Policy Manager

Manager, Policy 

Reporting to the Senior Director of Policy and serving as an integral member of RespectAbility’s Policy and Civic Engagement department, the Policy Manager is a full-time position responsible for working with the policy team, board members, advisors, volunteers, and partners to achieve the policy and advocacy goals outlined in RespectAbility’s strategic plan. 

The Policy Manager helps to lead public policy analysis, advocacy, and implementation of key laws, regulations, and actions of material importance to the operations of RespectAbility. The Policy Manager provides the substantive expertise and direction needed to achieve the organization’s public policy goals; influences state and federal elected bodies, elected officials, and administrative agencies. They will build systems, processes, and tools to track, measure, report, and communicate on legislative activity, priorities, and progress in real time for internal and external stakeholders. They are charged with public policy development for a broad range of policy issues and will work with all members of the policy team to advance our public policy and advocacy priorities and positions, and overall strategic positioning. 

Core Responsibilities 

All employees of Respectability will conduct themselves in accordance with its Core Tenets: 

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility 

Collaboration 

Commitment to Performance Metrics 

Key Responsibilities 

Program Support:  

• Build and manage overall policy agenda and session priorities, including tracking, identifying, and seizing opportunities to affect legislative, regulatory, and administrative action 
• Develop legislative strategies supporting RespectAbility’s objectives, which include the development of policy briefing documents, legislative testimony, amendments, comments, and policy white papers as needed 
• Build or strengthen relationships of trust with public officials and other stakeholders to create opportunities to educate and advocate on key issues 
• Collaborate with partners, including federal government, state government, disability and service organizations, businesses serving not-for-profit organizations, and employers to identify and implement key systemic and policy issues solutions to barriers to success 
• Devise strategies and opportunities to educate any impact decision-makers on the key issues identified facing people with disabilities, both informally and in legislative and regulatory processes 
• Collaborate with policy manager counterpart to standardize approaches to issues, as well as align multistate/federal practices 
• Produce documents from advocacy letters to regulatory comments to reports and instructional and education materials 
• Work with the Senior Director in building and managing departmental budget 
• Conduct internal trainings as requested 
• Host regular trainings and webinars to mobilize members of our network on policy positions, advocacy activities, and calls to action 
• Assist in department recruiting and hiring 
• Attend and present at relevant conferences and public-facing events as needed 

Resource Development  

Fundraising/Grants: 

• Partner with the Development team to engage in qualification, strategy, and relationship building with state and national foundations and corporate funding entities, with a view toward sustained transformational giving over time 
• Steward and support the development and growth of partnership opportunities to deepen engagement and meaningful collaboration between the organization and funders 
• Record key data touch points on programmatic efforts and support overall departmental grant reporting requirements 
• Support individual giving campaigns 

Management  

• Track and analyze state and federal lobbying and canvassing efforts regularly 
• Train and supervise direct reports, which may include associate-level staff and Fellows in RespectAbility’s National Leadership Program 
• Complete performance reviews for direct reports on a semi-annual basis 
• Participate in all RespectAbility’s meetings and relevant program activities 
• Assist in managing budget for the department 

Communication 

The Policy Manager will maintain necessary internal and external communication to meet the scope of work for which they are responsible. 

External communications may include: 

• Regular communication with stakeholders by means of department newsletters 
• Serving as the key contact for legislative members with inquiries on assigned issues. 
• Providing additional communication, as needed, to promote confidence in our leadership and their ability to move the mission and maintain partnerships 
• Maintain timely communication with internal and external stakeholders through email, phone, and other forms of communication 
• Collaborate with RespectAbility’s Marketing and Communications team for overall messaging and to advance policy goals 
• Design and implement advocacy campaigns in coordination with the Marketing and Communications team 

Qualifications 

• This position is remote, but a candidate residing in the DC/Maryland/Virginia area is preferred 
• Previous work in a Congressional office or state or federal agency is preferred 
• 3+ years of relevant experience in state or federal government, government relations, or direct lobbying 
• 1+ years of ascending responsibility in a managerial or departmental leadership role  
• Bachelor's degree or Advanced degree required 
• Thorough understanding of and experience influencing legislative/political processes 
• Established network of political, federal, and/or state agency contacts 
• Proven track record of government relations accomplishments 
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and experience creating and effectively delivering factual, relevant, and easily understandable talking points, one-pagers, public statements, and other messaging 
• Ability to interact effectively and build relationships with a wide range of external audiences 
• Ability to travel  
• Strong commitment to the mission and vision of the organization, including diversity, equity, and opportunity for people of all backgrounds and abilities 
• Ability and willingness to work flexibly and remotely in a fast-paced, fast-growing, dynamic, nonprofit environment 
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and willingness to learn other systems and tools 

Salary Range: $65,000 to $85,000. Please note, the final salary offer is dependent on our pay equity policy which determines your salary based on the position's pay band, your level of experience, the number of direct reports, and your education. To ensure continued pay equity within the organization and with the external market, we do not negotiate initial salary offers or salaries post-hiring. 

To apply, please send your resume, writing sample, and cover letter to HR@RespectAbility.org. Please make sure that the subject line includes the words “Policy Manager.” Resumes without cover letters may not be considered. 

RespectAbility is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in its selection and employment practices. We value a diverse workforce and strive to be a fully inclusive and equitable workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, age, record of arrest or conviction, or other legally protected characteristics. Black people, Indigenous people, people of color; lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex people, people of marginalized genders; people with disabilities; protected veterans; and formerly incarcerated individuals are all strongly encouraged to apply. 

When an applicant with a disability needs an accommodation to have an equal opportunity to compete for a job, they may request it orally or in writing. Please contact Human Resources by email or phone: Tonya Koslo at TonyaK@RespectAbility.org or 202-517-6272.