Policy Director

Jobtailor; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Asian Law Caucus (ALC) in San Francisco seeks a Senior Policy Director to lead the direction, development, and execution of our local, state, and federal policy priorities affecting low-income API communities. You will build a robust policy strategy, oversee analyses and memos, and coordinate advocacy across coalitions and staff.

You will supervise a policy team, manage budgets, and align policy with litigation and communications while ensuring compliance and timely actions on behalf of

Qualifications

• J.D., MPP, MPA, or equivalent and substantive experience in at least one of ALC's core issue areas
• At least eight (8) years of experience and deep knowledge of public policy, advocacy, and the legislative process
• 3 to 5 years of experience managing and supervising staff, and leading a team
• Demonstrated track record creating and implementing advocacy and/or legislative strategies, ideally in an 'in-house' role within a complex organization
• Ability to translate complex law and policy into easily digestible materials for a lay audience
• Demonstrated political savvy and ability to assess legislative and political landscapes, power dynamics, and strategic timing
• Demonstrated commitment to building power for and with grassroots communities
• Knowledge of current issues impacting low-income API & AMEMSA communities, including key organizations, elected offices, and agencies
• Excellent verbal, analytical, writing, facilitation, and interpersonal skills
• Ability to work flexible hours and respond promptly to urgent requests and fast-moving developments
• Sincere commitment to work collaboratively with staff, board members, volunteers, community groups, donors, program participants, and other supporters
• Statewide travel required; some domestic travel expected
• Submit a cover letter, resume, writing sample of no more than ten (10) pages, and three professional references, including at least two direct supervisors

Responsibilities

• Lead the direction, development, and execution of ALC's policy priorities on local, state, and federal issues impacting low-income Asian American and Pacific Islander communities
• Develop and lead a robust policy strategy and legislative agenda aligned with ALC's strategic priorities
• Produce policy memos, legislative analyses, factsheets, FAQs, explainers, testimony, and position letters
• Lead collaborative development, implementation, and evaluation of policy goals and advocacy strategies
• Integrate policy work with litigation, communications, and community engagement strategies
• Oversee state and federal legislative and budget tracking systems
• Track legislation and budget items and ensure timely submission of position letters and advocacy materials
• Lead and manage participation in local, state, and national policy coalitions
• Convene partners around key policy priorities and position ALC as a policy thought leader and trusted convenor
• Develop and sustain relationships with elected officials, legislative staff, government agencies, and coalition partners
• Position ALC and senior leadership for high-level external engagement
• Ensure compliance with lobbying registration, reporting, and disclosure requirements
• Serve on the Senior Leadership Team and contribute to organizational strategy and decision-making
• Develop and manage the policy department's annual budget
• Assist with fundraising, grant reporting, and funder engagement
• Recruit, hire, and supervise policy team staff
• Develop staff through coaching, mentorship, individualized growth planning, 1:1s, and performance conversations
• Provide formal and informal training to program staff, including attorneys
• Develop tools, trainings, and systems that build organization-wide policy capacity

Skills

Verbal Communication

Analytical Skills

Interpersonal Skills

Facilitation

Mentorship

Education

J.D./MPP/MPA or equivalent

Tools

Legislative Tracking Systems

Budget Tracking Systems

Job description

• Lead the direction, development, and execution of ALC's policy priorities on local, state, and federal issues impacting low-income Asian American and Pacific Islander communities
• Develop and lead a robust policy strategy and legislative agenda aligned with ALC's strategic priorities
• Produce policy memos, legislative analyses, factsheets, FAQs, explainers, testimony, and position letters
• Lead collaborative development, implementation, and evaluation of policy goals and advocacy strategies
• Integrate policy work with litigation, communications, and community engagement strategies
• Oversee state and federal legislative and budget tracking systems
• Track legislation and budget items and ensure timely submission of position letters and advocacy materials
• Lead and manage participation in local, state, and national policy coalitions
• Convene partners around key policy priorities and position ALC as a policy thought leader and trusted convenor
• Develop and sustain relationships with elected officials, legislative staff, government agencies, and coalition partners
• Position ALC and senior leadership for high-level external engagement
• Ensure compliance with lobbying registration, reporting, and disclosure requirements
• Serve on the Senior Leadership Team and contribute to organizational strategy and decision-making
• Develop and manage the policy department's annual budget
• Assist with fundraising, grant reporting, and funder engagement
• Recruit, hire, and supervise policy team staff
• Develop staff through coaching, mentorship, individualized growth planning, 1:1s, and performance conversations
• Provide formal and informal training to program staff, including attorneys
• Develop tools, trainings, and systems that build organization-wide policy capacity

Requirements

• J.D., MPP, MPA, or equivalent and substantive experience in at least one of ALC's core issue areas
• At least eight (8) years of experience and deep knowledge of public policy, advocacy, and the legislative process
• 3 to 5 years of experience managing and supervising staff, and leading a team
• Demonstrated track record creating and implementing advocacy and/or legislative strategies, ideally in an 'in-house' role within a complex organization
• Ability to translate complex law and policy into easily digestible materials for a lay audience
• Demonstrated political savvy and ability to assess legislative and political landscapes, power dynamics, and strategic timing
• Demonstrated commitment to building power for and with grassroots communities
• Knowledge of current issues impacting low-income API & AMEMSA communities, including key organizations, elected offices, and agencies
• Excellent verbal, analytical, writing, facilitation, and interpersonal skills
• Ability to work flexible hours and respond promptly to urgent requests and fast-moving developments
• Sincere commitment to work collaboratively with staff, board members, volunteers, community groups, donors, program participants, and other supporters
• Statewide travel required; some domestic travel expected
• Submit a cover letter, resume, writing sample of no more than ten (10) pages, and three professional references, including at least two direct supervisors

Core Competencies

Demonstrates expertise in public policy development, advocacy strategies, and legislative processes, with a strong focus on low-income Asian American and Pacific Islander communities. Proven ability to lead teams, manage budgets, and engage with diverse stakeholders to drive policy initiatives and organizational goals.

Highest-signal resume keywords

• Public Policy Development
• Advocacy Strategy Implementation
• Legislative Process Knowledge
• Team Management and Supervision
• Stakeholder Engagement

ATS Optimization Keywords

Hard Skills

• Policy Memo Production
• Legislative Analysis
• Budget Management
• Grant Reporting
• Advocacy Material Development

Soft Skills

• Excellent Verbal Communication
• Analytical Skills
• Interpersonal Skills
• Facilitation Skills
• Mentorship and Coaching

Certifications & Qualifications

• J.D.
• MPP
• MPA

Industry Keywords

• Low-Income API Communities
• Grassroots Advocacy
• Coalition Building
• Lobbying Compliance
• Political Landscape Assessment

Tools & Technologies

• Legislative Tracking Systems
• Budget Tracking Systems