Policy Advocacy Manager

Chicago Jobs Council (CJC) is a workforce development intermediary that keeps job seekers at the center of all we do. CJC advocates for job seekers by researching current pressing matters for the field, developing recommendations, and sharing them broadly to create systemic change. CJC builds capacity for the workforce development field by developing curricula that are offered through training, cohort learning, and leadership academies based on our research of best practices. CJC influences City, State, and Federal Policies related to increasing funding for our public workforce system, creating equitable pathways, and eliminating barriers to employment. Our Mission: Together with community and institutional leaders, Chicago Jobs Council is re-imagining our workforce system so all people can thrive through employment. Our Vision is to create an anti-racist workforce development system and employment equity so that everyone can realize their unique pathway out of poverty.

Position Scope: The Policy Advocacy Manager is a full-time position that leads CJC’s efforts to advance equitable workforce policies through advocacy, coalition-building, and strategic partnerships. This role is responsible for developing and executing advocacy strategies that influence local, state, and federal policy decisions impacting workforce development and economic justice.

Competitive Compensation: Full-time exempt position with a $57,000 - $63,000 annual starting salary

Location: Hybrid, 29 E Madison, Suite 1700C, Chicago, IL

Excellent Benefits: Health Insurance, 403b, Vacation/Sick/Personal Benefit Time, Hybrid

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

• Policy Monitoring & Response: Track, analyze, and respond to local, state, and federal legislative and regulatory proposals related to employment, workforce development, and public safety net policies.
• Legislative Advocacy: Lead the Jobs Council’s state and federal legislative advocacy efforts, including regular travel to Springfield during legislative sessions and occasional national travel as needed.
• Policy Expertise & Advising: Build and maintain subject-matter expertise on workforce issues impacting people facing systemic barriers to employment, serving as a resource internally and externally.
• Coalition Management: Convene, facilitate, and manage advocacy coalitions, ensuring effective collaboration and progress on shared goals; represent the Jobs Council in partner coalitions as needed.
• Strategic Communications: Collaborate with the Director of Policy to develop messaging and materials that support advocacy goals, educate the workforce field, and inform stakeholders of policy efforts and outcomes.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Design and implement engagement opportunities for workforce development organizations and job seekers to advance the Jobs Council’s policy agenda and systems change efforts.
• Policy Development & Planning: Collaborate with staff and partners to shape the Jobs Council’s policy platform, set annual priorities, and develop advocacy work plans.
• Project & Grant Management: Manage contracts, consultants, and grant reporting; prepare written materials and represent the organization in external meetings as needed.
• Other Duties As Assigned

Requirements for the Advocacy Manager Position

Personal Qualities

• Strong commitment to the Jobs Council’s mission, vision, and racial equity
• Excellent interpersonal and relationship-building skills across diverse groups
• Consensus-building and project management skills to drive progress
• Self-starter with strong initiative and alignment with organizational priorities
• Receptive to feedback and committed to continuous improvement
• Collaborative team player with adaptability and respect for all contributions
• Willingness to handle all project tasks, big or small
• Ability to travel to Springfield during legislative sessions

Skills

• Strong organizational, time management, and project management skills
• Clear, concise, and persuasive communication (written, verbal, listening)
• Detail-oriented with excellent follow-through and strategic thinking
• Creative problem-solving and critical analysis abilities
• Ability to interpret complex information for diverse audiences
• Collaborative mindset with openness to support and feedback
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, G-Suite, and web-based tools
• Ability to monitor emerging trends and adapt strategies
• Willingness to travel throughout the state, especially to Springfield during legislative sessions

Experience:

• At least 5 years of work experience in policy at the local, state, or federal level strongly preferred
• Knowledge of the political and policy landscape in Illinois, or similar experience in another state or local policymaking context
• Strong Level of Knowledge on the State and Federal Level, with familiarity in how it affects Workforce Development.
• Experience and ease in communicating with high-level policy makers, including those in the legislative and executive branches, opinion leaders, and their staff; experienced advocate on the ground in Springfield preferred
• Demonstrated ability to analyze public policy proposals, including the drafting of legislation and regulatory language
• Experience working with directly impacted people and communities, frontline services providers, and other diverse stakeholders
• Minimum post-secondary credential; Degrees or certifications related to policy, political science, economics, or other social sciences preferred

Application Information

To apply for the Policy Advocacy Manager position, please submit a cover letter with a response to the question: “What do you think are the root causes of chronic unemployment and poverty? and a resume to https://cjc.bamboohr.com/careers/69 Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

CHICAGO JOBS COUNCIL IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER. CJC is committed to building an inclusive staff and strongly encourages applications from individuals of color, people with disabilities, individuals with diverse backgrounds, and those whose life experience is underrepresented in employment programs and policies.

CJC recognizes that systemic, institutional and individual racism creates disparities in the way people of color fare in the labor market. We are continuously working to review and update our practices, policies, and procedures using a racial equity lens in order to achieve more equitable outcomes for all. Illinois is an at-will state.