Director of Policy & Communications

Do you want an impactful career AND quality time with your family or to pursue your hobbies

You can have both by joining Empire Justice Center as Director of Policy & Communications!

Organization Information

Empire Justice Center a diverse and highly respected statewide legal services organization seeks a Development Manager for our Operations team. This is an opportunity to join and grow in one of the most influential organizations serving marginalized low-income individuals and families in New York State.

Empire Justice Center attracts and employs a diverse team of dedicated determined and passionate advocates who significantly impact the lives of low-income New Yorkers. We succeed through direct legal representation high-impact litigation and legislative and administrative advocacy. As an organization we provide top-notch training and technical assistance to other advocates to ensure fairness and justice for New Yorkers. We thrive on our commitment to supporting justice for populations that have historically experienced severe oppression. These populations include racially diverse individuals and families experiencing poverty housing insecurity immigration issues and domestic violence. Additionally the organization advocates for people with disabilities members of the LGBTQ community and school-age children facing discrimination and violations of their civil rights in schools.

Our offices in Rochester Albany Westchester County and Long Island offer staff an exciting dynamic inclusive working environment with a solid commitment to work/life balance teamwork diversity wellness and personal/professional development.

Position Summary

The Director of Policy and Communications is responsible for leading policygovernment and media relations for Empire Justice Center. This includes providingleadership internally and externally advancing Empire Justice Centers active policyadvocacy and government relations and media relations strategies and initiativesproviding strategic input in these areas to coalitions and legislative campaigns andkeeping Empire Justice Center focused on high-impact systemic change and access tojustice for marginalized communities in areas outside New York City. This is a criticalrole for Empire Justice Center and it reports to the Chief Executive Officer. This position will develop and implement a proactive state policy agenda based on Empire Justice

Centers client work through a team-based approach with direct supervisees andEmpire Justice Centers staff who have substantive expertise or work with clients andother organizations serving client communities. Youll also enjoy:

Salary

The referenced pay range/scale represents this jobs estimated minimum and maximumcompensation. Individual annual salaries/hourly rates will be set within the jobs compensationrange and determined by factors including but not limited to education experiencequalifications the individuals expertise market data and internal equity considerations.

The salary range for this position is $113978-$125000.00

Benefits

We are an organization that supports and promotes a healthy work-life balance. Empire Justice Center offers a generous benefit package including:

• 35-hour full-time work week.
• Comprehensive health insurance plan.
• 403(b) with employer contributions (eligible after 12 months)
• Generous vacation sick personal time
• 13 Paid Holidays
• Office Closure between Christmas Day and New Years Day
• Loan Repayment Assistance Program for qualifying employees.
• $2000 Bilingual salary enhancement for qualifying employees.
• Generous Bereavement Leave.
• Employee Wellness Activities.
• Voluntary Supplemental Disability.
• Dental Insurance (employee paid).
• Vision Insurance (employee paid).
• Group Term Life Insurance.
• NYS Short-Term Disability.
• FSA Eligibility.

Empire Justice Center is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer and strongly desires a diverse and inclusive workforce. Empire Justice Center provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants. It prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type specifically - race color religion age sex (including pregnancy and gender identity) national origin disability status genetics neurodiversity protected veteran status sexual orientation gender identity or expression or any other characteristic protected by federal state or local laws.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Travel to and work in the Albany office is required to meet client and organizationalneeds.

o This position is eligible for a hybrid work request under the organizational policy.

Participate in Leadership and Management meetings and assume responsibilities relative tomanagement as they arise.

Implement the 360-degree approach of identifying emerging issues derived from directservice representation engaging in education of the community and practitioners andadvocating for policy changes when appropriate.

Supervise and mentor the staff of the Policy and Communications Team.

Through policy advocacy focus on high-impact systemic change and access to justice formarginalized communities outside New York City.

Work collaboratively with Empire Justice staff doing substantive policy work in seven practicegroups to advance a myriad of progressive policies benefiting low-income and marginalizedcommunities.

Through budget advocacy secures funding for Empire Justice programs individually andstatewide.

Work collaboratively with Empire Justice Center development staff on government fundinginitiatives.

Develop robust government relations strategies with the legislature and the ExecutiveChamber and ensure continued presence in Albany governmental institutions.

