Technology & Leadership Center at Washington University in St. Louis

Policy Director

Technology & Leadership Center at Washington University in St. Louis

full-time

Posted on:

Location Type: Remote

Location: New York • United States

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Salary

💰 $162,940 - $168,440 per year

Job Level

Lead

About the role

  • Develop and build out TLC's policy department and supervise a multidisciplinary policy team, including the Deputy Director of Policy and other policy staff providing leadership, mentorship, performance management, and professional development using trauma-informed and equity-centered management practices, with attention to workload sustainability and political burnout.
  • Supervise, review, analyze and track legislation, provide technical assistance, and develop policy recommendations.
  • Build and advance a strategy on transgender rights across all governmental avenues, including legislation, administrative regulation, and state and local policy.
  • Oversee TLC's Policy department to implement legislative and policy strategies rooted in on-the-ground community needs and aligned with the Trans Agenda for Liberation and TLC's policy priorities.
  • Set policy agendas, lead advocacy campaigns, and align legal/policy efforts with broader organizational goals.
  • Meet with lawmakers, testify at hearings, draft legislation, and advocate for pro-trans laws while opposing harmful ones.
  • Streamline and coordinate TLC's legislative efforts to uplift and resource trans-led advocacy campaigns.
  • Formulate TLC policy positions on ongoing and emerging legislative issues, particularly those related to criminalization, immigration, HIV policy, and other TLC priority areas across all 50 states.
  • Keep TLC staff updated about federal, state, and local policy developments and solicit input as it relates to specific program areas, including immigration, disability justice, criminalization of trans and allied communities and work addressing violence against Black trans communities.
  • Develop or supervise the development of policy explainers and educational resources on federal, state, and local policy to be distributed to community partners.
  • Provide guidance to TLC staff and community partners on strategies to respond to proposed and enacted TGNC-related legislation.
  • Work collaboratively with our Narrative, Legal, and Programs teams, as well as Communications and Development, to lead coordinated national, state, and local-level rapid-response strategies, shared policy agendas, and aligned messaging, capacity, and funding priorities.
  • Lead rapid-response policy strategy to emerging legislative threats impacting TGNC communities, coordinating closely with Legal, Communications, and community partners.
  • Identify opportunities to deploy organizational resources to advance local decriminalization efforts, including HIV and sex work decriminalization.
  • Partner with Communications staff to develop clear, values-aligned policy narratives and public-facing messaging, including support for media engagement as appropriate.
  • Develop systems to track policy outcomes and advocacy impact, and report regularly to organizational leadership and funders to support accountability and sustainability.
  • Manage policy-related budgets, grants, and consultant resources in alignment with organizational priorities and capacity.
  • Engage in education efforts for community members and attorneys, including speaking at conferences, trainings, and webinars.
  • Serve as an organizational spokesperson and national expert on policy issues.
  • Other duties consistent with the scope of the position.

Requirements

  • 7 to 10 years of demonstrated experience implementing policy strategies with a particular focus on impacts on TGNC communities.
  • 7 to 10 years of demonstrated experience with leading a team focused on policy and legislative efforts.
  • Deep understanding of federal, state, local government policy making and how to advance policy priorities in these areas, including experience with building and maintaining relationships with key state representatives and government officials in priority departments.
  • Experience working with transgender migrants, Black trans communities, communities of color, poor, working class, transgender youth and disability communities and transgender and gender nonconforming communities.
  • A clear vision for how to advance trans rights through public policy work, including dismantling harmful policies and systems.
  • An ability to remain focused on rapid response needs and working toward long-term policy goals while existing in a changing landscape with shifting needs and priorities.
  • A clear passion for public policy work grounded in a critical analysis of the role of the state.
  • Willingness and capacity for frequent national travel.
Benefits
  • Medical/dental/vision (TLC covers 100% of premiums for employees, 80% for dependents).
  • Employer-funded Health Reimbursement Account (currently $3,500 per year).
  • Employer-funded Lifestyle Spending Account (currently $1,500 per year).
  • Optional employee-funded Flexible Spending Account.
  • Employee Assistance Fund that can grant financial assistance for certain qualifying disasters and personal hardships.
  • Short-term and long-term disability insurance.
  • 3 weeks’ sick leave.
  • 19 days’ vacation (24 after 3 years’ employment) and 12 holidays.
  • Organizational ‘slowdown’ in winter and summer, including, historically, 2 weeks paid time off in the summer and 2 weeks paid time off at the end of the year (separate from employee vacation time).
  • 2-month paid sabbatical program available after 5 years of employment.
  • Retirement plan with partial organizational matching.
  • Indemnity insurance for critical illness, hospital confinement, and accidents.
  • Professional development & coaching.
  • Office setup, phone and internet reimbursement (if working from home).
  • Additional mental health, budgeting, travel, and pet benefits.
Applicant Tracking System Keywords

Tip: use these terms in your resume and cover letter to boost ATS matches.

Hard Skills & Tools
policy developmentlegislation analysisadvocacy strategyperformance managementtechnical assistancecommunity engagementbudget managementgrant managementrapid-response strategyeducational resource development
Soft Skills
leadershipmentorshipcommunicationcollaborationstrategic thinkingpolitical acumenadaptabilitycritical analysispassion for public policyteam management