Policy Director

About the role

The Policy Director will lead NYJA’s advocacy and public policy efforts at the intersection of Jewish values and social justice. This role focuses on advancing equitable policies that reflect the organization’s commitment to justice, dignity, and the well-being of our democracy, in NYC, across the state, and beyond.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and advance NYJA’s policy agenda, including but not limited to: drafting Memos of Support and policy briefings, serving as a subject matter expert on relevant legislation, and staying apprised of key legislative and related developments related to Jewish communal priorities and broader social justice issues (e.g., combating antisemitism, racial justice, immigrants’ rights, economic equity, voting rights).
• Build and sustain relationships with elected officials, staffers, public agencies, and coalition partners to develop and advance our policy goals.
• Represent the organization in legislative meetings, coalition meetings, and rallies.
• Ensure all lobbying activities fall within the permissible scope for 501(c)(3) organizations, and maintain accurate lobbying records and reporting.
• Organize and facilitate public events, webinars, and briefings that explore the intersection of Jewish values and social justice policy issues.
• Empower and train Jewish community members to advocate for systemic change through grassroots organizing and direct advocacy, via sign on letters, lobby days, NYJA’s young leaders network, and more.
• Track outcomes, prepare impact reports, and contribute to grant proposals and reporting.
• Support other organizational needs related to political work, including social media, communications, and administrative tasks when needed.
• Manage website updates to ensure NYJA’s latest work is reflected for external audiences.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a field with an emphasis on research, writing, and politics or policy
• 2-4 years of experience in Jewish communal or political events, advocacy, or government relations—preferably within the nonprofit, government, or other Jewish communal settings
• Deep understanding of Jewish community, ideally in New York but not required
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate complex policy issues clearly and persuasively
• Proven ability to build partnerships across diverse communities and coalitions
• Commitment to anti-racism, equity, and inclusion

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience or knowledge of the NY/ US Jewish political context and ecosystem, as well as corollary political work in Israel-Palestine
• Familiarity with Canva, CRMs, and basic website and social media skills
• Familiarity with NY StateWatch or other legislative tracking tools
• Experience with voter engagement and community organizing