Public Policy Manager

ABOUT US

United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County unites the community to identify and solve our most critical issues. We are dedicated to improving people's lives and creating community-level change. Our work includes leading cross‑sector collaborations, advocating for public policy changes and investing in programs that prevent problems from happening in the first place for those in need. Our strategy for improving quality of life and advancing the greater good involves focusing in four impact areas: 1.)

Ready Children - preparing children for kindergarten; 2.) Successful Students - empowering students to graduate and reach their full potential; 3.) Strong Individuals and Families - helping individuals and families become self‑sufficient 4.) Safety Net - addressing urgent and essential needs for those in crisis.

The Public Policy Manager advances United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County’s mission to unite the community to identify and solve our most critical issues by supporting policy, advocacy, research, and community engagement strategies that improve outcomes for children, students, families, individuals, and people in crisis. This role works across internal teams, community partners, public officials, coalitions, nonprofit organizations, and civic leaders to monitor policy trends, analyze legislation, develop advocacy materials, and support initiatives that align with UWSA’s community impact priorities.

This position will serve as the lead staff person for the organization’s internal public policy committee and be responsible for policy analysis, stakeholder engagement, government relations, advocacy strategy, and written/verbal communication. The ideal candidate is a collaborative, mission‑driven professional who can translate complex policy issues into clear recommendations, build trusted relationships across sectors, and help position UWSA as a respected convener and advocate for meaningful community solutions.

• Monitor local, state, and federal policy developments that may impact UWSA’s priority areas, including early childhood development, student success, family stability, economic mobility, emergency assistance, nonprofit capacity, and community safety net services.
• Analyze legislation, public funding opportunities, regulatory changes, and policy proposals to assess potential impact on UWSA, partner agencies, and the broader community.
• Prepare policy briefs, issue summaries, talking points, position statements, testimony, and other materials for internal leadership, board committees, partner coalitions, and external stakeholders.
• Support the development and implementation of UWSA’s annual public policy and advocacy agenda in alignment with organizational priorities and community needs.
• Translate data, community feedback, and partner insights into actionable policy recommendations.

• Build and maintain relationships with elected officials, public agency staff, civic leaders, nonprofit partners, coalitions, and advocacy organizations.
• Represent UWSA in policy‑related meetings, community forums, coalitions, task forces, and public hearings, as appropriate.
• Coordinate advocacy activities that elevate UWSA’s mission, community impact priorities, and partner agency needs.
• Track legislative sessions, city and county budget processes, public hearings, and policy initiatives relevant to UWSA’s work.
• Support leadership in preparing for meetings with public officials, funders, and community stakeholders.

• Partner with UWSA Community Impact staff to identify policy opportunities that support:
• Preparing young children for life
• Helping students succeed
• Strengthening individuals and families
• Supporting people in crisis
• Serve as the staff lead for the internal Public Policy Committee and collaborate with internal staff to connect policy work with program outcomes, community data, grant priorities, and partner agency feedback.
• Help ensure policy recommendations reflect the lived experiences of the communities UWSA serves.
• Support policy strategies that strengthen the…