Policy and Communications Manager

Policy and Communications Manager, ExpandLA

Office Location: Remote-hybrid

Type: Full-time, exempt

Reports to: Managing Director, Executive Director

Salary: $80,000-$90,000 commensurate with experience 

Benefits: Medical, dental, and vision, retirement account, paid time off among others

About ExpandLA 

Vision: The Expanded Learning Alliance (ExpandLA) is a countywide effort to reimagine where and when joyful learning happens by making the most of the time youth have beyond the school day. ExpandLA aims to create an equitable system of access for children and youth in the LA area to activate their limitless potential. 

Mission: ExpandLA is an intermediary organization that supports, connects, and advocates for expanded learning opportunities that provide equitable access for all children and youth in the LA area. By working collaboratively with school-based and community-based expanded learning organizations, we will build systems, pathways, and processes that strengthen the field to nurture a young person’s natural curiosity, empower their self-development, and cultivate the value they bring to making the world a better place.

Goals:

• More high-quality programs with positive outcomes in which youth’s creative and academic pursuits are nurtured, their cultures and identities celebrated, and their skills to succeed in school, career, and life are strengthened.
• Increased access to and participation in quality diverse after-school and summer programs by fostering a rich expanded learning ecosystem accessible to all, particularly youth from historically marginalized communities.
• Greater sustained investment in the expanded learning field as an essential and integrated part of every child’s educational experience, providing critical additional learning time for holistic youth development.

Position Description: The Expanded Learning Alliance (ExpandLA) is seeking a Policy & Communications Manager with a desire for strengthening the political power of youth and youth-serving organizations, to develop and strengthen the organization’s policy platform and advocacy work. The Policy & Communications Manager is responsible for advancing ExpandLA’s policy agenda through research, coalition-building, and advocacy at the local, state, and federal level.

Strategy Development 

• Develop ExpandLA’s policy platform with staff, advisory and governing boards, ensuring alignment with organizational mission and strategic goals.
• Track priority local, state and federal legislation, including legislative agendas, hearing schedules, and funding-related items focused on expanded learning and other connected areas ie. youth development, education, mental health, and violence and drug prevention.
• Conduct policy and legislative monitoring, research, and analysis.
• Gather and disseminate information regarding local, state, and federal laws or policies that impact the expanded learning sector.
• Represent ExpandLA’s interests at all levels of government and advocate on behalf of ExpandLA with government officials and agencies. 
• Develop and implement ExpandLA’s outreach and advocacy strategy, including maintaining a database of policy contacts to advance ExpandLA’s work.

Communications

• Raise public awareness of the value of the expanded learning sector while uplifting the voices of youth and youth-serving organizations. 
• Brief the advisory and governing boards on all pertinent public policies related to the expanded learning sector and any potential advocacy actions as needed.
• Represent ExpandLA at designated public events, community and network meetings, legislative hearings and other public policy meetings.
• Develop policy and legislative documents such as fact sheets, briefs, presentations, and position papers.
• Write letters of support or opposition and coordinate organizational responses like calls to elected officials, and work with staff to mobilize the expanded learning community in support of such efforts.
• Draft talking points, presentations, and other materials for executive leadership.
• Draft policy content for social media, newsletters, reports and other documents.

Qualifications 

• Bachelor’s degree in related field required. Advanced degree a plus.
• A minimum of 5 years of experience working in public policy, organizing, youth development or related field.
• Proven ability to analyze local, state/federal policy, and to engage various stakeholders towards organizational priorities.
• Excellent research, verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills.
• Applicants with experience working in the youth development field or with school districts, and key community partners a plus.
• Strong leadership skills with a proven track record in leading strategy with diverse stakeholders and partners.
• Highly organized and able to undertake multiple projects simultaneously, set priorities, and ensure deadlines are met.
• Demonstrated ability to take initiative and problem solve.
• Fluency in Spanish (written and verbal) is desired but not required.
• Driver’s license required, and able to travel to meetings, events, etc. 
• Experience with Google Workspace products, Microsoft Office, Zoom, and an aptitude for learning new applications.
• Commitment to social and racial justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• A passion that aligns with ExpandLA’s core values and mission.

How to Apply

Interested qualified applicants should send applications to expandla.hr@expandla.org with “Policy & Communications Manager Position” in the subject line of your email. Applications received by April 30, 2024 will be prioritized. Only applicants selected for an interview will be contacted. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Applications should consist of:

1. Résumé
2. An existing writing sample that reflects your work or experience in the policy and communications field
3. Cover letter that addresses the following:

a) What about ExpandLA’s mission and this position appeals most to you?

b) Why are you a good fit for ExpandLA?

Workload and Physical Demands

This position requires occasional weekend and evening work as well as travel. The physical demands described here represent those that must be met by an employee to perform the essential functions of this position successfully. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions. While performing this position, the employee is regularly required to operate a personal computer for up to 8 hours a day and to talk on the telephone or webcam for multiple hours per day. The employee is required to lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Because this position has responsibilities requiring direct interactions with others, the employee will need to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, although reasonable accommodation requests will be considered.

Equal Opportunity Employer

ExpandLA is an equal opportunity employer. It is our policy to provide equal opportunity to all employees, applicants, and program beneficiaries. ExpandLA does not discriminate against any person because of race, creed, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, political affiliation, or citizenship. We encourage all qualified applicants, especially members of historically underrepresented groups, to apply.