The American Immigration Council works to strengthen America by shaping how America thinks about and acts towards immigrants and immigration and by working toward a more fair and just immigration system that opens its doors to those in need of protection and unleashes the energy and skills that immigrants bring.  

Position Summary

The Policy Director, in collaboration with the Senior Director of Policy and Research, the Managing Director of Programs, and other senior staff, works to advance an agenda that aligns with the strategic goals of the Council. This role directs the Council’s administrative and legislative advocacy and leads the Council’s efforts to provide lawmakers, policymakers, advocates, the media, and the public with accurate and timely information about the role of immigrants and immigration policy in the United States’ society. The Director oversees the policy department and ensures that the department is providing up-to-the-minute analysis of emerging immigration policy issues, including those related to immigration detention and enforcement practices, changes to the structure and implementation of humanitarian programs and protection mechanisms, adjustments to future flows of immigration, and impacts on the quality of due process afforded by the immigration system.  

As with all positions at the Council, this position requires commitment to the Council’s mission. 

Essential Job Functions 

• Develop and implement the overarching strategic direction of the Policy team, honing administrative and legislative strategies and preparing concise, well-written, and appropriately documented analysis of priority issues, including analysis of legislation and administrative proposals, statements for congressional hearing, regulatory comments to immigration agencies and informational fact sheets and special reports.  
• Work collaboratively with the Legal department, Immigration Justice Campaign, and State & Local teams to identify immigration issues that require greater study and analysis. Adapt and present analyses to a wide variety of audiences, including donors, media, and policymakers. Develop relationships with key congressional staff and provides updates or briefings to staff regularly. 
• Engage with media to explain complex immigration issues in a coherent, persuasive, and informative manner to ensure that accurate information and the Council’s vision for a 21st century immigration system are effectively communicated. In close communication with media staff, cultivate and maintain strong working relationships with journalists covering immigration issues, and serves as a lead voice for the Council to all media outlets, external organizations, and coalitions. 
• Manage the Policy team, providing guidance, mentorship, and professional development opportunities to team members while effectively and efficiently delegating tasks and assignment that further the Council’s key priorities. 
• Apply high-level thinking and writing in initiating, drafting, and editing fact sheets and other policy or advocacy resources, as needed. Assist with reviewing organizational publications to ensure consistency with Council policy positions. Review and edit (and occasionally author) blog posts to ensure that policy positions are consistent with those taken by the Council. 
• Develop and cultivate relationships with external colleagues; represents the Council in working group and stakeholder meetings and takes a leadership role in advocating for policies that further the Council’s key priorities.  
• Work with the Executive Director and senior staff to develop the annual plan, develops department work plan and ensures that goals are met, and reports on Council’s progress to the Board of Directors.  
• Work with the Senior Director of Policy and Research and Director of Finance to develop the department budget and ensure that department resources are appropriately and effectively utilized. Develop and draft grant proposals and reports to funders (both formally and informally) about progress of work. 
• Perform other related duties and tasks as assigned by the Executive Director and Managing Director of Programs, including supporting the needs of the Board of Directors and Committees. 
•  The Policy Director will supervise the following staff positions: Senior Policy Counsel, Policy Associate, and Policy Interns and Assistants. The Director is accountable for total performance management of these positions, including selection, termination, performance reviews, salary administration and career development.  
• Some travel is expected for this position.   

• Advanced degree in a relevant field (such as: Government or Law)
• J.D. preferred

Qualifications Include: 

• A strong understanding and commitment to the Council’s mission and values. 
• A minimum of ten (10) years of relevant experience, prior demonstrated leadership in an area of work, prior staff management experience. 
• Strong leadership skills, including experience supervising and mentoring staff members. 
• Demonstrated ability to think creatively and work strategically. 
• Familiarity with the interplay among policy, legal, and education strategies. 
• Significant public speaking experience. 
• Excellent organizational skills, ability to juggle multiple responsibilities. 
• Intermediate to advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (specifically Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint). 
• Demonstrable ability to develop and manage a strategic plan with multiple projects and deadlines. 
• Proven ability to manage a high performing team.  
• Ability to analyze and synthesize complex issues and explain information to a general audience. 
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.  
• Attention to detail, accuracy, and thoroughness. 
• Ability to manage multiple assignments and shift focus quickly. 
• Capacity to form positive working relationships with people from varied backgrounds and ability to maintain confidentiality. 
• Familiarity with immigration law, current immigration policy issues, and immigration scholarship, generally. 
• Understanding of the relationship between research and policy. 
• Experience working in or with Congressional offices strongly preferred. 
• Spanish proficiency preferred. 

Knowledge 

• Possesses expert knowledge of the Council, along with its policies, processes, and work standards. 
• Knowledge of best practices of non-profit Boards and experience working with Boards. 
• Position requires a proven record of accomplishment in the facilitation of change within a growing organization.   

Skills 

• Provides external leadership for the organization. 
• Sound judgment. 
• Excellent problem-solving skills. 
• Negotiation and conflict resolution skills. 
• Effective communication skills – both oral and written. 

Abilities 

• Ability to engage, influence, and inspire others. 
• Ability to coach and mentor diverse levels of talent. 

Relationship Management 

• Fosters relationships which span across all levels internally and externally of the Council and centers advancing the Council’s goals, mission, and values. 
• Collaborates with external partners in a way that demonstrates expert knowledge of the organization. 
• Utilizes diplomacy, innovation, and creativity when resolving non-routine matters that impact achievement of the Council’s goals and objectives. 

For consideration, qualified applicants are to submit a resume and cover letter. The cover letter should include a summary of how your background, knowledge, and skills relate to the responsibilities and requirements of the position.

NOTE: Applications without cover letters with desired salary may not be considered.

Our Workplace . . .

We are a fully remote workplace. The Council offers a competitive compensation and benefits package including a 401(k) with organization match; health, dental, and vision plans; life insurance; short- and long-term disability; paid time off to include company, personal, and individual holidays, vacation, sick, and parental leave.

Your Colleagues. . .

• Dedicated, dynamic, collaborative, and compassionate.
• A community of individuals passionate about their work.

The annual base salary range for this position is between $140,000 - $150,000.

Equal Employment Opportunity: All employment decisions shall be made without regard to age, race, creed, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, disability status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, citizenship status or any other basis as protected by federal, state, or local law.