Advocacy & Community Engagement Manager

Vibrant Emotional Health; Legal; Hybrid; CAD 80,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Vibrant Emotional Health is seeking an Advocacy & Community Engagement Manager to enhance public policy and government relations. This role involves lobbying, coalition building, and mobilizing community advocates in mental health policy matters, requiring excellent communication skills and a strong understanding of health policies.

Qualifications

• Minimum 2 years in public policy or government relations.
• Proven track record of developing coalitions.
• Strong ties with New York State and City policymakers.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the organization’s registered lobbyist for New York State and City.
• Lobby on mental health and behavioral health issues.
• Organize grassroots campaigns and public forums.

Skills

Communication

Negotiation

Analytical thinking

Interpersonal skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in political science, public policy, law, or a related field

Advanced degree (preferred)

Job description

Position:Advocacy & Community Engagement Manager

Location: Hybrid

Job Id:2484

# of Openings:1

Job Title: Advocacy & Community Engagement Manager Department: Public Policy & Government Affairs

Reports to:AVP, Public Policy & Government Affairs

Location: Hybrid
Schedule: Monday-Friday, 9AM - 5 PM EST
Salary Range: $80k - $90k

Formerly the Mental Health Association of New York City (MHA-NYC), Vibrant Emotional Health’s groundbreaking solutions have delivered high quality services and support, when, where and how people need it for over 50 years. Through our state-of-the-art technology-enabled services, community wellness programs, and advocacy and education work, we are building a society in which emotional wellness can be a reality for everyone.

Position Overview:

The Advocacy & Community Engagement Manager within Vibrant’s Public Policy and Government Affairs will play a critical role in developing and executing the organization's public policy and government relations strategies. This position involves coalition building and engaging with policymakers, regulatory agencies, and industry groups to advance the organization’s objectives and influence public policy in a manner that supports our mission and strategic goals.

Key Responsibilities:

• Serve as the organization’s registered lobbyist covering New York State and New York City, providing direct representation before the state legislature and regulatory bodies on issues related to mental health, suicide prevention, behavioral health parity, and crisis response systems
• Lobby lawmakers, elected officials, covered agency leaders on behalf of Vibrant’s New York State and New York City legislative and regulatory needs.
• Build and sustain relationships with local (i.e., New York State and New York City) stakeholders, including lawmakers individuals with lived experience, community-based organizations, providers, and advocates.
• Organize grassroots campaigns, listening sessions, and public forums to amplify organizational priorities on mental health issues.
• Recruit, train, and mobilize advocates to participate in storytelling, media campaigns, public testimony, and advocacy days.
• Represent the organization at community events, coalitions, and task forces.
• Monitor state and local legislative activity and support the advancement of mental health policy priorities in collaboration with the State Policy Director.
• Coordinate advocacy efforts with legislators, state agencies, and partner organizations.
• Draft advocacy materials, fact sheets, public comments, and testimony.
• Track and report on policy developments and advocacy impact at the local and state levels.
• Serve as a liaison between community advocates and policymakers to ensure policy development is informed by lived experience.
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in political science, public policy, law, or a related field; advanced degree preferred.
• A minimum of 2 years of experience in public policy, government relations, or a related field.
• Proven track record of developing productive coalitions
• Strong ties to New York State and New York City policymakers
• Strong understanding of legislative and regulatory processes at the local and state levels.
• Strong understanding of public health, mental health, suicide prevention and/or other health related policies.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to build and maintain relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders.
• Strong analytical and strategic thinking skills.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to travel to various public policy focused events, meetings and conferences.
• Flexibility to travel, primarily within the state of NY, up to 75% of time.