Director, Immigration Policy Project

ABOUT US

UnidosUS, previously known as NCLR (National Council of La Raza), is the nation’s largest Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization. Through its unique combination of expert research, advocacy, programs, and an Affiliate Network of nearly 300 community-based organizations across the United States and Puerto Rico, UnidosUS simultaneously challenges the social, economic, and political barriers that affect Latinos at the national and local levels. For more than 50 years, UnidosUS has united communities and different groups seeking common ground through collaboration, and that share a desire to make our community stronger. For more information on UnidosUS, visit www.unidosus.org or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

SUMMARY

The Director of the Immigration Policy Project is responsible for driving policy priorities that align with our organizational strategic goals including, executing policy, advocacy, communications strategy, leading the organization’s campaigns to defend immigrants, and advance pro-immigrant policies at the federal level and in key states. The Director manages the immigration policy team to work in coordination with other issue teams and collaborate with colleagues across the organization to leverage all UnidosUS assets to advance immigration priorities. Success in this role requires a strong background in leading immigration campaigns in a challenging communications environment; leading and advising principles and senior management; and effective representation of the organization and our immigration positions among allies in coalition and at high level gatherings with lawmakers, their aids, and the administration. This position is part of the Policy and Advocacy management team and will report to the Senior Director of Legislative Affairs. 

This position is hybrid and based in our Washington, DC office. Depending on the candidate, we may be open to remote work, with periodic travel to Washington, DC.

Please note: Only those applicants who submit a cover letter along with a resume will be considered for this opportunity.

Salary: $133,830-$150,486

Essential Functions

Management and Strategy:

• Understand UnidosUS’s overall strategic direction; build and align an immigration portfolio and campaign with Legislative and Political Affairs and the Policy and Advocacy management team in that context.
• Set the strategic direction, identify and measure goals, and determine tactics for the Immigration Policy Project.
• Maintain substantive depth in a range of immigration policy issues, including emerging immigration policy issues that affect the Latino community, and overseeing and directing policy analysis, recommendations, and solutions.
• Supervise and provide support to a team dedicated to expert policy analysis, research, and advocacy on multiple immigration issues.
• Provide support and guidance on immigration policy documents, including research reports, issue briefs, policy memoranda, regulatory comments, public testimony, talking points for the UnidosUS President & CEO, and other publications developed by the immigration policy team.
• Collaborate strategically with staff from across the organization to advance goals (e.g., program colleagues; state policy staff; Affiliate Engagement Team; Marketing and Communications).
• Keep UnidosUS President and CEO and senior leadership abreast of the policy and political landscape and related threats and opportunities and collaborate on the institution’s rapid response around urgent and breaking developments.

External Leadership:

• Coordinate, develop, and participate in public policy forums, summits, briefings, and other events where relevant immigration policy matters are discussed.
• Build and sustain diverse partnerships with policy allies across the political spectrum, including immigrant and civil rights organizations, policy think tanks and thought leaders, and join coalition tables and advisory boards that help us advance our priorities.
• Serve as a spokesperson on Latino immigration policy priorities, representing UnidosUS priorities in internal and external meetings, and before congressional staff, policymakers/ experts, and issue stakeholders.
• Work with media through our Marketing and Communications team, providing guidance on external communications, rapid response, and as lead spokesperson on immigration, including on camera and in Spanish language media.
• Other duties as assigned.

Fundraising and Budgeting:

• Manage the Project’s budgets and track expenses (both within the immigration portfolio and as part of institutional cross-cutting activities).
• Lead and support fundraising efforts to maintain and grow immigration policy activities, the immigration team’s capacity, and manage key funder relationships.
• Responsible for all internal and external relationship management related to immigration policy activities with foundations and funders.

Qualifications & Requirements 

Education and Experience 

• Master’s degree, law degree, or equivalent years’ experience.
• Twelve (12) to sixteen (16) years of relevant experience in a policy/legal/issue campaign/legislative.
• A minimum of five (5) years supervisory experience.
• Relevant experience conducting policy analysis and developing immigration policy solutions.
• Project management experience, including budget management.
• Demonstrated experience with and knowledge of the Latino community.

Skills and Abilities 

• Steadfast commitment to UnidosUS mission, vision, and values (Excellence, Respect, Accountability).
• Familiarity with and commitment to the S. Latino community, Latino nonprofit organizations, and the Latino market a plus.
• Experience with and understanding of immigration issues facing Latino and immigrant.
• Prior experience communicating policy ideas in public settings such as congressional hearings, major conferences, or written materials such as reports or issue briefs.
• Excellent communication, written, oral, editorial, and analytical skills.
• Effective political strategist with good and pragmatic judgement in complex policy environment, with a good nose for rapid response.
• Ability to work as part of a team, collaborate across the organization, take initiative, work effectively under tight deadlines, and coordinate multiple projects.
• Previous experience in supervising and growing a team, fundraising, and managing funder,
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Teams), statistical software, data sources, and internet queries required.
• Acute attention to detail.

Competencies 

• Interpersonal Skills--Focuses on solving conflict, not blaming; Maintains confidentiality; Listens to others without interrupting; Keeps emotions under control; Remains open to others' ideas and tries new things.
• Oral Communication--Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; Listens and gets clarification; Responds well to questions; Demonstrates group presentation skills; Participates in meetings.
• Written Communication--Writes clearly and informatively; Edits work for spelling and grammar; Varies writing style to meet needs; Presents numerical data effectively; Able to read and interpret written information.
• Project Management--Develops project plans; Coordinates projects; Communicates changes and progress; Completes projects on time and budget; Manages project team activities.
• Teamwork--Balances team and individual responsibilities; Exhibits objectivity and openness to others' views; Gives and welcomes feedback; Contributes to building a positive team spirit; Puts success of team above own interests; Able to build morale and group commitments to goals and objectives; Supports everyone's efforts to succeed.
• Leadership--Exhibits confidence in self and others; Inspires and motivates others to perform well; Effectively influences actions and opinions of others; Accepts feedback from others; Gives appropriate recognition to others.
• Managing People--Includes staff in planning, decision-making, facilitating and process improvement; Takes responsibility for subordinates' activities; Makes self-available to staff; Provides regular performance feedback; Develops subordinates' skills and encourages growth; Solicits and applies customer feedback (internal and external); Fosters quality focus in others; Improves processes, products, and services; Continually works to improve supervisory skills.

Physical Demands and Work Environment: 

• Able to work well independently and remotely
• Ability to spend time on the Hill and work in a hybrid environment.
• Accurately complete detailed forms and reports
• Coordinate multiple tasks simultaneously
• Sit for long periods of time
• Utilize visual acuity to operate equipment, read technical information, and/or use a keyboard

COVID-19 Considerations: 

• All employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID - 19. 

The above is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this job. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or physical requirements. Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Employment with UnidosUS is contingent upon the successful completion of a background screen.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, national origin, marital status, religion, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, personal appearance, family responsibilities, political affiliation, or enrollment in a college, university, technical school, or adult education.