Anti-Hate Program Manager (Asian-American Advocacy, Policy, Legislative Role)

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 nation’s 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: Manager of Anti-Hate Program (“Manager”)

Reports to: Director of Anti-Hate Program (“Director”)

Term: Immediately

Status: Full-time, Exempt Employee, 40 hours/week

Salary: $65,000-$80,000

Location: Washington, D.C.

This position is included in a union-represented collective bargaining unit, and specific terms and conditions of employment are subject to collective bargaining.

Position Summary: The Manager will be primarily responsible for assisting the Director in developing and implementing Advancing Justice | AAJC’s Anti-Hate Program. The Manager must think strategically, thrive in a fast-paced environment, and contribute to various advocacy initiatives. This role will involve coordinating rapid-response efforts, assessing and addressing the needs of community-based partners, and leading community education, field outreach, research, and communication related to anti-Asian hate and broader racial justice issues.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Organizational Leadership and Strategic Planning

• Act as a thought partner to the Director of Anti-Hate Program and VP of Strategic Initiatives to support and implement the programmatic agenda for the anti-hate program.
• Work with policy leads and other staff to implement anti-hate strategies, goals, and solutions.
• In collaboration with the Director, coordinate with local partner grantees, affiliates, and coalition partners on the anti-hate program to address anti-Asian violence, harassment, and discrimination.
• Collaborate to advance new ideas and innovations that align with our organizational mission, strategic plan, and programmatic plan for the Anti-Hate initiative.

Responsibilities

• Support and implement the programmatic agenda and ideas that align with AAJC’s mission, strategic plan, and policy goals. This work includes:
  • Legislative and Administrative Advocacy: Conduct legislative and administrative advocacy by supporting efforts to pass legislation to address and prevent anti-Asian hate and discrimination and engage with government agencies tasked with addressing anti-Asian hate and discrimination. While AAJC’s advocacy is focused on the federal level, this work could also encompass state- and local-level advocacy.
  • Data Collection and Analysis: Supplement data collection and analysis by learning about local efforts to collect information about anti-Asian hate, share information about reports submitted to the Stand Against Hatred (SAH) website, and coordinate efforts to encourage reporting of hate crimes and hate incidents.
  • Response and Resources: Coordinate with community-based organizations, service providers, government agencies, racial justice coalitions, and others to build and strengthen resource and referral network, and coordinate response and support to individuals, including intake and referrals as needed.
  • Intervention Training: Lead and promote training on bystander intervention, conflict de-escalation, and training for the Asian American community on how to respond to anti-Asian and xenophobic harassment.
  • Communications: Support narrative development through story collection and adapting talking points for local use; assist communications staff with drafting materials for social media and community education; and support engagement with coalition partners, policymakers, and the media on anti-hate efforts.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of strategic plans, including providing content.
• Assist in setting strategies, goals, and solutions in collaboration with policy leads and other staff.
• Implement and manage Community Partner subgrants to localize anti-hate initiatives.
• In collaboration with other AAJC staff, coordinate the translation, production, and dissemination of community education materials.
• Develop key performance metrics to evaluate and enhance outreach and policy efforts.
• Apply effective project management skills for successful cross-collaboration with staff and external stakeholders.
• Other duties as assigned.

Fundraising

• Support fundraising activities and events, grants development and management, and relationships with funders and supporters.
• Work with the Director of Anti-Hate Program, VP of Strategic Initiatives, Director of Community Engagement, finance, and development teams to craft project budgets and help develop grant proposals related to anti-hate program and related efforts.
• Provide content/information for donor communications and materials (donor newsletters, action alerts, special reports from the executive director, social media postings, etc.).

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 program 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

• Bachelor's degree required. Master’s Degree, Juris Doctorate, or Doctor of Philosophy preferred.
• At least four years of relevant work experience in legal services, social work, or other fields that involve providing direct support to individuals.
• Experience in policy advocacy, communications, campaigns, polling, research, political science, and/or field organizing.
• Project management experience preferred.
• Experience in government or leading successful advocacy campaigns preferred.
• Experience in and knowledge of South Asian and/or Asian American civil and human rights issues on both the local and national level.

Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities

• Ability to operationalize vision, think strategically, creatively solve problems, exercise good judgment, and lead change.
• Ability to meet internal and external deadlines in a fast-paced, rapidly-changing environment is required.
• Demonstrated 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 relationships.
• Excellent researcher, communicator, and writer who can articulate messages to different audiences, including translating law and policy into plain, actionable language.
• Ability to work collegially with both management and other staff members.

Application Process

Send separate attachments for cover letter, resume, and a short writing sample (maximum of 3 pages) to Hiring Manager at hiring@advancingjustice-aajc.org or 1620 L Street NW, Suite 1050, Washington, DC 20036. Applications with all three items attached will be considered. Offers will be extended based upon satisfactory reference checks.

** COVID vaccination required. Exemption requests considered on a case-by-case basis. **

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