Policy Manager

Accelerate Resilience L.A. (ARLA) is a sponsored project of Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors. ARLA envisions Los Angeles as a climate-resilient region that is safer, healthier, and more prepared for our increasingly dangerous climate reality. ARLA works to heal living systems by bringing together built, natural, and social systems in ways that help people and places thrive.

ARLA engages, empowers, and activates individuals and organizations throughout L.A. County to collectively accelerate meaningful, equitable, and holistic resilience to climate change. ARLA engages in grantmaking, capacity building, cross-sector collaboration, technology development, and community engagement to advance the principles of living infrastructure:

ARLA is seeking an experienced, dedicated, and detail-oriented Policy Manager in the Los Angeles region to support ARLA’s efforts to enable collaboration and integration across governments, nonprofits, and communities to accelerate climate resilience.

Required Skills & Experience

• Brings a demonstrated commitment to climate resilience, environmental justice, and equity
• Has at least five years of direct experience in policy work within local government or nonprofit sectors
• Has a degree in public policy, planning, urban ecology, environmental science, natural resources management, or other related field; Master’s degree preferred
• Possesses a working knowledge of climate resilience, environmental justice, and the multiple benefits stemming from utilizing green infrastructure and nature-based solutions
• Communicates effectively both verbally and in writing to a variety of audiences; comfortable presenting information in a compelling, informative, and persuasive fashion
• Has experience participating in and/or facilitating collaborations across local government agencies and/or nonprofit organizations
• Is well-versed in and has experience with whole ecosystem management of urban or natural systems
• Has exceptional interpersonal skills
• Is equally comfortable working with technical experts, policymakers, and the public
• Is skilled at research and analysis, including analyzing complex issues, summarizing and drawing conclusions, making recommendations, and communicating to others in a clear way
• Has demonstrated the ability to build meaningful relationships with partners and stakeholders
• Demonstrates strong writing skills with a high level of attention to detail
• Is a quick learner and confident leader who can both take initiative and take direction
• Thinks on their feet in a nuanced, changing environment
• Demonstrates a collaborative nature, yet has the ability to make decisions and follow through decisively
• Has strong organizational, project management, and problem-solving skills
• Possesses a professional demeanor

Policy Manager Duties

• Work collaboratively with the Senior Policy Director to advance ARLA’s mission and programs
• Research, track, and analyze policy, regulations, and issues related to ARLA’s mission and programs
• Vet and summarize key issues to raise to the Senior Policy Director
• Identify, develop, and nurture relationships with partners, ally organizations, policymakers, and other stakeholders
• Participate in and build coalitions as needed
• Develop and distribute briefings, public comments, fact sheets, support letters, and other tools to support ARLA’s mission and programs and support its partners and stakeholders
• Be responsible for project management of ARLA’s cross-sectoral collaboration projects, including scoping, budgeting, planning, communication, scheduling, engaging with consultants, reporting, coordinating project phases, etc.
• Plan, organize, and facilitate events, workshops, webinars, meetings, and charrettes with ARLA staff and key stakeholders
• Conduct research and perform data analysis
• Serve as the initial point of contact for incoming policy-related issues and requests
• Coordinate with and support ARLA staff as needed on the suite of ARLA’s projects
• Engage in other activities as needed

Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors offers a competitive compensation and benefits package including health coverage, retirement benefits, paid sick leave, vacation, and holidays.

The Policy Manager will work primarily remotely, from their own residence or office in the Los Angeles area. On occasion, the Policy Manager will work or attend meetings at other locations, as required. The Policy Manager will be a full-time, exempt, sponsored-project employee of Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors.

English language fluency required; Spanish language proficiency a bonus.