Advocacy Campaign Manager

Overview

New Jersey Future’s Advocacy Campaign Manager will provide strategic direction on campaign oriented programs, oversee the creation and management of select advocacy campaigns and staff, and identify strategic programmatic and grant opportunities. There is a strong focus on community-oriented partnership campaigns that bridge local engagement with state policy change. Current issue areas include community health, water, and lead. The advocacy campaign manager is committed to environmental and social justice and skilled at policy advocacy and community organizing. Strong communications,
organizational, and teamwork skills are required, in addition to the ability to manage multiple priorities and relationships simultaneously.

The current priority campaign initiatives are:
● Manage the Sewage-Free Streets and Rivers (SFSR) campaign by developing and implementing campaign strategies and tactics, reviewing permits, developing and submitting policy recommendations, running the Sewage-Free Streets and Rivers Community Leaders Fellowship Program, and overseeing campaign communications and outreach with NJF administrative and communications teams. Manage the community organizer assigned to SFSR. SFSR is an action-oriented campaign that empowers community organizations to engage residents and small business owners to shape their communities’ solutions to reduce localized flooding and the raw sewage dumped into rivers and streams due to combined sewer overflows (CSOs).
● Support and guide the Lead-Free NJ (LFNJ) initiative working closely with the LFNJ project manager. Bring an understanding of larger system change, strategic planning, program development, and goal-oriented project planning and implementation to the initiative. LFNJ has a full-time project manager and full-time community organizer who works with both the LFNJ and SFSR campaigns. LFNJ is an advocacy-oriented collaborative working to ensure that children are free from lead poisoning through changes to state and local policy.

RESPONSIBILITIES
The Advocacy Campaign Manager responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
● Identify and advance program goals for existing and new campaigns through research, strategy and workplan development, project management, staff supervision, internal collaboration, and implementation. Ensure accomplishment of project goals and deliverables, as defined in grant proposals and work plans.
○ Overseeing program expenditures and keeping them within the budget.
○ Overseeing development and execution of strategic, effective communications.
○ Working with program staff to identify and foster synergies with related projects at NJF.
○ Working with minimal supervision.
○ Identifying and pursuing additional strategic programmatic and grant opportunities.

● Support NJF advocacy campaigns through a combination of strategic direction, guidance, hands-on management, leadership, and/or fundraising. Stay current on relevant policies and key decision-makers. Maintain relationships with potential advocacy partners.
● Manage program staff responsible for the daily activities. Recruit, hire, and orient staff. Support and brainstorm with program staff during regular check-ins to achieve project goals and ensure results, and coach where necessary. Conduct annual performance reviews. Coordinate support from other consultants, staff, and external partners, including in the areas of communications, government affairs, and policy.
● Liaison with funders and supporters to maintain and in some cases expand project funding, including developing a positive relationship with foundation program officers and partners. Work with NJF program and fundraising staff to ensure successful preparation of grant reports and proposals.
● Support broader organizational efforts by assisting with organizational events, special projects, strategy conversations, and committees. Build NJF’s networks and relationships.

REQUIREMENTS
● Experience in one or more of New Jersey Future’s key policy areas: water infrastructure, green stormwater infrastructure, lead remediation, state policy, planning and redevelopment, the environment, sustainability, or strong communities.
● Commitment to justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion by employing these values in all aspects of their work.
● Strong leadership skills with an ability to motivate, influence, and drive creativity and enthusiasm in direct reports, peers, partners, and decision-makers.
● Minimum of five years experience in community organizing, issue-oriented campaigns, and policy advocacy.
● Minimum of three years experience in program management, including demonstrated ability with results-oriented program development, budget development and management, and staff and consultant management.
● Demonstrated ability to assume responsibility, make sound decisions, and interact with a diverse group of individuals and sectors.
● Team player with a collaborative working style; proven ability to build consensus among a diverse group of actors.
● Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Ability to write grant proposals, reports, and blog posts with minimal guidance and editing.
● Excellent organizational skills, including the ability to manage multiple projects with minimal supervision.
● Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.

COMPENSATION: The salary for this position is in the range of $65,000-$78,000 and depends on the candidate’s experience and skills. Salary is negotiable. This is a full-time position with benefits, including paid time off, health, dental, vision, life insurance, short and long-term disability, and a 403(b) retirement plan.

APPLICATION: Interested and qualified candidates should submit a cover letter and a resume to HR@njfuture.org. If selected to advance, relevant references and work samples will be required.

New Jersey Future employees are working on a hybrid work-from-home and in-office schedule.