Strategic Advocacy and Communications Manager

This role advances the Thornburg Foundation’s public policy goals through coordinated advocacy (80%) and strategic digital communications (20%). It is ideal for a seasoned advocacy professional who understands New Mexico’s legislative and policy environment, brings experience building and coordinating coalitions, and can operate as both a strategist and a hands-on communicator.

Responsibilities

• Policy Advocacy (approx. 80%)
  • Develop and execute advocacy strategies in support of the Foundation’s five policy initiative areas: K–12 education, water, land and agriculture, homelessness, affordable housing, and nonprofit capacity building
  • Design and lead public-facing policy campaigns, including message development, stakeholder mobilization, and legislative engagement
  • Coordinate advocacy messaging and strategy across coalition partners, grantees, and allied organizations working in the Foundation’s issue areas
  • Track legislative and regulatory developments relevant to Foundation initiatives and develop timely, well-crafted public responses and position statements
  • Support policy officers in preparing testimony and advocacy materials for legislative hearings, agency proceedings, and stakeholder convenings
  • Build and maintain relationships with legislators, agency staff, advocacy organizations, and other policy stakeholders across the Foundation’s issue areas
  • Support grantees in developing their own advocacy capacity, messaging, and public engagement strategies
• Digital Communications (approx. 20%)
  • Manage day-to-day social media publishing across the Foundation’s platforms, ensuring consistent voice, timely posting, and alignment with advocacy priorities
  • Draft and produce the Foundation’s digital newsletter, coordinating content contributions from policy officers and the President
  • Develop short-form digital content—graphics, video clips, social copy—to support advocacy campaigns and policy milestones
  • Coordinate with the Foundation’s external communications agency on website content, earned media, and longer-form materials
  • Maintain and update the Foundation’s website with current initiative information, grantee stories, and advocacy resources

Requirements

• 5+ years of experience in policy advocacy, public affairs, legislative affairs, or issue-based campaigning
• Demonstrated ability to develop and execute advocacy campaigns, including message development, coalition coordination, and legislative engagement
• Deep familiarity with New Mexico’s legislative process, state agency landscape, and policy environment
• Experience translating complex technical policy content into persuasive public-facing communications
• Strong written communication skills across formats: position statements, op-eds, testimony, social media, and email communications
• Experience coordinating across multiple organizations or stakeholder groups toward shared advocacy goals
• Undergraduate degree in public policy, social sciences, communications, or related field

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in or with philanthropy, and understanding of the role and limitations of private foundations in advocacy
• Master’s degree
• Familiarity with one or more of the Foundation’s issue areas: education, water, agriculture, housing, or nonprofit capacity
• Experience with digital content creation, including graphic design, light video production, or social media management tools
• Spanish language proficiency; experience working with Tribal, Hispanic, or rural New Mexico communities

Benefits

• Competitive benefits package including health insurance, retirement contributions, and paid leave

Pay

$90,000 – $110,000, commensurate with experience

Schedule

Hybrid work schedule with 3 days per week in the Santa Fe, NM office.