Director, Policy & Advocacy

Position Summary

HIAS seeks a Director to lead U.S.-focused policy development and corresponding advocacy on asylum and immigration enforcement issues. Reporting to the Vice President, U.S. Policy & Advocacy, the Director will help to shape and advance HIAS’ policy agenda, represent HIAS before Congress, the Administration, the media, and key coalitions, and serve as a senior public spokesperson on U.S. immigration issues. The role works closely with executive leadership, internal departments, and HIAS’ affiliate network to ensure advocacy strategies are informed, coordinated, and impactful.

Note, this position is based at our headquarters in Silver Spring, Maryland.

The salary range for this position is $100,000-115,000.00.

Essential Functions

• Develops advocacy priorities and strategies to promote fair and humane immigration policies, with a primary focus on policies that affect immigrants, asylum seekers, and refugees in the United States.
• Meets and communicates with Congress and the Administration to provide HIAS’ analysis and policy recommendations to help influence more positive policies.
• Leads HIAS’ advocacy on appropriations related to asylum and immigration policy.
• Monitors relevant policies and political developments, including Congressional hearings, votes, floor sessions and Administration policy developments to communicate with colleagues, supporters, and other external audiences.
• Drafts HIAS policy and advocacy outreach materials including statements, letters, factsheets, web content, vote recommendations, legislation and other resources for a wide number of audiences, including Congress, other policy makers, HIAS’ affiliate network and the public.
• Represents HIAS in national coalitions and working groups, including but not limited to Amigos, Leg List, and the Asylum Working Group, to build strong relationships with advocacy partners and policymakers.
• Represents HIAS’ at meetings, conferences, and speaks to the media as requested.
• Collaborate with Communications, Legal, Community Engagement, leadership and the HIAS affiliate network to ensure advocacy is coordinated and grounded in field experience.
• Other duties as assigned.
  
  

Qualifications & Requirements

• Graduate degree required, ideally a JD.
• Minimum 7 years of demonstrated experience with US asylum policy/law and deep knowledge of current immigration enforcement policies.
• Outstanding written and oral communication skills; able to convey complex information in a simple and culturally appropriate manner to diverse external and internal audiences.
• Must have public speaking experience, as well as experience with speaking with media outlets.
• Excellent interpersonal and persuasive strategic communication skills, and ability to effectively build consensus among multiple stakeholders.
• Familiarity with the operations of Congress and/or federal agencies, including existing relationships with key stakeholders (including, but not limited to, policymakers and other advocates).
• Excellent organizational, problem-solving and project management skills required; ability to flexibly manage several projects simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.
  
  

External Representation

All employees are expected to represent the organization in alignment with HIAS' mission, vision and values. Some employees of HIAS are expected to speak externally on behalf of the organization with clients, donors, affiliates, partners, etc. as part of their work-related responsibilities. Applicants for these roles acknowledge and accept the inherent risk associated with external representation of HIAS.