Policy Director

Type: Regular, Full-Time, Exempt, Management Position 

Location: San Francisco, CA. This is a hybrid role that is required to work in our San Francisco office two (2) days a week.  Statewide travel is required; some domestic travel is expected.

Deadline:  Applications are due by Friday, Sept 11. 

Reports to: Chief Advocacy Officer

Compensation and Benefits:

This is a Full-time, Exempt position. The annual compensation depends on years of relevant experience and ranges from $143,147 to $170,925. 

ALC’s comprehensive benefits package includes the following: generous vacation and paid holidays; medical, dental, disability, and life insurance coverage (ALC pays 100% of premiums for employees and 75% for qualified dependents); a flexible spending account (FSA); commuter benefits; and 401(k) retirement plan with employer non-elective contribution and match. 

Travel & Meetings: All ALC staff are expected to participate in regular check-in meetings with  their supervisor/supervisees, staff meetings, team meetings, and other organization meetings, as  required. This includes two (2) annual retreats, an anniversary celebration dinner, and meetings as  needed in the San Francisco Bay Area. Occasional travel within the United States to attend external key stakeholder, funder, partner, meetings and/or convenings are expected, as needed.

The Opportunity

Asian Law Caucus (ALC) seeks a full-time Policy Director to lead its policy advocacy efforts and drive systemic change at a pivotal moment for our communities and our democracy. This is a leadership opportunity at the first Asian American and Pacific Islander civil rights organization in the country at a time when rising authoritarianism and relentless federal attacks on civil liberties, through executive orders, agency actions, and the dismantling of civil rights protections, demand sophisticated, coordinated advocacy.  ALC is pursuing an ambitious agenda for economic equity, immigrant justice, and inclusive democracy, and the Policy Director will play a central role in shaping and advancing that agenda. With the rapid growth and activation of Asian American and Pacific Islander (API) communities, we have an opportunity to build alignment with a diverse group of API grassroots partners and build solidarity with other communities of color.

The Policy Director is responsible for the direction, development, and execution of ALC’s policy priorities on local, state, and federal issues impacting low-income Asian American and Pacific Islander communities, including Arab, Middle Eastern, Muslim, and South Asian communities.

The Policy Director leads ALC’s legislative advocacy, builds and maintains coalition relationships, and ensures that policy work is integrated with ALC’s litigation, communications, and community engagement strategies.

The Policy Director is our expert on legislative advocacy and policy development. In partnership with the Chief Advocacy Officer and the Senior Leadership Team, the Policy Director will guide the development of coordinated advocacy efforts that connect legal strategy, policy change, and narrative strategy.  

The ideal candidate is a seasoned advocate with substantive expertise in at least one of ALC's core issue areas, who brings deep political savvy and the ability to position ALC's leadership effectively in legislative and coalition spaces. ALC is looking for a strategic movement leader who produces rigorous policy analysis, writes compellingly for multiple audiences, leads coalitions effectively, and builds the policy capacity of attorneys and advocates across the organization.

The Organization

ALC is the nation’s first legal organization focusing on advancing and defending the civil rights of Asian and Pacific Islander (API) communities. Since 1972, ALC has fought for access to affordable housing in San Francisco’s Chinatown, litigated high-profile civil rights cases, including at the Supreme Court, advocated for landmark policy changes, and provided direct client representation and community education to further the rights of low-income immigrants and communities of color. Current program areas include Housing Rights, Workers’ Rights, Immigrant Justice, and Inclusive Democracy.

Core Responsibilities

Policy Development, Analysis, & Strategy 

• In alignment with ALC’s strategic priorities, develop and lead a robust policy strategy and legislative agenda that addresses the most pressing issues our communities are facing.

• Produce rigorous substantive policy analysis and written work product, including policy memos, legislative analyses, factsheets, FAQs, explainers, testimony, and position letters, for a range of audiences including policymakers, coalition partners, funders, and the public.

• Lead the collaborative development, implementation, and evaluation of policy goals and advocacy strategies ensuring integration with litigation, communications, and community engagement. 

• Oversee organization-wide systems for state and federal legislative and budget tracking, including tracking legislation and budget items and drafting and ensuring timely submission of position letters and other advocacy materials.

External & Legislative Affairs 

• Lead and manage ALC's participation in policy coalitions at the local, state, and national level, including taking leadership roles where appropriate and actively convening partners around key policy priorities, positioning ALC as a policy thought leader and trusted convenor. 
• Develop and sustain relationships with elected officials, legislative staff, government agencies, and coalition partners to advance ALC's policy agenda, and position the organization and senior leadership for high-level external engagement with key policymakers and partners. 
• Ensure ALC's compliance with lobbying registration, reporting, and disclosure requirements at the local, state, and federal level. 

• Serve as a member of the Senior Leadership Team, contributing to organizational strategy and decision-making
• Develop and manage the annual budget for the policy department; and assist with fundraising activities, including grant reporting and funder engagement.
• Recruit, hire, supervise policy team staff to produce effective work plan implementation
• Develop staff through ongoing coaching, mentorship, and individualized growth planning, including regular 1:1s and performance conversations while fostering  a culture of collaboration and creativity
• Provide training, both formal and informal, for program staff across ALC's programs, including attorneys,to strengthen their policy analysis, legislative advocacy skills, and political analysis. 
• Develop tools, trainings, and systems that build policy capacity organization-wide.

• J.D., MPP, MPA, or equivalent and substantive experience in at least one of ALC’s core issue areas.
• At least eight (8) years of experience and deep knowledge of public policy, advocacy, and the legislative process
• 3 to 5 years of experience managing and supervising staff, and leading a team
• Demonstrated track record of success creating and implementing advocacy and/or legislative strategies, ideally in an “in-house”  role within a complex organization
• Ability to translate complex law and policy into easily digestible materials for a lay audience
• Demonstrated political savvy, including the ability to read the legislative and political landscape, understand power dynamics among elected officials and coalitions, make strategic judgments about when to push and when to hold, and position ALC effectively in complex political environments. 
• Demonstrated commitment to building power for and with grassroots communities
• Knowledge of current issues impacting low-income API & AMEMSA communities, including key organizations, elected offices, and agencies
• Excellent verbal, analytical, writing, facilitation, and interpersonal skills
• Ability to work flexible hours and respond promptly to urgent requests and fast-moving developments in legislative advocacy
• Sincere commitment to work collaboratively with all constituent groups, including staff, board members, volunteers, community groups, donors, program participants, and other supporters

Application Process
Interested candidates should submit via BreezyHR the following:

1. Cover letter explaining your interest in the position
2. Resume
3. One writing sample (no more than ten (10) pages)
4. Three (3) professional references (including at least two direct supervisors)

Asian Law Caucus is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified persons are encouraged to apply, regardless of race, color, religion, religious creed (including religious dress and grooming practices), national origin, ancestry, citizenship, physical or mental disability, medical condition (including HIV, cancer and genetic characteristics), genetic information, marital or domestic partner status, reproductive health decision-making, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions) gender (including gender identity and gender expression), age (40 years and over), sexual orientation, veteran and/or military status, protected medical leaves (requesting or approved for leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act or the California Family Rights Act), domestic violence victim and survivor status, political affiliation, height, weight, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local laws.