Position: Policy Director
Location: New York City Metro area; hybrid / remote
Reports To: Executive Director
Position Type: Full-Time, Exempt
Position Overview:
The Policy Director will lead NYJA’s advocacy and public policy efforts at the intersection of Jewish values and social justice. This role focuses on advancing equitable policies that reflect the organization’s commitment to justice, dignity, and the well-being of our democracy, in NYC, across the state, and beyond. With the Executive Director, the Political Director will design and execute events and campaigns, including community education, legislative advocacy, and community mobilization. They will follow and report internally on policy and political discourse related to NYJA’s platform areas, both within New York City and State as well as developments in national policy.
About Us:
New York Jewish Agenda (NYJA) is a New York nonprofit advocacy organization.
Mission: New York Jewish Agenda advocates, organizes, and convenes to promote the values of liberal Jewish New Yorkers to influence state and local policies, politics, and the communal discourse.
Vision: a future where the Jewish communal and political discourse in New York are deeply rooted in and guided by liberal Jewish values.
Key Responsibilities:
- In conjunction with the Executive Director, develop and advance NYJA’s policy agenda, including but not limited to: drafting Memos of Support and policy briefings, serving as a subject matter expert on relevant legislation, and staying apprised of key legislative and related developments related to Jewish communal priorities and broader social justice issues (e.g., combating antisemitism, racial justice, immigrants’ rights, economic equity, voting rights).
- Build and sustain relationships with elected officials, staffers, public agencies, and coalition partners to develop and advance our policy goals
- Represent the organization in legislative meetings, coalition meetings, and rallies
- Ensure all lobbying activities fall within the permissible scope for 501(c)(3) organizations, and maintain accurate lobbying records and reporting
- Organize and facilitate public events, webinars, and briefings that explore the intersection of Jewish values and social justice policy issues
- Empower and train Jewish community members to advocate for systemic change through grassroots organizing and direct advocacy, via sign on letters, lobby days, NYJA’s young leaders network, and more.
- Track outcomes, prepare impact reports, and contribute to grant proposals and reporting
- Support other organizational needs related to political work, including social media, communications, and administrative tasks when needed
- Manage website updates to ensure NYJA’s latest work is reflected for external audiences
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in a field with an emphasis on research, writing, and politics or policy
- 2-4 years of experience in Jewish communal or political events, advocacy, or government relations—preferably within the nonprofit, government, or other Jewish communal settings
- Deep understanding of Jewish community, ideally in New York but not required
- Knowledge of social justice frameworks and legislative processes
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate complex policy issues clearly and persuasively
- Proven ability to build partnerships across diverse communities and coalitions
- Commitment to anti-racism, equity, and inclusion
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience or knowledge of the NY/ US Jewish political context and ecosystem, as well as corollary political work in Israel-Palestine
- Familiarity with Canva, CRMs, and basic website and social media skills
- Familiarity with NY StateWatch or other legislative tracking tools
- Experience with voter engagement and community organizing
What Else You Should Know
Eligibility
You must be legally eligible to work in the United States.
Status
This is a salaried, exempt, full-time position (i.e., 40 hours per week).
Salary
The salary range for this full-time position is $68-$75k per year.
Our Timeline
Applications will be accepted, and interviews will be conducted, on a rolling basis. Our ideal start date for this position is August 10th, 2026, or as soon as possible.
How to apply:
Please send the following materials to hr@nyja.org with the subject line: Application – Policy Director – [name]
- Resume
- Cover letter detailing why you are a good fit for this role
We encourage you to apply even if you do not believe you meet every single qualification. Not all strong candidates will meet every single qualification as listed. Research shows that people who identify as being from underrepresented groups are more prone to experiencing imposter syndrome and doubting the strength of their candidacy, so we urge you not to exclude yourself prematurely and to submit an application if you’re interested in this work.
NYJA is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected characteristics. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply, and we welcome candidates from all backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives to join our team.