Responsible for oversight of policy and government relations at all levels: federal statecounty and municipal.

Work extensively with other legal and social services providers and coalitions to advocate forsystemic change benefiting low-income communities and expansion of state funding for clientlegal services.

Work with the Chief Legal Officer or their designee to ensure compliance with all state andfederal lobbying rules and regulations and all necessary reporting requirements.

Provide leadership and oversight mentoring in media relations and communications workingwith the Communications and Public Relations Manager. This includes proactive mediareleases and story placement op-eds and other tools that raise awareness of Empire JusticeCenters work and advance narratives that support policy and budget advocacy andfundraising.

Occasionally serve as the spokesperson for Empire Justice Center including testifying athearings speaking with the press at events and conferences.

Monitor developments in New York and federal law relating to subjects that impact low income New Yorkers to enhance Empire Justice Centers policy positions and agenda.

Provide vision and leadership and review communications addressing policy matters issuedby Empire Justice Center including monthly newsletters.

With the Senior Marketing Manager and marketing staff develop strategies for promoting andpublicizing Empire Justice Centers achievements and initiatives via marketing platforms.

Assist in preparing staff for testimonies before the New York State Legislature and attendLegislature hearings.

Develop the annual legislative policy agenda for Empire Justice Center.

Develop and implement strategies and opportunities for written and oral communicationsconcerning Empire Justice Centers policy agenda.

Must demonstrate a high level of comfort and commitment to working with people frommarginalized communities.

Work closely with the assigned supervisor and participate in regular supervision meetingsincluding work plan development and grant deliverable management.

Ability to work in the office and the community as determined by the supervisor.

Ability to travel occasionally as needed.

Please note that all positions will supervise other Policy and Communications Team members

if needed.

Due to limited resources all staff are expected to perform administrative and other support related duties to serve our clients and fulfill our mission as a non-profit legal servicesorganization.

Other duties as assigned by the supervisor and/or to meet the organizations needs.

Minimum Qualification (Knowledge Skills and Abilities)

At least 7 years of policy and communications experience including campaign developmentand coalition leadership.

A demonstrated history and commitment to achieving positive systemic change andexpanding protections for low-income and marginalized persons through policy advocacy.

Proven supervisory and leadership skills in a policy/government relations/communicationsrole.

Project management experience in assessing identifying and implementing programmingbased on the organizations needs.

Ability to shift priorities while working in a fast-paced environment with multiple competingobjectives.

Effective decision-making skills that balance organizational and leadership objectives withemployee needs.

Effective interpersonal skills and the ability to cultivate partnerships and to work with adiverse workforce.

An ability to work independently and create and develop programs and initiatives.

Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Extensive experience with NYS legislative and budget process including engagement inlegislative advocacy and campaign development and leadership.

Demonstrated excellence in utilizing the Microsoft 365 (Outlook Word Excel SharePointPowerPoint) with the ability to learn and adapt to other applications quickly.

Must demonstrate strong communication skills including proficiency in technology thatfacilitates the delivery of communication documents and other materials.

Practice effective time management and demonstrate an ability to meet deadlines.

Strong writing presentation and public communication skills.

Skilled in problem management.

Strong organizational skills.

Physical and Mental Requirements:

Creative and strategic approach to problem solving.

Preferred Qualifications:

Masters degree in policy communications or other relevant field.

Experience with managing JCOPE reporting

Experience working in social services social justice legal services or other similar nonprofitenvironments.

TO APPLY: Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. If interested please visit ourWork With Us employment page on our website at . Please submit acomplete application including a resume writing sample and contact information for threeprofessional references (one supervisor is required). Please refrain from making phone calls orsending hard copies. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Empire Justice Center is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer and strongly desiresa diverse and inclusive workforce. Empire Justice Center provides equal employmentopportunities to all employees and applicants. It prohibits discrimination and harassment of anytype specifically - race color religion age sex (including pregnancy and gender identity)national origin disability status genetics neurodiversity protected veteran status sexualorientation gender identity or expression or any other characteristic protected by federal stateor local laws.

If reasonable accommodations are needed please contact Mercedece Love Human Resources and Compliance Manager at Empire Justice Center is committedto the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment Empire Justice Centerensures that persons with disabilities and/or communication barriers have reasonable

accommodations