Manager of Advocacy Capacity Building

SUMMARY OF POSITION 

The Manager of Advocacy Capacity Building serves as an operational and capacity building anchor for Creative West’s regional arts advocacy infrastructure. Operating within a collaborative, matrixed team environment, this role requires a subject-matter expert who can translate complex policy into robust educational programming and scale regional networks. The Manager strengthens Creative West’s regional arts advocacy by designing educational programming, managing network engagement, and translating complex federal policies into accessible resources for grassroots advocates.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS 

Arts Advocacy Capacity Building & Services Portfolio:

• Network Management: Manage the day-to-day operations and member engagement of the Western Arts Advocacy Network (WAAN), including directly supporting network co-chairs.
• Training Delivery: Design, coordinate, and deliver the Arts Leadership and Advocacy Seminar (advocacy capacity training) Webinar Series and implement programmatic improvements to WAAN initiatives.
• Fund Administration: Oversee the administration, distribution, and reporting of the department's Advocacy Funds.
• Artist Visa Consultation Services: Manage and administer Creative West’s visa consultation letter service for O and P artist visas, reviewing field requests and issuing timely advisory opinions to support international artists’ access to the U.S. cultural ecosystem.

Federal Public Policy Portfolio:

• Appropriations Tracking: Track, analyze, and report on federal cultural agency appropriations (e.g., National Endowment for the Arts).
• Trend Monitoring: Monitor federal non-appropriations policy trends, legislative changes, and emerging issues impacting the arts and culture sector.
• Strategic Collaboration: Present federal tracking data and policy trends in regular, Director-led team sessions to collaboratively build organizational advocacy strategies.

Collaborative Event & Convening Support: 

• Event Coordination: Provide key programmatic and logistical coordination, timeline tracking, and process execution for departmental events, including team retreats and regional network convening.

COMPETENCIES

• Professional Background: 3+ years of experience working in nonprofit arts administration, public policy, advocacy campaigns, or community organizing.
• Arts & Cultural Sector Literacy: Solid understanding of the U.S. cultural policy landscape (e.g., the role of the National Endowment for the Arts) and the nonprofit arts sector. Familiarity with the unique operational challenges, needs, and systemic issues facing arts organizations and independent artists.
• Grassroots Mobilization: Proven ability to organize networks and engage diverse stakeholder groups in legislative action.  
• Digital Advocacy Fluency: Deep familiarity with legislative tracking and CRM platforms (experience with Quorum is a major plus).  
• Policy Analysis: Ability to synthesize complex federal appropriations and policy updates into digestible legislative primers and issue briefs.  
• Program & Event Production: Skilled at designing educational webinars (like ALAS) and facilitating network meetings.

COMPENSATION

This is a Manager-level position, and the hiring range is between $60,000 - $74,000 annually. Starting pay is determined by a combination of geographic market differentials (location-based pay) and the individual candidate’s relevant experience, specialized skill sets, and core competencies. We are committed to fair, equitable compensation, and this band allows us to tailor offers to local markets while leaving room for future salary growth as you develop in the role.

BENEFITS

Creative West offers a competitive benefits package for all full-time employees, including:

• Employer-paid health insurance
• Employer-paid life and disability insurance
• Dental insurance partially subsidized by employee
• 401(k) with up to 5% match
• 37.5 hour work week
• Generous vacation and sick leave
• 10 paid holidays, plus the week off between Christmas and New Year’s Day
• 100% remote work as well as co-working space flexibility
• Employee Assistance Program for employees and their households

Don't meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At Creative West, we are committed to building a diverse, inclusive, equitable and authentic workplace. If you're excited about this role, but your past experience doesn't perfectly align with every qualification in the job posting, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles with us.

Creative West is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Creative West is committed to attracting and retaining a diverse staff and will honor your experiences, perspectives, and unique identity. Creative West strives to create and maintain a working environment that is inclusive and equitable.