Policy Manager

Up for Growth; Washington; Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Up for Growth in Washington, DC is seeking a Policy Manager to provide policy analysis supporting federal advocacy and endorsement decisions. You will turn legislative data and member insight into clear, quick-turn analyses for staff understanding of housing legislation and policy development.

The role reports to the Director of Policy & Advocacy and collaborates with the Advocacy Manager and Coalitions Manager to align policy analysis, Hill strategy, and member activity.

Qualifications

• At least 4 years of experience analyzing federal legislation or policy in a legislative office, agency, think tank, advocacy group, or government affairs setting.
• Working knowledge of Congress and the legislative process.
• Strong analytic writing: accurate, concise bill analyses and recommendation memos on short deadlines.
• Working knowledge of housing supply and affordability policy.
• Sound analytical judgment: evaluate bills against criteria, identify tradeoffs, and make recommendations.
• Ability to coordinate multiple working or issue groups, including scheduling and facilitation.
• Ability to explain complex policy to non-expert colleagues and collaborate across departments.

Responsibilities

• Produce quick-turn analysis of federal legislation to inform endorsement decisions and educate staff.
• Evaluate endorsement requests against UFG’s positions and criteria, and make clear recommendations.
• Maintain the Policy Shelf and the Legislative Portfolio.
• Support policy development, including drafting policy concepts and positions.
• Manage the portfolio of issue groups, including scheduling, facilitation, and follow-through.
• Monitor the positions of coalition partners and share relevant information with the team.
• Track regulatory deadlines and monitor schedules for committee hearings.
• Co-develop advocacy collateral such as policy one-pagers, talking points, and action toolkits.
• Manage relationships with UFG members.
• Support advocacy campaigns by lobbying part time when capacity allows.

Skills

Federal policy analysis

Analytical writing

Congress knowledge

Policy evaluation

Stakeholder coordination

Nonprofit advocacy

Staff communication

Job description

The Policy Manager will provide the policy analysis that supports UFG/UFGA’s federal advocacy. This person will turn legislative data and member insight into clear, quick-turn analysis that informs endorsement decisions and builds staff understanding of federal housing legislation and will support policy development and manage the portfolio of issue groups.

The role reports to the Director, Policy & Advocacy, and works alongside the Advocacy Manager and Coalitions Manager so that policy analysis, Hill strategy, and member activity reinforce one another.

Key responsibilities include:

• Produce quick-turn analysis of federal legislation to inform legislative endorsement decisions and to educate staff. This is the main function of the role.
• Evaluate endorsement requests against UFG’s positions and criteria, and make clear recommendations.
• Maintain the Policy Shelf and the Legislative Portfolio.
• Support policy development, including drafting policy concepts and positions.
• Manage the portfolio of issue groups, including scheduling, facilitation, and follow-through, and integrate their work with policy analysis and endorsement decisions.
• Monitor the positions of coalition partners and share what is relevant with the team.
• Track regulatory deadlines and monitor schedules for relevant committee hearings.
• Co-develop advocacy collateral such as policy one-pagers, talking points, and action toolkits.
• Manage relationships with UFG members.
• Support advocacy campaigns by lobbying part time when capacity allows or when an all-hands effort is needed.

The strongest candidate will be a rigorous federal policy analyst who writes clearly on short deadlines, exercises sound judgment, and works well with colleagues and members.

Candidates should bring:

• At least 4 years of experience analyzing federal legislation or policy in a legislative office, agency, think tank, advocacy group, or government affairs setting.
• Working knowledge of Congress and the legislative process.
• Strong analytic writing: accurate, concise bill analyses and recommendation memos on short deadlines.
• Working knowledge of housing supply and affordability policy, enough to evaluate bills against UFG’s positions.
• Sound analytical judgment: the ability to evaluate bills against stated criteria, identify tradeoffs, and make clear recommendations.
• The ability to coordinate multiple working or issue groups, including scheduling, facilitation, follow-through, and keeping participants aligned.
• The ability to explain complex policy to non-expert colleagues and collaborate across departments.

Preferred qualifications include:

• Experience in housing, land use, or zoning policy.
• Experience with a nonprofit, membership organization, or 501(c)(3)/(c)(4) organization.
• Policy development experience, such as white papers or drafting legislative text or concepts.
• Experience convening issue groups, working groups, or coalitions.

Success in the first year would include:

• Consistent systems for policy analysis and endorsement requests.
• Issue groups integrated into policy analysis and endorsement decisions.
• Systems for monitoring coalition positions.

Location: Washington, DC (Hybrid WFH available)

Salary: Position starts at $100,000 + competitive benefits

Position reports to the Director of Policy and Advocacy

UFG/UFGA is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes candidates from a range of backgrounds and experiences.