Job | Policy Manager @ Drug Policy Alliance

Policy Manager at Drug Policy Alliance

The Policy Manager serves, with the State Director and the Deputy State Director of New York, in a leadership role in the New York Policy Office, developing and shaping strategy, goals, and communications efforts in New York. Responsibilities include developing and managing reform campaigns, including strategy, partnerships, materials and action plans; educating and lobbying elected officials and community leaders; supervising advocacy and communications work; speaking publicly and representing DPA in the media; and more. The Policy Manager also works with the larger DPA policy department to contribute to the development of DPA’s national policy agenda. The Policy Manager supervises junior level staff, NY Policy fellows, interns and volunteers. The Policy Manager reports to the State Director. This is an organization that encourages initiative, and the successful candidate must be a self-starter and a risk taker, with a high degree of confidence and energy. Excellent interpersonal skills and a passion for racial justice are essentials for success.

Broad Responsibilities Include:

• Managing state and municipal level legislative campaigns.
• Organizing NY residents and community groups in support of legalization of marijuana and decriminalization of other drugs.
• Meeting with and influencing NY legislators and community based groups.
• Educating the public and policymakers on the need to reduce racial disparities and treat drug use as a health issue instead of a criminal justice issue.

Primary Responsibilities Include:

• Co-manages, with the deputy director and director, DPA’s legislative and advocacy campaigns in New York, both statewide and in local jurisdictions;
• Builds statewide-level and municipality-based coalitions in support of major reform;
• Supports and strengthens team efforts across campaign areas;
• Seeks out and identifies opportunities to promote DPA’s core priorities in New York, including “push the envelope” discussions for drug policy reform and to implement strategies to achieve DPA’s goals and objectives throughout the state, particularly with respect to implementing coordinated drug strategies;
• Drafts and disseminates fact sheets, backgrounders, policy reports, and other materials;
• Creates and maintains solid relationships with diverse partners, including state agencies, community-based organizations, academics and researchers, businesspeople, elected officials, and local DPA members;
• Actively seeks to include people most impacted by the War on Drugs in policy campaigns and decision-making, such as people who use drugs, people in recovery, formerly incarcerated individuals, and their families;.
• Lobbies legislators, agency heads, and their staff on legislation, regulations, and policy issues;
• Contributes to DPA fundraising activities in New York;
• Serves as DPA’s spokesperson in the media and at community events, conferences, and other forums;
• Supervises junior staff, interns and fellows;
• Assists with the recruitment and training of student fellows, interns and volunteers;
• Plans policy forums, rallies, press conferences, and other events;
• Assists the State Director and Deputy State Director with annual budget and work plan development; and
• Performs other duties as required.

Qualifications:

At least five years’ experience in public policy advocacy, community organizing, and/or government relations; ideally in New York;

• Experience building and leading coalitions in pursuit of an activist agenda with measurable results;
• Experience supervising staff;
• Demonstrated ability to work with diverse partners, including community-based organizations and community members/constituents;
• Strong analytic ability and superior communication skills, including writing and public speaking to diverse audiences;
• Demonstrated commitment to racial justice and equity
• Availability to work evenings and weekends and to travel periodically throughout the state, region, and nationally
• Outstanding interpersonal skills, flexibility, creativity, curiosity and a good sense of humor
• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines;
• Familiarity with drug policy desirable; commitment to harm reduction and drug policy reform principles essential;
• Advanced degree in public policy/administration, public health, law or related field preferred;
• Fluency in Spanish preferred;
• Enthusiasm and motivation to lead on cutting-edge issues; and
• Entrepreneurial outlook;

Terms of Employment

This position requires the candidate to live in the New York Metropolitan area. Telecommuting will not be allowed. Some travel required.