Advocacy Manager

Overview

Title: Advocacy Manager

Reports to: Chief Mission Officer

Full Time (Salaried);
Exempt

Date Available: April 1, 2026

About Austin Parks Foundation

Austin Parks Foundation (APF) is dedicated to partnering with our community to enhance people’s lives by making our public parks, trails and green spaces better through volunteerism, innovative programming, advocacy and financial support. A non- profit established in 1992, APF fills the city’s funding and resource gap in order to develop, maintain and enhance the area’s nearly 400 parks, trails and green spaces.

Reporting to the Chief Mission Officer (CMO), the Advocacy Manager is a vital member of the APF Programs Team. Working with a variety of stakeholders, they play a key role in understanding the current political environment and maximizing APF’s impact. This position maintains and cultivates relationships with elected and appointed officials, and relevant city employees with the goal of supporting APF and a successful park system.

• Cultivate and strengthen relationships with city council offices in support of APF’s policy and government relations agenda
• Cultivate and strengthen relationships with parks board members and organizational partners
• Partner with Chief Mission Officer to develop and execute overarching advocacy strategy
• Support CMO in reviewing parks and recreation department assessments, unmet needs, strategic plans, and overall familiarity with PARD and the state of Austin’s parks
• Educate elected officials and their staff and stakeholders about APF and the state of Austin’s parks
• Attend and represent APF at city meetings including, but not limited to:
  City Council, Parks board, Climate, Water, Environment & Parks council committee and Audit and Finance council committee; speak during public comment or on specific agenda items when appropriate
• Stay informed and keep APF leadership up-to-date on relevant local new, regional, state and national city parks issues
• Monitor city budgeting and bond processes and cycles, and determine APF’s involvement in each
• Monitor city and regional legislation and policy activities, and work with APF leadership to analyze potential impacts on APF and Austin’s parks.
• Lead coalition advocacy efforts among partner organizations when appropriate
• Write blogs, newsletters and one pagers to educate and inform elected officials and APF network of APF achievements, activities and park policy; collaborate with marketing team on their execution
• Lead quarterly partner meetings and represent APF in various coalitions
• Work with Programs team to keep City Council members informed of APF projects and volunteer opportunities in their districts
• Work with Programs team to identify opportunities and work to inspire APF park stewards, volunteers and board members to become APF and park advocates
• Maintain strong relationships with City of Austin Parks & Recreation Department and community partners
• Manage advocacy budget and yearly goals
• Other duties as assigned

• Overall work experience of 5+ years required, with 2+ years of experience in advocacy, government relations, government affairs or other related field
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with expertise in distilling complex topics to diverse audiences
• Effective public speaking skills and self awareness
• Strong critical and strategic thinking skills
• Ability to develop and maintain relationships with public officials, their staff and organizational partners
• Ability and willingness to work as a team player, while at the same time able to work independently
• Excellent time management skills and the ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks simultaneously
• Positive attitude, proactive and self-motivated
• Committed to diversity, equity and inclusion
• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent work experience

• Knowledge of Austin political landscape, particularly Austin City Hall
• Knowledge of Austin’s parks, green spaces and trails

• This position is a hybrid role - work is conducted from one’s home office, the APF office and various locations around the city for…