Assistant Director of Immigration Policy (Advocacy, Legislative)

Job Description

Job DescriptionBenefits:

• Employee Assistance Program
• Generous PTO Package
• Fitness/Wellness Stipend
• Flex Spending Account
• Long-Term Care Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Short-Term Disability Insurance
• 401(k)
• Competitive salary
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Home office stipend
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Profit sharing
• Training & development
• Vision insurance
• Wellness resources

Organizational Profile: Asian Americans Advancing Justice | AAJC ("AAJC") is a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1991. Our mission is to advance the civil and human rights of Asian Americans and to build and promote a fair and equitable society for all. For more than 30 years, we have served as the leading Asian American voice on civil rights issues in our nations capital fighting for the rights of our communities through policy advocacy, litigation, research, public education, and community engagement.

Based in Washington, DC, Advancing Justice | AAJC is a member of the Asian Americans Advancing Justice (Advancing Justice) affiliation. With our affiliates in Atlanta, Chicago, and Southern California, we work together as equal and independent partners, operate under one name, and strive to speak with one unified and powerful voice to promote justice, empower our communities, bring local and national constituents together, and strengthen our multiracial democracy.

Title: Assistant Director of Education Policy (Assistant Director)
Reports to: Vice President (VP) of Policy and Programs
Supervises: One (1) full-time staff member
Term: Immediately
Status: Full-time, Exempt Employee, 40 hours/week
Salary: $90,000-$100,000

This is a unionized organization, and this position is not in the collective bargaining unit.

Position Summary: The Assistant Director of Education Policy will lead the development and execution of advocacy strategy to promote educational equity for the nations diverse Asian American communities and promote access and inclusion in education and adjacent policy areas. The Assistant Director will lead advocacy on education policy and provide public policy research, analysis, strategies, and community education on education policy issues impacting Asian American students and communities nationwide.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Organizational Leadership and Strategic Planning

• Act as a thought partner to the VP of Policy and Programs on issues related to education policy, as well as access and inclusion policies in adjacent spaces.
• Work closely with policy leads and other staff to provide leadership and direction in setting budgets, program goals and strategies, and advancing new ideas and innovations that align with AAJCs mission and strategic plan.
• Serve as a senior-level mentor and a bridge-builder for AAJC, ensuring collaboration between departments and strengthening partnerships with affiliates and key external partners.

Plan and Strategize Activities Related to Education Policy and Access and Inclusion Priorities

• In collaboration with the VP of Policy and Programs, develop and implement strategies and lead advocacy related to education policy, including access and inclusion policies in adjacent spaces.
• Work with key legislators and executive branch officials to advance laws, regulations, guidelines, and policies that benefit educational equity, access, and inclusion for the Asian American community.
• Provide thought leadership on education, access, and inclusion policy issues and conduct necessary public policy research and analysis.
• Monitor and analyze legislation, regulations, and policy developments; prepare testimony, agency comments, legal briefs and memoranda, and other relevant material.
• Work closely with the Litigation team to address education, access, and inclusion policy issues that intersect with legal advocacy priorities.
• Collaborate with the Strategic Communications team to develop and implement plans related to education, access, and inclusion, including providing content, drafting blog posts and press releases, responding to press inquiries, and making public speaking appearances as requested.

Develop, Implement, and Maintain External Relationships and Partnerships

• Collaborate with the Community Engagement team to develop and implement Community Partners Network strategies and activities on education policy as well as other areas of policy work as appropriate.
• Build and maintain effective relationships with affiliates and relevant legal and advocacy groups within the civil rights and Asian American communities, both nationally and locally.
• Develop community education materials, provide technical assistance to community-based organizations nationwide, and conduct community training, outreach, and education.
• Coordinate program planning and implementation with community-based organizations, affiliates, state, and local partners to identify potential areas for joint efforts, including through subgrants.
• Build strong and effective relationships with key stakeholders in the education policy arena, allied organizations, coalitions, and policymakers.
• Oversee education-related subgrants, manage subgrantee relationships, and provide technical assistance to subgrantees and other community-based organizations for education priorities.
• Other duties as assigned.

Fundraising

• Help formulate and implement a development-supported growth strategy for education advocacy, including identifying donor prospects through work with peer organizations and other contacts, and developing program elements of potential interest to donors.
• Assist with fundraising, grants and relationship management with funders and supporters.
• Work with the VP of Policy and Programs and finance and development teams to help craft project budgets and grant proposals related to education advocacy.
• Provide content/information for donor communications and materials (donor newsletters, action alerts, special and annual reports, social media postings, etc.).
• Attend meetings with prospects/donors as requested.

General AAJC Roles

• Live and exhibit the Values of AAJC, by contributing to an environment that promotes trust, teamwork, and transparency among staff, board, National Advisory Council, affiliates, and community partners.
• Contribute to, establish, and follow policies and procedures, including maintenance of confidentiality, to ensure that the principles of AAJC are implemented.
• Participate in and lead decision-making processes, understand outcomes, and be accountable for decisions made in or affecting their area.
• Understand the values and principles of AAJC and apply them fully in work responsibilities.
• Participate in other activities and serve on ad hoc committees as requested.
• Attend and contribute to AAJC and Board of Directors meetings as requested.
• Be available to travel and work occasional evenings and weekends.

EDUCATIONAL AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Education and Experience

• Bachelors Degree required. J.D. Degree, Masters Degree in Education Policy, or related advanced degree preferred.
• At least eight years of relevant work, management, and supervisory experience in education, government, or advocacy organization preferred.
• Experience in and knowledge of education policy, particularly its impact on Asian American communities, preferred.
• Experience in policy advocacy, campaigns, and/or field organizing preferred.

Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities

• Ability to operationalize vision, think strategically, creatively problem solve, exercise good judgment, and lead change.
• Successful track record of forging alliances, working in coalitions, and moving people to take collective action and engage in advocacy.
• Facilitative and collaborative leadership style, with strong people skills.
• Experience working with diverse groups from various sectors.
• Fundraising experience, including building and developing donor relationships.
• Excellent communicator and writer, who can articulate messages in plain language to different audiences, including the media.
• Strong supervisory skills and experience with proven ability to manage, coach and mentor staff and work collegially with management team members.
• Ability to meet internal and external deadlines in a fast-paced, rapidly-changing environment is required.
• Ability to adapt to rapidly changing priorities and balance competing assignments.
• Experience navigating administrative and legislative processes.
• Ability to plan, organize, and help oversee a comprehensive program.

Application Process

Send separate attachments for cover letter, resume, and a short writing sample to Hiring Manager at hiring@advancingjustice-aajc.org or to 1620 L Street NW, Suite 1050, Washington, DC 20036. Applications with all three items attached will be reviewed. Offers will be extended based upon satisfactory reference checks.

Asian Americans Advancing Justice | AAJC is an equal opportunity employer.

Flexible work from home options available.