Manager, State and Local Policy

***Application Deadline: January 5th, 2025 12 pm EST***

Job Description:

Summary: The Manager of State and Local Policy plays a pivotal role in supporting our food system policy agenda, advancing compassion, justice, and sustainability for farm animals, communities, and the environment. They manage Farm Sanctuary’s advocacy agenda at the state and local levels by cultivating networks, engaging with state policymakers, and driving coalition initiatives to foster equitable, plant-based food systems. 

This role is remote, with a preference to the Washington, D.C. or Los Angeles area

Responsibilities:

• Manage strategic policy initiatives at the state and local levels and leverage opportunities to advance policy supporting just, sustainable, community-driven, plant-based food system transformations. 
• Manage the drafting, revision, and implementation of Farm Sanctuary’s state and local advocacy strategy and agenda, including, but not limited to, policy and legislation, litigation, coalition building, and events. 
• Identify, develop, and manage high-impact advocacy partnerships, including Farm Sanctuary’s ongoing state coalition work to support systems-level food system transformation. 
• Identify, develop, and support local coordinated advocacy initiatives to expand organization’s reach and impact. 
• Support internal coordination to ensure effective and equitable implementation of policy advocacy and external advocacy communications. 
• Perform outreach to state policymakers, staff, and relevant advocacy organizations to advance Farm Sanctuary’s state advocacy agenda. 
• Represent Farm Sanctuary in state and regional coalitions with aligned organizations to advance Farm Sanctuary’s state advocacy agenda, participating in coalition meetings and activities.
• Evaluate coalition opportunities and recommend strategic engagements aligned with Farm Sanctuary’s advocacy criteria.
• Review requests for Farm Sanctuary to join coalitions and sign on to letters, and recommend which opportunities to participate in, applying Farm Sanctuary’s advocacy decision-making criteria.
• Engage Farm Sanctuary’s members and supporters to advance Farm Sanctuary’s advocacy efforts, including by coordinating letter-writing campaigns, facilitating drafting and submission of legislative hearing testimony, and partnering with Farm Sanctuary’s communications team to draft and schedule action alerts. 
• Collaborate with the Senior Manager of U.S. Government Affairs, as necessary, to engage diverse stakeholders in federal, state, and local food system reform initiatives.
• Monitor, research, and report on relevant legislative and regulatory developments, providing timely updates to inform Farm Sanctuary’s advocacy strategies.
• Track Farm Sanctuary’s advocacy activities, providing written updates on state advocacy activities for Farm Sanctuary’s website, newsletters, and other constituent communications.
• Respond to advocacy-related inquiries from Farm Sanctuary constituents. 
• Contribute to the drafting and dissemination plans of Farm Sanctuary’s website and other external communications relevant to advocacy work. 

Preferred Qualifications:

• 3-5 years’ relevant experience working as a campaigner, community organizer, in Congressional or agency office, or in partnership development, with particular preference given to those with experience in food justice or food system sustainability. 
• Effective oral and written communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills
• Ability to think strategically and creatively, and proactively identify and solve problems
• Ability to work in  fast-paced environments, and handle varied tasks simultaneously while meeting tight deadlines
• Demonstrates interest in and support for the mission and campaigns of Farm Sanctuary
• Commitment to Farm Sanctuary’s values and the practice of equity and social justice principles within the organization and relevant external movements.

Successful applicants may not meet all of the qualifications. We encourage you to apply, even if you have a unique or non-traditional background. 

Specifications:

• Terms of employment: Regular Full-time, exempt position
• Reports to: Senior Director, Advocacy and Education
• Direct Reports: NA (subject to change) 
• Location: Remote, Washington D.C. or Los Angeles preferred
• Pay: $60-65k
• Travel: Travel may be required on a quarterly basis
• Benefits: Competitive benefits package, including 13 paid holidays; generous paid time off; health, dental, vision, and life insurance; 403(b) plan; flexible spending accounts; long-term disability insurance; free access to the CALM meditation app; and access to the Nivati wellness platform
• Additional Specifications: Requires schedule flexibility, including weekend and evening hours as needed.

Farm Sanctuary is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate on the basis of race, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, disability, or age. 

The job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required for this position. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.

Any photos or videos taken in the scope of employment and/or related to Farm Sanctuary are considered work product and intellectual property of Farm Sanctuary.

Our Process:

• Stage 1: 30-minute virtual interview with People & Culture
• Stage 2: Virtual Interview with Hiring Team
• Stage 3: Reference checks
• Stage 4: Job offer