Director of Policy & Coalition Strategy

Public Counsel; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 135,000 - 165,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical coverage (health)

Dental and vision coverage

Flexible Spending Account

Employer-paid life insurance & AD

Parental leave

Wellness & professional development

On-site parking or transit benefits

Job summary

Public Counsel seeks a Director of Policy & Coalition Building to lead strategic policy advocacy and coalition efforts in Los Angeles. You will coordinate policy work, guide cross‑team collaboration, and build relationships with community organizations, policymakers, and partners to advance client-centered advocacy.

The role requires a strategic, collaborative leader with strong policy expertise, directing efforts to connect policy with direct services and impact litigation.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree; advanced degree preferred in public policy, law, public administration, communications, or related field.
• At least 10 years of progressively responsible experience in policy advocacy, legislative affairs, government relations, coalition building, public affairs, community organizing, or related field.
• Significant experience navigating legislative and/or policy processes at federal, state, or local level.
• Demonstrated experience leading policy initiatives and campaigns.
• Experience building and maintaining relationships with community organizations, coalitions, elected officials, and external stakeholders.
• Strong organizational and project-management skills.
• Ability to translate complex policy issues into clear messages with communications teams.
• Commitment to racial and economic justice and diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Responsibilities

• Develop and advance a coordinated organizational approach to policy advocacy.
• Assess and organize existing policy work and establish tracking/reporting systems.
• Identify policy priorities with leaders and develop strategies to leverage resources.
• Create internal guidelines and tools for policy advocacy including compliance and disclosure.
• Convene cross-team policy working groups to promote information-sharing and collaboration.
• Advise leadership on policy strategy and how advocacy complements services and litigation.
• Build relationships with grassroots organizations and policymakers.
• Advance community-centered coalition building and advocacy.
• Identify opportunities to participate in coalitions and campaigns.
• Provide guidance to staff for external policy relationships.
• Represent Public Counsel’s policy priorities with external audiences.
• Collaborate with partners to bring additional expertise to policy efforts.
• Develop and analyze policy proposals and legislative strategies.
• Monitor legislation and assess implications for clients and communities.

Skills

Policy advocacy

Legislative affairs

Stakeholder engagement

Project management

Strategic thinking

Written & verbal communication

Cross-team collaboration

Cultural competence

Spanish language

Education

Bachelor’s degree required

Advanced degree in public policy, law, public administration, communications

Job description

Public Counsel seeks a Director of Policy & Coalition Building to lead strategic policy advocacy and coalition efforts in Los Angeles. You will coordinate policy work, guide cross‑team collaboration, and build relationships with community organizations, policymakers, and partners to advance client-centered advocacy.

The role requires a strategic, collaborative leader with strong policy expertise, directing efforts to connect policy with direct services and impact litigation.