Senior State Policy Manager

Justice Action Network (JAN) and Justice Action Network Foundation (JANF) are looking for a dynamic, highly independent and entrepreneurial candidate who is excited by the prospect of overseeing several state level campaigns and growing the organizations’ impact and shaping the direction of our future legislative work. The senior state policy manager will support the Justice Action Network Foundation and the Justice Action Network in advancing smarter justice policies that improve public safety outcomes and create stronger communities nationwide. He/she will support our efforts on state legislative issues impacting justice policy as well as related initiatives.

We’re looking for a candidate who can coordinate activities and serve as the point person on JAN + JANF’s brand and presence on justice policy reform issues in our priority states. The senior state policy manager will manage and coordinate robust state legislative campaigns, develop state initiatives related to our goals and priorities for action, and be responsible for cultivating and maintaining relationships with lawmakers on both sides of the aisle, seeking input from local and national advocacy groups, system practitioners, law enforcement, business groups and associations, and formerly incarcerated individuals, and strategically coordinating efforts to translate bold ideas into meaningful policy change.

This is a mid-career position that requires 5-7 years’ experience in government relations or legislative affairs, with a preference for those with a background in criminal justice policy.

In addition, the senior state policy manager is expected to draft advocacy documents, legislative summaries, testimony, op-eds, blog posts, and other external facing documents and written materials to advance our mission and brand.

The senior state policy manager will be expected to travel up to 1-2 times per month, especially during a state’s legislative session and months leading up to that period.

This position will report to the Executive Director, and the location is flexible; this will primarily be a hybrid/remote working opportunity.

Responsibilities

• Manage and coordinate robust state legislative campaigns in our priority states and track progress across a variety of deliverables.
• Manage legislative relationships and coordinate in-state stakeholder meetings to develop educational and legislative campaigns.
• Supervise and work closely with our in-state lobbyist (as JAN) on lobbying and advocacy goals to advance our legislative campaigns.
• Devise communications and media strategies in partnership with the JAN + JANF Communications team that include press releases, op-eds, talking points, and the strategic use of social media to advance policy priorities.
• Research, process, and compile data and information on criminal justice statutes and reform legislation in the states, as well as state-by-state comparisons of existing policies and statutes.
• Draft, review and analyze legislative policies and proposals
• Track bills and legislative progression
• Prepare presentations for meetings with lawmakers, business groups, advocacy groups, and other stakeholders to advance our mission and brand.
• Produce educational materials for lawmakers, business groups, and other stakeholders such as one-pagers, toolkits, and multimedia content related to smart justice policy reform, and work closely with the Communications team on newsletters and additional content as needed.
• Create endorsement letters and author testimony for legislative priorities to submit electronically or present in person.
• Provide strategic support as needed to JAN + JANF Policy and Advocacy team and ensure alignment of goals and priorities across campaigns. This might include supervising other staff or interns.
• Assist with other research, writing, and analysis tasks as assigned
• Event planning assistance
• Support JAN + JANF’s development team and Director of External Affairs on grant reporting and writing, including tracking deliverables across all active campaigns, providing progress reports, and serving as the point of contact for funders as assigned.

Requirements

• Ideal candidates will have 5-7 years of government relations or legislative affairs, with a preference for those with a background in criminal justice policy
• Either state legislative experience or criminal justice policy experience are required.
• Excellent time management skills and ability to multi-task and prioritize work.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to travel up to 1-2 times per month maximum for 1-3 days at a time.
• Excellent computer skills are a critical requirement of the position, including thorough knowledge of Microsoft Office.

Salary and Benefits

Salary range is $90,000-$120,000 and commensurate with experience; Bachelor’s degree required.

JAN and JAN Foundation offer a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Generous vacation and sick days
• Employer-provided life and disability insurance
• 401(k) retirement plan with 100% employer match on the first 4%

How to Apply

If interested in this position, please send a resume, cover letter, and contact information for 1-2 references to jobs@janfound.org by September 30, 2025.Please indicate in the subject line of the email that the application is for the Senior State Policy Manager position.

The Justice Action Network Foundation and the Justice Action Network are Equal Opportunity Employers. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit, and business need.

JAN and JAN Foundation offer a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Generous vacation and sick days
• Employer-provided life and disability insurance
• 401(k) retirement plan with 100% employer match on the first 4%

Fluent English proficiency required.