Senior Policy Advisor, Economic Mobility & Opportunity

The Southern Poverty Law Center is seeking a Senior Policy Advisor to spearhead bold and visionary policy solutions that expand access to economic opportunity.

The Senior Policy Advisor is responsible for leading strategic policy initiatives that expand pathways to economic opportunity, mobility for individuals in or near poverty, and expanding anti-discrimination civil rights protections, particularly in Black communities. This role requires an agile leader who blends creativity with strategic thinking and understands both the obstacles to economic opportunity and the deeper forces that drive them. The advisor will collaborate across teams and work with coalitions and policymakers to implement solutions that create an economy free of discrimination and where communities excluded from opportunity have the tools to thrive and build wealth.

Who You Are

Experienced Policy Lead. Proven track record of developing policy solutions, proposals, and recommendations and transforming them into actionable initiatives. Skilled in drafting legislation, conducting in-depth policy research, and building issue-based policy advocacy campaigns. Expertise spans areas including economic justice, poverty alleviation, civil rights and anti-discrimination laws, tax policy, home ownership, and other areas related to economic opportunity and mobility.

Strategic Visionary. Skilled at crafting a vision and taking calculated risks to develop and execute strategies and legislative proposals that advance affirmative policies and campaigns.

Innovative. Ability to craft and strategically advance innovative policy solutions to address systemic barriers to economic equity and expand opportunity.

Proactive Leader. Highly driven and resourceful, able to take initiative, work independently, and push projects forward without requiring constant supervision.

Coalition Builder. Experience working within diverse coalitions, leading grassroots campaigns, and engaging directly with impacted communities.

Code-Switcher. Extensive experience integrating research, legal policy, communications, and organizing expertise to drive policy change. Proven ability to assess and create effective strategies to achieve specific goals.

Advocate. Ability to advocate by serving as a public thought leader on SPLC’s affirmative policy work, representing SPLC in the media, at conferences, and in other public venues as assigned.

Collaborative. Proven ability to work across departments and with external stakeholders to implement strategies that advance legislative and policy objectives.

Effective Communicator. Strong communication skills, with the ability to persuasively engage diverse audiences through both written and spoken formats.

Mission, Vision & Culture Alignment. Deep understanding of SPLC’s mission and vision, with a strong commitment to justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion. Dedicated to fostering an anti-racist work culture and promoting anti-racist principles and learning.

What You'll Do

Draft policy materials (comments, letters, statements, testimony, talking points, fact sheets, recommendations) that articulate SPLC’s positions, supported by legal and policy analysis, on federal legislation, regulations, and executive actions related to economic opportunity.

Analyze federal legislation and regulations, providing policy recommendations to internal and external stakeholders, including policymakers, community members, and partners.

Cultivate and maintain relationships with key members of Congress, staff, federal administration officials, legislators, and partners to advance the affirmative economic agenda.

Organize briefings to elevate research and policy writing and facilitate the drafting and presentation of SPLC testimony before Congressional committees and federal agencies.

Collaborate with policy teams (federal, research, and regional) and other departments to develop and implement strategic policy advocacy plans on relevant SPLC priorities.

Coordinate internal and external meetings; work with SPLC staff, stakeholders, ally organizations, and coalition partners to develop and execute advocacy strategies.

Work with the Communications Department to craft communication strategies for campaigns.

Maintain up-to-date knowledge of relevant state and federal law and policy issues to support advocacy efforts.

Train and mentor policy staff and externs/interns.

Perform other duties as assigned within the scope of the position.

Uphold our JEDI principles by seeking diverse collaborators and partners who contribute to the shared mission, vision, and values of the Center and Policy Department.

Minimum Qualifications 

• At least ten (10) years of experience in public policy, with demonstrated knowledge and advocacy expertise in advancing economic opportunity, promoting racial equity and civil rights, and/or leading initiatives that challenge poverty-based barriers; and
• A Master’s degree.

Compensation & Benefits

This is an exempt role, and the minimum starting salary is $148,500 annually. Salary is commensurate with experience.

Click here to view the benefits available to SPLC staff.

Where & How You'll Work 

• Local Remote: Will work remotely but is expected to attend work-related activities that occur at the SPLC offices or in the states in which the SPLC operates.
• Telework: Will work at an SPLC office at least three days per week and may work two days per week from an alternative work location.
• This position will report to the Director of Federal Policy.

Other Special Considerations 

This job is performed under general office conditions and is not subject to any strenuous physical demands or dangerous conditions.

This position is represented by the Washington-Baltimore News Guild.

Disclaimer:

The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the employee in this position. These statements are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of a person in this position.

An Equal-Opportunity Employer with a Commitment to Diversity

Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) is proud to be an equal opportunity employer, and as an organization committed to diversity and the perspective of all voices, we consider applicants equally without regard to age, caregiver status, color, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, gender identity, marital status, national origin, on the basis of genetic information, political affiliation, pregnancy, or veteran status.