Advocacy and Policy Manager

Position Description:

The Advocacy and Policy Manager is responsible for leading the organization’s advocacy efforts, including developing, advancing, and implementing the organization’s policy priorities, coordination with coalition partners, and activating our base of members and supporters. The Advocacy and Policy Manager reports directly to the Executive Director and collaborates with and supports program staff and consultants. The following list of responsibilities will be prioritized according to a work plan established in collaboration with the Executive Director.

Policy Priorities and Research

• Developing and implementing policy priorities that align with the organization’s goals
• and objectives.
• Leading the organization in researching, analyzing, and synthesizing complex
• information to draft policy proposals, reports, and recommendations.
• Researching and analyzing laws, regulations, and trends to make informed decisions
• when creating policies.
• Work collaboratively with communications staff to deliver media and communications
• that complement advocacy and policy initiatives.

Advocacy and Coalition Building

• Develop successful advocacy campaigns and lead grassroots coalitions that align
• with the organization’s policy priorities
• Ensure strong relationships between the organization and our community partners
• that centers inclusion, justice, and equity.
• Serve as a liaison with Park Advisory Councils
• Develop and manage relationships with elected officials and government officials
• Attend meetings, events, conferences on issues related to the policy and advocacy
• agenda of the organization.
• Staff the Advocacy Committee of the Board of Directors.

Building Grassroots and Organizational Power

• Implement both grassroots/base-building strategies and grasstops strategies to win
• campaigns, bring new leaders into the organization, and build the power of the
• organization.
• Develop and coordinate advocacy opportunities for members to organize in
• support of our campaigns and issues.
• Expand our membership and develop meaningful ways for members to engage
• and organize around our policy issues and campaigns.
• Identify opportunities to increase funding for advocacy and policy engagement
• objectives.
• Develop and maintain relationships with relevant potential donors for our
• advocacy and policy engagement work.

Other Duties as Assigned

Qualifications

• Three or more years of professional experience in advocacy, policy, grassroots organizing
• or related fields, preferably in the environmental and conservation field.
• Bachelor’s degree in environmental science, conservation, public policy, political
• science, communications, or a related field; a J.D. or other advanced degree a plus.
• Strong knowledge of Chicago politics, parks, and communities.
• Knowledge of land use, conservation, and other policy and legal issues related to park
• advocacy.
• Proven expertise in policy translation, making complex policy issues accessible and
• actionable for diverse audiences.
• Experience leading grassroots campaigns, with a track record of mobilizing communities
• to take meaningful action.
• Strong public speaking and interpersonal skills, with the ability to inspire action across
• diverse audiences.
• Strong writer that can convey complex ideas in a way that educates, engages, and
• mobilizes our stakeholders.
• Demonstrated organizational skills, with experience managing multiple projects, meeting
• deadlines, and setting priorities.
• Experience working in diverse communities and a commitment to diversity, equity and
• inclusion.
• Well-organized, self-starter, and takes initiative while being and flexible, adaptable, and
• enthusiastic working in a dynamic team environment.
• Willing and able to attend community events throughout the city, including those on
• evenings and weekends.
• Access to a car is beneficial, transportation costs reimbursed.