy memos, testimonies, comments for the record, op-eds, one-pagers, reports, and other materials that move forward the NYIC's policy priorities.

Additional duties

• Monitors policy developments within their portfolio area including:
• Effectively interpreting legislation, regulation, and policy;
• Leading rapid-response work (NYIC member briefings, talking points, press releases, etc), as required
• Evaluating legislation from other states for incorporation or adaptation into New York state law, as necessary; and
• Evaluating and recommending model local legislation for New York State municipalities as necessary.
• Provides subject matter expertise for hearings, testimonies, briefings, draft executive actions, and other initiatives, at the state and municipal level.
• Fosters internal and external relationships to support and strengthen both the NYIC and its policy agendas, and seeks opportunities to leverage relationships and find mutually beneficial solutions as related to the NYIC's Policy priorities.
• Coaches NYIC staff and builds policy team capacity for legislative analysis and budgetary analysis, as directed by Senior Director of Policy.
• Leads or co-leads rapid budget analyses for the Policy team (e.g. Governor's Executive Budget, Mayor's Executive Budget, One House, etc.)
• Effectively serves as a spokesperson for the NYIC and its campaigns, as necessary
• Supervises interns, fellows, or other staff as necessary
• May occasionally move or carry materials weighing up to 50 pounds.

Qualifications & Experience

• Minimum of 5 years of relevant professional experience, preferably in the nonprofit sector or in government, with at least two years in policy, legislative affairs, or a related area
• In-depth knowledge of the New York State legislative process and budget process
• Demonstrated expertise in legislative analysis, legislative drafting, and budget analysis, and willingness and capacity to coach others in these skills
• Strong knowledge of immigration policy and the issues facing diverse immigrant communities across New York State, particularly in civic engagement, democracy, and/or economic justice
• Strong analytic and research skills
• Proficiency in using legislative tracking and research tools
• Experience working with diverse coalitions and facilitating meetings with a wide range of stakeholders.

Skills & Competencies

• Experience working with diverse populations and a demonstrated commitment to immigrant services and social justice.
• Highly organized and detail-oriented, with the ability to manage tight deadlines, balance competing priorities, and adapt in a fast-paced, evolving environment.
• Strong interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills, including public speaking and the ability to translate complex issues into clear, accessible language.
• Collaborative team player who takes initiative and works effectively both independently and as part of a team.
• Demonstrated strategic thinking and strong problem-solving abilities.
• Proficiency with Google Workspace, presentation software (such as Canva), and project management tools (such as Asana or similar).
• Familiarity with the New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC), its members, and issues impacting immigrants in New York. Familiarity with the NYIC's policy blueprint strongly preferred.
• Fluency in a language commonly spoken in New York State strongly preferred

Annual salary: $95,481 ($3,978.37 per pay period)

In addition to a competitive salary, NYIC offers a full benefit plan, unlimited paid time off after 90 days of employment, Flexible spending account, commuter benefits and a comprehensive retirement plan.

*The NYIC has a transparent and equitable salary structure. Starting salaries for each position are set in advance with no room for negotiation.

To Apply: Interested candidates should send a resume, cover letter, to BREEZY

All qualified applicants will be afforded equal employment opportunities without discrimination based on race, creed, color, national origin, immigration status or citizenship, sex, age, disability or marital status.

Deadline: Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and we are looking for someone to start as soon as possible. No phone calls or emails will be accepted for this position.