Who we are:

The Vera Institute of Justice is powered by hundreds of advocates, researchers, and policy experts working to transform the criminal legal and immigration systems until they’re fair for all. Founded in 1961 to advocate for alternatives to money bail in New York City, Vera is now a national organization that partners with impacted communities and government leaders for change. We develop just, antiracist solutions so that money doesn’t determine freedom; fewer people are in jails, prisons, and immigration detention; and everyone is treated with dignity. For more information, visit vera.org.

Vera has a staff of 224 people, is headquartered in Brooklyn, New York and has offices in Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, and New Orleans. We are an equal opportunity employer with a commitment to diversity in the workplace. We expect our staff to embody respect, independence, collaboration, commitment, anti-racism, and equity—both in our outward-facing work and the internal culture of our workplace. We value a range of experiences in people’s educational backgrounds and encourage people who have been directly impacted by the criminal justice system to apply.

About the team:

The Advocacy Manager will play a key role in executing our state and local advocacy strategy for the Advancing Universal Representation Initiative and support its federal advocacy. The Advocacy Manager will report to the Associate Director of Advocacy and manage and execute advocacy in support of the Initiative’s advocacy priorities, focusing on New York, California, and jurisdictions in the SAFE (Safety and Fairness for Everyone) Network. They will support legislative outreach and coalition activities, collaboration with site leads to promote universal representation and the goals of the Fairness to Freedom Campaign, along with other aligned priorities.

About the role:

State and Local Advocacy 

  • Work with associate director of advocacy and the associate director of policy and programs to plan, manage, and execute state and local advocacy strategies, including budgetary measures, administrative policies, and legislation in support of universal representation and aligned priorities.
  • Represent Vera as a campaign leader in New York, California, and other priority jurisdictions.
  • Support site leads in advancing universal representation and aligned priorities in SAFE Network jurisdictions.
  • Work with associate director of advocacy to draft and regularly assess the annual state and local advocacy plans, making updates as necessary.
  • Plan and assist with campaign, coalition, and SAFE Network events, in collaboration with colleagues and partners.
  • Help the Urep Initiative navigate political government dynamics and timelines, including the specifics of legislative sessions, budgets, hearings, and other political processes.
  • Foster connections to Urep Initiative’s federal advocacy efforts and overall strategic goals through state and local advocacy.
  • Collaborate with lobbyists and other consultants as appropriate

Coalition work and movement building 

  • Work with the associate director of advocacy and associate director of policy and programs to lead the development of the advocacy and partnership/coalition strategies.
  • Participate in coalition spaces on immigration and other strategic areas in New York, California, and SAFE Network jurisdictions.
  • Effectively partner with grasstops and grassroots allies.
  • Provide and inform training on advocacy for colleagues and partners to improve the success of universal representation advocacy.
  • Plan and assist with movement building events in support of advocacy priorities.

Liaise with Vera communications and state and local policy staff across policy/advocacy spaces on immigration at Vera. 

  • Collaborate internally with Advocacy & Partnerships staff and other initiatives to build skills, identify areas for partnership, and aligned strategic goals.
  • Collaborate internally communications staff to advance strategic goals.

Other projects and duties as assigned

What qualifications are we looking for?

  • Experience with grass tops advocacy, lobbying, and campaigns.
  • Experience in immigration policy and advocacy.
  • Proven ability to develop and implement strategic advocacy plans.  

Preferred: 

  • Experience with New York State legislative advocacy or other state legislative advocacy strongly preferred.
  • Bachelor’s degree + 4-8 years of relevant experience.  In lieu of a bachelor's degree, applicable work or life experience may be considered.
  • Experience in the immigration reform space, building coalitions, allies, and strategy. 

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities you'll bring: 

  • Excellent writing and communication skills
  • Experience in public advocacy campaigns
  • Experience working in coalition spaces
  • Experience lobbying at the state or federal levels
  • Legislative drafting, research, or tracking
  • Ability to work collaboratively with a national, remote team
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite
  • Ability to identify needs and gaps in initiative and to proactively and creatively develop solutions and resources, as appropriate
  • Driver's license preferred

Technical knowledge helpful for this role:

  • Microsoft Office Suite; Zoom; Slack, Cloud-based project management programs used at Vera.

Location:

Please note this role will report to our Brooklyn, NY, office. Vera employees adhere to a hybrid schedule and are in-office on an alternating schedule that generally amounts to 10 days per month.

Compensation and Benefits:

The compensation range for this position is $114,000 - $117,000. Actual salaries will vary depending on factors including but not limited to experience and performance. The salary range listed is just one component of Vera Institute’s total compensation package for employees. As an employer of choice in our field, supporting Vera staff - both personally and professionally - is a priority. To do this, we invest in the well-being of our staff through other rewards including merit pay, generous paid time off, a comprehensive health insurance plan, student loan repayment benefits, professional development training opportunities and up to $2,000 annual for education costs and fees relevant to Vera work, employer-funded retirement plan, and flexible time. To learn more about Vera’s benefits offerings, click here. 

Applications may also be faxed to:

ATTN: People, Place, and Culture / Advocacy Manager, Advancing Universal Representation
Vera Institute of Justice
34 35th St, Suite 4-2A, Brooklyn, NY 11232
Fax: (212) 941-9407
Please use only one method (online, mail or fax) of submission.
No phone calls, please. Only applicants selected for interviews will be contacted.

Vera is an equal opportunity / affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without unlawful discrimination based on race, color, creed, national origin, sex, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, military status, prior record of arrest or conviction, citizenship status, current employment status, or caregiver status. 

Vera works to advance justice, particularly racial justice, in an increasingly multicultural country and globally connected world. We value diverse experiences, including with regard to educational background and justice system contact, and depend on a diverse staff to carry out our mission. 

For more information about Vera, please visit www.vera.org.

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