Advocacy & Policy Director

Different Technologies Pty Ltd.; New York (NY); On-site; USD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Envision Freedom Fund seeks an Advocacy & Policy Director to advance its mission of abolishing immigration bonds and wealth-based detention. This role leads an advocacy program, shapes campaigns, and collaborates with partners to extend impact.

The candidate will steer policy analysis, coalition-building, and media outreach, while supervising staff and engaging with community allies to drive reforms.

Qualifications

• 5-7 years in policy/advocacy related to criminal legal and immigration systems
• New York State legislative process familiarity
• Experience with immigration bond reform efforts
• Experience with immigration law

Responsibilities

• Lead development and implementation of an advocacy program focused on immigration reform and bond payment services
• Design and drive campaign strategies, timelines, and execution to meet mission and goals
• Manage coalitions, partnerships, and media relations; draft press materials
• Represent Envision Freedom Fund in coalitions and public forums
• Oversee organizational leadership activities and strategic planning with senior staff
• Recruit and supervise staff and volunteers; communicate clearly with external stakeholders
• Produce educational materials and policy memoranda related to immigration policy
• Cultivate relationships with allied organizations and policymakers to advance goals

Skills

Policy advocacy

Coalition-building

Policy research

Legislative drafting

Public speaking

Project management

Bilingual English/Spanish

Job description

Envision Freedom Fund’s Advocacy & Policy Director will further our mission to abolish immigration bond and all forms of wealth-based detention, and drive reforms to ensure harm reduction for individuals currently impacted by the system. The Advocacy & Policy Director reports to the Co-Executive Director and works in collaboration with senior leadership and in coalition with community partners to shape, execute, and lead advocacy campaigns that amplify the organization’s voice and impact.

Primary Responsibilities

Program Leadership

• Leads the development and implementation of an advocacy program, connecting bond payment and services to systemic immigration reform, overseeing overall strategy, messaging, external relationships, and internal programmatic collaboration.
• Design and implement campaign strategies, timelines and execution to achieve Envision’s mission and annual goals.
• Driving new campaigns from concept to launch, scheduling and cultivating content, and measuring and reporting on the results of campaigns.
• Represent Envision on specific coalitions and present opportunities for joining others.
• Identify opportunities for partnership and collaboration with other organizations to maximize campaign reach and impact.

• Represent and manage Envision’s partnership role in visitation – a new project with partner organizations and volunteers – overseeing overall project management and execution.
• Lead policy analysis and discussions with partners and city and state actors with a vision of Federal policy as an ultimate goal.
• Supervise and support two employees

• Recruit and maintain new volunteers to increase our impact.
• Be a public spokesperson and additional contact with press on requests and drafting of press releases and quotes.

Organizational Leadership

• Work with the Envision leadership team on strategic program planning and organizational visioning.
• Represent organizational values and decisions internally and with external partners.
• Collaborate with Communication staff on media and online communications strategy that generates coverage to advance Envision’s advocacy agenda
• Produce educational materials including fact sheets, policy memoranda, & reports related to immigration policy.
• Build & manage relationships with allied organizations, policy makers, and other external stakeholders.
• Identify & pursue opportunities to leverage Envision's bond payment program results towards advocacy and policy goals.

Requirements

• 5-7 years’ experience, including the following:
  • Policy and advocacy related to criminal legal and immigration systems
  • New York State legislative system and process
  • Immigration bond system and reform efforts
  • Immigration law
• Minimum of 2 years of supervisory experience.
• Strong understanding of coalition-building and grass top organizing.
• Proficiency in policy research, legislative drafting and advocacy techniques.
• Preference given for individuals with significant knowledge of criminal legal system, immigration bond, and criminal justice reform in NY

• Excellent and persuasive written and verbal communication across varied media – including comfort with facilitating meetings and speaking publicly.
• Ability to manage multiple projects independently under tight deadlines
• Exceptional organizational skills, communication and interpersonal skills.
• Adaptability, strong team player and attention to detail.
• Proactive and operates with a sense of urgency
• Ability to work evenings and weekends as needed
• Bilingual in English/Spanish

Envision Freedom Fund is an Equal Opportunity / Aff… All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without unlawful discrimination based on race, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship, age, sex, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, military status, marital status, familial status, caregiver status, predisposing genetic characteristics, veteran or active military service member status, pregnancy, arrest or conviction record, unemployment status or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Envision Freedom Fund values diverse experiences. People with criminal justice involvement and detention history are encouraged to apply. We depend on a diverse staff to carry out our mission.