Policy Associate (or Senior Policy Associate)

Position Description

The Policy Associate will support the development and execution of the organization’s policy priorities through policy development, research and writing, project management, stakeholder engagement, and coordination. The position combines substantive policy work with responsibility for moving policy initiatives from strategy through implementation, including coordinating partners and internal contributors, managing workplans and timelines, and tracking program and grant deliverables across a cross-cutting portfolio of progressive policy priorities.

The position will focus on advancing equitable climate and clean energy policy priorities, including helping communities understand and leverage public funding, financing tools, tax credits, and governmental authorities at the federal, state, and local levels. Relevant policy areas include climate policy, climate and energy infrastructure, public budgeting and finance, tax policy, economic opportunity, housing, and community investment. The position will support the Livable Futures team’s priorities by coordinating policy initiatives, conducting research, developing written materials, engaging coalition partners and other stakeholders, managing project plans and deliverables, and translating policy goals into concrete plans and activities. The position will also contribute to additional program areas and organizational priorities, as needed.

This position may be filled at the Policy Associate or Senior Policy Associate level based on the candidate’s experience, scope of responsibility, and organizational needs. Candidates hired at the Senior Policy Associate level will bring deeper experience and take greater ownership of complex policy initiatives, external partnerships, and cross-organizational projects. 

Primary Responsibilities

In collaboration with program staff and organizational leadership, responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Policy Research and Resource Development

• Conduct policy research and develop timely, accessible public education materials, including explainers, reports, fact sheets, and other resources, on topics such as:
• federal climate and energy legislation, executive actions, and implementation, including their effectiveness and implications for communities and racial and socioeconomic equity;
• public funding, financing, and implementation strategies that advance equitable climate and community development goals, including grants, appropriations, bonding authorities, tax and revenue policy, public-private partnerships, community benefit frameworks, and other governmental tools; and
• innovative policy and implementation strategies that advance a just transition and center frontline communities and workers in climate, energy, infrastructure, and housing policy.
• Develop resources and engagement strategies that help frontline communities understand and influence federal climate policy and its implementation. 
• A Senior Policy Associate will also:
• lead assigned policy initiatives and research projects with a high degree of independence and provide strategic recommendations to program leadership; and
• identify emerging policy developments, implementation challenges, opportunities, and potential risks and recommend possible responses for consideration by program leadership.

Policy Initiative Coordination and Project Management 

• Coordinate the day-to-day implementation of multiple program initiatives, ensuring projects remain organized, on schedule, and aligned with program priorities.
• Support program leadership by tracking workplans and deliverables, coordinating internal workflows, preparing meeting materials, and ensuring timely follow-up on decisions and action items.
• Coordinate internal workflows and work with staff and external partners to advance shared projects and maintain alignment on responsibilities, timelines, and deliverables.
• Support annual team goal-setting and work-planning processes, including documenting priorities, developing project plans, and tracking progress across initiatives. 
• Identify emerging opportunities, programmatic gaps, and potential areas for action and share recommendations with the Livable Futures team.
• Contribute to funder proposals and reports, track grant deliverables, and participate in funder engagement.
• A Senior Policy Associate will also lead assigned program workstreams or initiatives from planning through completion, including coordinating contributors, managing timelines and deliverables, identifying challenges, and recommending adjustments.

Partnerships and Coalition Engagement 

• Support and maintain relationships with local, state, and federal government officials and policymakers, and with nonprofit, labor, philanthropic, community, financial-sector, and coalition partners to advance shared policy initiatives and program goals.
• Support external partnerships by coordinating and facilitating meetings, maintaining regular communication, documenting next steps, and ensuring timely follow-through on commitments.
• Coordinate the organization’s participation in relevant coalitions, including preparing for meetings, facilitating internal and external coordination, maintaining partner communication, and tracking follow-up. 
• Support congressional engagement in coordination with relevant program and government affairs staff, including conducting outreach, scheduling meetings, preparing for and participating in briefings, and supporting ongoing relationship management.
• A Senior Policy Associate will also:
• serve as the primary relationship manager for assigned partners and represent the organization in external meetings, events, and presentations; and
• contribute to the development and implementation of shared advocacy strategies in coordination with staff and coalition partners.

Briefings, Events, and Public Education

• Support briefings, convenings, presentations, and other public education activities by coordinating logistics, preparing agendas and materials, developing presentations and resources, and occasionally facilitating or presenting.
• A Senior Policy Associate will also:
• lead the planning and execution of assigned public briefings and convenings, including developing agendas, securing speakers, and recruiting participants from across sectors; and
• regularly represent the organization as a presenter, speaker, or facilitator at briefings, public events, and coalition meetings. 
• Perform other duties as assigned; the omission of specific responsibilities does not preclude the assignment of other duties logically related to the position.

