Manager of Policy

SUMMARY

The Council of New Jersey Grantmakers (CNJG) is a statewide nonprofit philanthropy-serving organization. Among our 130 members are private and community foundations, corporations, public/government grantmakers, federated funds, and giving circles. As a membership association, our priority is to support the philanthropic aspirations of members through networking, high quality training and education, knowledge building, and technical assistance. CNJG’s mission to support and elevate New Jersey’s philanthropic community through shared learning, collaborative and trusting relationships, network building, and leadership. This commitment to our members and the New Jersey’s philanthropic sector is clearly evident throughout CNJG’s programs, services, initiatives, and operations. CNJG is a member of the United Philanthropy Forum, the national umbrella organization for the country’s philanthropy-serving organizations, and the New Jersey Center of Nonprofits, our state’s association of nonprofits.

The Manager of Policy is a key member of the CNJG team and operates in a remote office. This position coordinates and manages all aspects of CNJG’s advocacy, public policy and government relations work. The Manager of Policy will work closely with the President and CEO and other staff as required.

The full-time position reports to CNJG’s President and CEO.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

• Support CEO and policy committee to execute CNJG’s policy agenda and actively assist with implementation of policy agenda.
• Monitor state and federal legislative, executive activity, and regulations related to the philanthropic and nonprofit sectors, and CNJG priority policy areas.
• Lead coordination and implementation for Foundations on the Hill. Ensure members preparedness, create leave behinds, manage delegation activities, schedule meetings, etc.
• Schedule, coordinate, promote, and prepare materials for meetings with local, state and federal policy makers, including Conversations with the Cabinet.
• Staff the policy committee including agenda planning, meeting minutes and implementation of committee work plans.
• Conduct research, analysis and synthesis to communicate CNJG positions and policy priorities verbally and in writing to members and internal audiences, policymakers and other external audiences. Written products may include briefs, one-pagers, advocacy letters and emails, legislative testimony and agency comments.
• Research and draft content for newsletters and special reports.
• Build and maintain relationships with policy makers and other government officials, deepening their overall knowledge of the philanthropic and nonprofit sectors, and CNJG’s policy priorities and positions.
• Position CNJG and its members to serve as a resource for expertise and information to policy makers.
• Prepare materials, including fundraising materials, for policy initiatives.
• Support policy initiatives and coalitions, including, but not limited to, Doing Good Better and New Jersey's First 1,000 Days Policy Coalition, as assigned.
• Build and maintain relationships with philanthropy, nonprofit and community partners to deepen policy issue expertise and advise strategies for CNJG’s engagement.
• Coordinate and deliver advocacy/policy-focused sessions, funder briefings, learning programs and signature events with CEO, and other team members as assigned.
• Additional duties as assigned.

EXPECTATIONS

• Work closely with the President and CEO, and other staff.
  • Stay informed about members’ grantmaking activities, philanthropic resources, and trends.
  • Must be able to travel throughout New Jersey, and out of state for regional and national conferences, fly-in days, and government relations convenings.
• Excellent written and oral communications skills, with an ability to convey information clearly and in multiple ways to meet the needs of the audience.
• High attention to detail and able to proof and quality check own work, and prepare materials free of errors for colleagues, members, and external audiences.
• The ability to organize and prioritize projects to meet work goals in a timely manner.
• Self-starter who values a collaborative team environment.
• Ability to be flexible and adapt to shifting work demands and organizational priorities, and manage multiple projects.
• Willingness to assist organization with special projects and activities, as assigned.
• Commitment to personal growth and development on issues of equity and diversity.
• A good sense of humor.
  • Perform other related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

• One to 3 years’ experience in government, public policy, philanthropy or nonprofit settings desired.
• Bachelor’s degree in public policy/administration or political science required.
• Strong research and analysis skills. Ability to listen actively, synthesize information and convey information in various ways, using stories, data, etc.
• Strong written and verbal communications skills. Communicate effectively in a variety of settings and styles.
• Outstanding administrative and project management skills, with high level of attention to accuracy, detail, and organization.
• Demonstrated sound judgment, and the ability to manage a diverse workload.
• Ability to work with diverse constituencies and maintain diplomacy.
• Ability to understand and comprehend a membership environment.
• Ability to perform a substantial number of tasks independently yet work collaboratively as part of a small team. Must be equally comfortable working independently, as well as part of a small team. Work collaboratively in a team environment.
• Strong proficiency with Microsoft Office required. Experience with Salesforce and online tools (MailChimp, SurveyMonkey, Zoom phones/meeting/webinar), a plus.
• CNJG is a fully virtual office. Must agree to work at own location.
• Must be able to travel throughout the state of New Jersey for programs as assigned.
  • Attention to detail, ability to produce high quality work products.
  • Approach responsibilities creatively and innovatively with the goal of continuous improvement.

Physical Expectations

The Manager of Policy must:

• Have access to a reliable, properly insured vehicle to travel throughout the state.
• Lift up to 30 lbs.
• Work at a desk with repetitive hours at a computer.
• Participate in occasional early morning and/or evening work.