Manager of State Policy

Title: Manager, State Policy

Position: Full-time staff position

Reports to: Director of Policy and Strategy

Staff Reporting to this Position: Project Associate 

Location: The work is primarily remote, but the employee must be based in the U.S. The organization is virtual-first, and is based in Washington, D.C. 

Salary: $80,000-90,000 based on experience

The nonpartisan, nonprofit Presidents’ Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration brings college and university leaders and campuses together on the immigration issues that impact higher education, our students, campuses, communities and nation. As the only national organization exclusively focused on the intersection of higher education and immigration, we work to support undocumented, international and refugee students, and advance forward-looking immigration policies and practices at the federal level, in our states, and across our college campuses. The Alliance is composed of 550+ college and university presidents and chancellors of public and private colleges and universities, enrolling over five million students in 43 states, D.C., and Puerto Rico.

Description of the Position:

The Presidents’ Alliance seeks a highly motivated, collaborative, and experienced individual to lead our state policy efforts. The Manager of State Policy will coordinate the Presidents’ Alliance state policy agenda related to undocumented students and other immigrant populations in higher education. This individual will manage policy tracking in various states and develop and implement other projects that support impacted student populations, educate higher education institutions and other stakeholders, and advance our policy priorities. The ideal candidate will have experience working in state or federal immigration policy, enjoy collaborating with diverse sets of  stakeholders, and possess excellent communication and organizational skills. 

Position Duties and Responsibilities

The Manager of State Policy will be the primary coordinator for the Presidents’ Alliance policy priorities in various states, working closely with the Director of Policy and Strategy and the State Policy Project Associate. Responsibilities include:

• Develop and implement the state policy agenda related to in-state tuition, state financial aid, and professional and occupational licensure for undocumented individuals and refugees.
• Work with the Project Associate to monitor and track state policy developments on the Higher Ed Immigration Portal and produce regular updates.
• Coordinate the State Equity Table, which brings together state, regional and local groups in support of expanding/defending in-state tuition, financial aid, and licensure eligibility policies impacting undocumented and refugee students and other individuals. 
• Build relationships with state partners, legislators, staff, campus representatives, and other key stakeholders to advance policy priorities.
• Work collaboratively with partners and coalitions to develop and execute effective policy campaigns.
• Conduct policy analysis and research to inform advocacy efforts.
• Draft policy briefs, fact sheets, and other materials to educate policymakers and stakeholders on key issues; and participate in legislative hearings and meetings regarding policy priorities. 
• Plan state-based events to expand access to tuition equity and licensure, including virtual briefings and webinars.
• Work with the Senior Manager of Communications to produce external communications materials about the Presidents’ Alliance’s state policy work and amplify state policy priorities, educational materials, and other resources through various mediums. 
• Serve as a spokesperson and presenter for the organization on state policy related matters. 

QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS 

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree in public policy, political science, law, or a related field preferred.
• Minimum of 5+ years of policy, advocacy, or direct service work experience supporting undocumented immigrant populations.
• Background or professional expertise in higher education policy issues encouraged. 
• Strong understanding of state legislative processes and advocacy strategies.
• Experience analyzing federal or state policies, and writing succinct policy summaries.
• Excellent time and project management skills, with the ability to prioritize work, deliver high-quality products, and meet multiple deadlines.
• Excellent writing and copy editing skills.
• Experience with Microsoft Office Suite, (Excel, Word, PPT), Google Suite, and Adobe required; experience with Quorum, Asana, Canva, Qualtrics welcomed; facility with varied social media platforms (Twitter, LinkedIn, Youtube, FB, Instagram) is a bonus
• Professional and lived experiences within the immigrant communities. Empathy and excellence in working with impacted populations, diverse teams, and on complex collaborative projects.
• Enthusiasm and experience with working with diverse teams and on collaborative projects.
• Willingness to travel as needed.

Workplace and Location

The Presidents’ Alliance office space is based at 740 15th Street N.W. Washington, D.C.; however, the work of the organization is conducted primarily remotely and provides staff with a great deal of flexibility. Individuals must be located in the U.S. Travel to various states, member campuses, conferences, and events is anticipated as part of this position.  

Position Structure, Salary, and Benefits

This full-time position is structured as a staff employee of the Presidents’ Alliance, which is a partner project of the National Center for Civic Innovation/Fund for the City of New York (NCCI/FCNY). The salary range for this manager position is $80,000 to $90,000. Compensation for the role will ultimately depend on several factors, including qualifications, skills, competencies, and experience.

The position comes with a very attractive benefits package. This includes 100% medical and dental insurance premium coverage for you and your dependents; fully covered life and long-term disability insurance; availability of pre-tax FSA (health care and dependent care) accounts; generous paid time off, including 20 vacation days, 12 paid holidays, 15 days of sick leave annually, and the opportunity to take an additional 10 days annually of paid leave for vacation, professional development or other reasons; and a 5% employee contribution to 401(k) plan matched by a 10% employer contribution. The Presidents’ Alliance also provides professional development opportunities for staff, a start-up laptop and office supplies package, and monthly $50 tech reimbursement for all employees. 

How To Apply:

Applications should consist of a cover letter, a current resume, and 1-3 page writing sample. Please submit applications here. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and the position will remain open till filled.