Advocacy and Policy Manager

Location: New York

Empowering New York’s Asian American Community Since 1989

Advocacy and Policy Manager Founded in 1989, the Asian American Federation (AAF) is one of the strongest leadership voices advocating for better policies, services, and funding that lead to more justice and opportunity for Asian immigrants, one of the most historically under-resourced communities in New York City. As an umbrella leadership organization, we represent 70 community-based organizations serving 1.5 million Asian New Yorkers, the fastest-growing population in the city.

Overview:
Reporting to the Associate Director of Advocacy & Policy, AAF is seeking an experienced and motivated Advocacy and Policy Manager to help advance AAF’s policy and advocacy priorities across New York City and New York State. The Manager will independently manage assigned advocacy portfolios, campaigns, and external partnerships within the strategic direction established by the Associate Director and organizational leadership.

This person will translate advocacy priorities into coordinated action by developing work plans, managing projects and relationships, monitoring policy developments, producing substantive advocacy materials, and ensuring consistent follow-through from planning through execution. The ideal candidate brings experience in public policy, advocacy, government relations, coalition‑building or community‑based nonprofit work and is comfortable working across organizations and communities to turn complex policy priorities into coordinated action.

This role is well suited for someone who combines strong policy and advocacy skills with excellent project management, communication, and relationship‑building abilities. This person will exercise meaningful ownership and judgment in their day‑to‑day work while partnering closely with the Associate Director on organizational positions, significant political considerations, and broader advocacy strategy. This position is grant‑funded, and employment is contingent upon the availability of grant funding.

Key Responsibilities:

Policy Monitoring and Analysis

• Track and monitor relevant New York City and New York State legislation, budget developments, hearings, agency actions, and policy initiatives.
• Monitor and analyze city and state budget proposals, negotiations, and funding opportunities affecting AAPI communities and nonprofit service providers.
• Assess policy developments to identify opportunities, risks, and implications for AAF, its members, and the communities it serves.
• Draft clear, substantive advocacy and policy materials, including policy summaries, briefing materials, talking points, hearing testimony, advocacy letters, and internal updates.
• Prepare policy summaries, recommendations, briefing materials, hearing testimony, and internal updates for leadership and staff.
• Recommend potential advocacy or organizational responses and next steps based on emerging policy developments and community priorities.

Advocacy Campaigns and Public Affairs

• Lead or play a senior role in the planning, coordinating, and executing advocacy campaigns, including city and state budget advocacy, public awareness initiatives, legislative initiatives, and other policy priorities.
• Manage advocacy actions and activities such as rallies, hearings, sign‑on letters, advocacy days, public comments, partner outreach, meeting with policymakers, and stakeholder meetings.
• Lead assigned components of AAF’s city and state budget advocacy efforts, including funding campaigns, stakeholder engagement, testimony coordination, and coalition mobilization.
• Develop project plans, coordinate stakeholders, manage timelines and deliverables, and ensure effective follow‑through throughout the lifecycle of assigned campaigns.
• Identify and recommend tactics that advance AAF’s advocacy goals while responding to changing policy and political conditions.

Coalition and Stakeholder Engagement

• Serve as a bridge between AAF’s member organizations and the policy making process by gathering community knowledge, identifying shared concerns, and translating member perspectives into coordinated policy and advocacy priorities.
• Develop and facilitate listening sessions,…