Candidate Profile

The successful candidate is an organized and collaborative policy professional with strong project management, research, writing, and relationship-building skills. They can manage multiple workstreams, support senior leadership, and translate complex policy concepts into well-executed projects and accessible public education resources. They understand that advancing policy priorities requires both substantive policy expertise and effective coordination and implementation. They demonstrate sound judgment, take a proactive and solutions-oriented approach, understand the political and policy landscape in which the organization operates, and are committed to advancing equitable, people-centered public policy.

Experience Level

• Policy Associate: Typically 3–5 years of relevant professional experience in public policy, government, advocacy, organizing, program or project management, government affairs, research, or a related field. 
• Senior Policy Associate: Typically 5 or more years of relevant professional experience in public policy, government, advocacy, organizing, program management, government affairs, research, or a related field. Candidates considered at the Senior Policy Associate level should also demonstrate substantial project management and coalition or stakeholder management experience, increasing responsibility over time, and the ability to independently lead complex initiatives.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent combination of education, training, and relevant professional experience.
• Strong organizational and project management skills, with a demonstrated ability to prioritize work, coordinate multiple workstreams, track deliverables, anticipate needs, and execute detailed projects in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
• Experience conducting policy research, synthesizing complex information, and producing clear written materials for policymakers, partner organizations, funders, or public audiences. 
• Strong writing, editing, verbal communication, and presentation skills, including the ability to communicate complex policy, fiscal, and technical concepts clearly to diverse audiences.
• Experience building productive relationships across organizations and sectors, coordinating meetings and projects, managing follow-up, and working effectively with external partners. 
• Strong interpersonal skills and a demonstrated ability to build collaborative internal and external relationships, give and receive constructive feedback, foster accountability, and adapt to evolving priorities.
• Deep commitment to racial equity, social justice, community-centered solutions, and progressive policy goals.
• A flexible and adaptable working style, including a willingness to support evolving team and organizational priorities and engage with new policy issues. 

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with public finance, budgeting, appropriations, grants, tax policy, government spending, or policy implementation, and/or with climate, clean energy, environmental, infrastructure, housing, or community development policy.
• Experience working at the intersection of public finance and climate justice, including an understanding of how federal, state, or local governments use funding, financing, appropriations, grants, tax policy, or other government tools and authorities to advance equitable climate and community development priorities.
• Experience working with coalitions, public agencies, elected officials, community organizations, labor partners, philanthropic institutions, or other external stakeholders.

Key Relationships  

This position reports to the Director of Livable Futures and works closely with staff across the organization, including the Director of Government Affairs & Access, the Director of Organizing & Capacity Building, and other program team members. The position supports the work of both We Build Progress, a 501(c)(3) organization, and the Progressive Caucus Action Fund, a 501(c)(4) organization.

Other Important Details

Location: The position is located in Washington, DC. Only candidates who live in or around Washington, DC, or are willing to relocate there will be considered. 

Salary and Benefits

This position is part of the NPEU-represented bargaining unit. Salary and title will be determined in accordance with the Collective Bargaining Agreement and the selected candidate’s years of relevant professional experience:

• Policy Associate: $70,982–$74,176
• Senior Policy Associate: $77,514–$84,647

We offer excellent benefits, including 20 annual paid vacation days, 10 sick days, one (1) personal day per month, and additional paid holiday leave between December 24 and January 1; a 5 percent 401(k) match; 100 percent employer-covered health, dental, and vision insurance for the employee; generous paid parental leave; and other benefits consistent with the Employee Handbook and Collective Bargaining Agreement. 

FLSA Classification: Exempt, full-time.

Duration of Employment: This is a two-year position with the possibility of extension.

Commitment to Diversity

We Build Progress is committed to making diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, and justice a daily practice in how we work and lead. Rooted in justice as action, we strive to build an equitable, transparent, and accountable organization where all staff have opportunities to grow and contribute meaningfully. We are an equal opportunity, fair-chance employer and welcome applicants from all backgrounds, identities, and lived experiences. 

About We Build Progress

We Build Progress is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that identifies and develops solutions to build a more just, equitable, and resilient nation. Our network brings together policy experts, community leaders, organizers, and advocates to build people-led, cutting-edge policy.