Public Policy & Advocacy Coordinator

BENEFITS:

YWCA Greater Pittsburgh offers a generous and competitive benefits package including:

Medical, dental, and vision benefits options
Employer-paid life insurance, short-term & long-term disability
10 paid holidays + 1 floating holiday
27 days of paid time off (PTO)
Employee assistance program
403B
Child care discount at Homewood Education Center
Professional development opportunities
Ability to participate in PSLF (Public Service Loan Forgiveness) program if eligible

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Public Policy and Advocacy Manager is a critical member of YWCA Greater Pittsburgh’s (YWCA GP) Center for Race and Gender Equity team. This high-functioning, professional staff member represents the agency’s mission, speaks and writes on behalf of YWCA GP, and understands the distinction between YWCA GP’s approved advocacy agenda and personal perspectives on policy matters.

The Manager leads advocacy and systems-change initiatives that advance YWCA GP’s mission to eliminate racism, empower women, and promote peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all. The role requires strong storytelling, strategic thinking, relationship-building, and public policy engagement skills to develop advocacy campaigns and meaningful relationships with policymakers, legislators, coalition partners, and community stakeholders.

The Manager reports to the Chief Executive Officer, works closely with program directors and senior team members, serves as a staff representative to the Board of Directors Advocacy Committee, and acts as YWCA GP’s liaison for YWCA Pennsylvania association network’s statewide advocacy efforts.

Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS:

Bachelor’s degree required; master’s degree preferred in public policy, social work, nonprofit leadership, public administration, political science, or a related field.
At least two years of demonstrated advocacy, government relations, or public policy experience.
Strong understanding of public policy processes at the local, state, and federal levels.
Excellent interpersonal, organizational, administrative, writing, and public speaking skills.
Demonstrated ability to build and maintain professional relationships with policymakers, coalition partners, community stakeholders, and internal teams.
Ability and willingness to conduct outreach, including cold outreach, as required for the position.
Experience working with diverse communities and a demonstrated commitment to race and gender equity.
Ability to manage multiple priorities, adapt to shifting advocacy opportunities, and work both independently and collaboratively.
Commitment to YWCA GP’s mission.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Manager is responsible for advancing mission-aligned advocacy through coordination, relationship-building, public policy engagement, and community education. This includes building relationships with local, state, and federal legislators and staff; policymakers; mission-aligned coalitions; and partner agencies.

The Manager aligns local advocacy efforts with YWCA USA’s Public Policy and Advocacy team and supports public policy and systems-change efforts connected to YWCA GP’s mission, Board-approved advocacy agenda, and YWCA USA advocacy priorities. Priorities may shift based on funding, community needs, relationship-building opportunities, and local, state, and national advocacy goals. Some evening and weekend work is required. Other duties may be added as YWCA GP expands its network of support and updates its advocacy priorities.

Advocacy

Develop and maintain relationships with policymakers, legislators, government officials, and staff at the local, county, state, and federal levels, as appropriate.
Monitor federal, state, and local policy developments that impact YWCA GP’s advocacy priorities.
Draft advocacy materials, including policy briefs, fact sheets, letters, action alerts, talking points, and materials for CEO meetings and speaking engagements.
Serve as an external liaison with legislators and public officials on matters related to YWCA GP’s advocacy priorities.
Coordinate legislator tours, meetings, and related materials.
Manage advocacy campaigns aligned with YWCA GP’s mission and Board-approved advocacy agenda.
Plan and coordinate advocacy events in partnership with YWCA USA, YWCA Pennsylvania associations, and mission-aligned agencies, including efforts tied to budget appropriations, Equal Pay Day, commemoration days and months, and other timely advocacy opportunities.

Awareness and Education

Collaborate with the Development team on communication materials and digital collateral aligned with advocacy priorities and awareness and education campaigns.
Provide research, data, and success stories to support Development in identifying new funding opportunities.
Coordinate recruitment, engagement, and impact tracking for YWCA GP’s implementation of YWCA USA campaigns, including Until Justice Just Is, Get Out the Vote, and Week Without Violence.
Arrange discussions, presentations, trainings, and analysis of barriers to race and gender equity in alignment with YWCA GP’s advocacy priorities.
Collaborate with program leadership to increase awareness of YWCA GP’s mission, services, and advocacy priorities.
Coalition Building and Strategic Partnerships

Participate in coalitions, partnerships, and campaigns that advance YWCA GP’s mission to eliminate racism and empower women, including efforts such as Level Up Greater Pittsburgh and Voting Is Power.
Promote awareness of local, state, and national issues related to racism, sexism, and women’s empowerment, and recommend education, awareness, and action strategies to advance the mission.
Work with YWCA Pennsylvania network associations to advance aligned advocacy efforts through joint legislative briefings and other statewide advocacy activities.
Amplify participant and family voices when appropriate and with consent, and mobilize participants and families in advocacy and organizing efforts.
Represent YWCA GP at appropriate advocacy meetings, coalitions, public forums, and events that further the organization’s advocacy agenda or build relationships with governmental entities and officials.
Provide staffing support for the YWCA GP Board of Directors Advocacy Committee, including preparation of updates on advocacy efforts for the Board of Directors in partnership with the CEO and Advocacy Committee Chair.