Director of Policy & Advocacy

Pearson
ES Language Scorer (NY) in New York, NY

Company: FPWA
Location: New York City, NY
Employment Type: Full Time
Date Posted: 11/19/2025
Expire Date: 01/19/2026
Salary: 100+
Job Categories:Nonprofit and Volunteer Services

Director of Policy & Advocacy

ABOUT FPWA
Since 1922, FPWA has driven groundbreaking policy reforms to better serve those in need. We work to dismantle the systemic barriers that impede economic security and well‑being, and strengthen the capacity of human services agencies and faith organizations so New Yorkers with lower incomes can thrive and live with dignity. FPWA engages in research and analysis‑driven policy making and advocacy; program and practice testing to inform policy change;

strengthening capacity to build more effective and responsive organizations; and, raising awareness, educating and mobilizing on the issues and policies that most impede economic security and well‑being.

The Director of Policy & Advocacy leads the development, coordination and management of FPWA's policy and advocacy work. The Director will work closely with the Director of Research and Evaluation to ensure that FPWA’s research is in the service policy and that the policy and advocacy work is informed by research. Additionally, the Director works closely with FPWA’s Membership and External Relations Team and with several strategic stakeholders to influence legislative and budget outcomes to positively impact New Yorkers with low income and the health and human services organizations that serve them.

The successful candidate will be a creative, solutions‑oriented leader who can translate complex ideas into actionable policy solutions implementable at the city and state level and is able to build consensus to move policy solutions forward. This role reports to the Chief of Policy, Advocacy, and Research, and will be an integral part of furthering FPWA’s mission to dismantle the structural and systemic barriers that impede economic security and well‑being, and implement policies that support economic security for all by developing and leading a robust policy agenda.

• Lead and supervise a high‑impact policy team; define objectives and processes and to help inform the organization’s strategic planning and direction
• Develop, oversee, and coach senior PAR staff in the design, development, execution, and delivery of timely work that furthers the team’s objectives and goals
• Influence and partner with senior leaders to define city, state, and national policy strategy aligned with FPWA’s strategic direction and theory of change
• Develop and maintain strong working relationships with officials and staff at the New York City Council, Office of the Mayor, and City agencies, as well as with New York State legislators, committees, and executive offices, in order to align FPWA advocacy with government priorities and funding cycles.
• Develop and support internal capacity to conduct independent research and policy analysis (including budget and legislative)
• Remain informed and responsive in strategy and communication to policy developments that impact the human services sector and present opportunities for FPWA to take a leadership position
• Measure the effectiveness of policy work and initiatives; define and lead change to meet objectives
• Work in partnership with FPWA External Affairs team in coordinating the work of external partners (lobbying firms, consultants, etc.) to ensure that priority positions and targeted local, state and national advocacy outcomes are effectively achieved
• Collaborate and coordinate across the Policy and Research department and broader organization to ensure policy and advocacy priorities align with FPWA’s strategic direction and the needs of FPWA's membership network of nearly 170 human services and faith‑based organizations and sector at large
• Effectively partner across all organizational departments to enable and facilitate FPWA’s positioning across its core areas of focus and increase engagement of stakeholders through the strategic use of diverse media platforms
• Serve as ambassador of FPWA’s mission and policy and advocacy priorities; develop…