OPEN: Advocacy & Communications Team Lead

The Advocacy & Communications Team Lead will lead Hamkae Center’s grassroots advocacy work by shaping and implementing the policy and communications strategies to advance our mission and solutions to community identified needs. This position reports directly to the Executive Director and manages 2 full-time staff. 

Responsibilities:

Advocacy & Communications program (80%)

• Work with the leadership team to develop public policy agendas and strategies (advocacy and communications) for advancing those agendas for Hamkae Center and affiliated organizations’ priorities and mission. 
• Devise strategies with relevant staff to engage Hamkae Center’s base and allied organizations to influence policy and budget outcomes, including but not limited to providing or coordinating the development of talking points, needed materials, and/or trainings; synthesizing existing research or conducting original data/policy analysis.
• Present the policy positions and opinions of the organization to the public, government officials, and other organizations to win systemic change. 
• Develop and maintain positive working relationships with key local, state, and national elected officials to advance public policy agendas. 
• Represent Hamkae Center in relevant coalitions and public convenings.
• Remain informed about local and state policy and budget developments that relate to Hamkae Center and affiliated organizations’ priorities and mission. 
• Devise strategies with relevant staff to engage Hamkae Center’s base to shape public narrative, including but not limited to securing earned media.
• Develop and deliver a clear and effective system for internal and external communications for internal and external stakeholders. 

Leadership (20%)

• Manage the policy & communications team to support them to implement advocacy and communications strategy by grounding the team’s work on strategic objectives and key results, setting the work calendar, developing the budget, and developing annual goals. 
• Attend weekly staff and leadership staff meetings.
• Participate in year-round organizing, civic engagement, and fundraising campaigns with rest of Hamkae Center team.
• Be a thought partner to Executive Director  
• Other duties as assigned

Required Qualifications:

• Mission alignment: Commitment to social, economic and racial justice. A belief in community’s ability to support each other, organize and achieve desired goals together.   
• Critical thinking and problem-solving ability: Quickly grasps complex issues and identifies patterns in challenges. Comes up with insightful, pragmatic, and sustainable ways to tackle common challenges and make positive change. Can prioritize. 
• Excellent communication skills in person, in writing, and by telephone and by email, demonstrating professionalism, courtesy, and respect to a variety of audiences. Takes pride in providing clear, helpful information. 
• Highly organized: can create a system from keeping tasks from slipping through the cracks. Excellent time management and ability to meet deadlines and work under pressure. Gets back to people in a timely manner. 
• Detail-oriented and track record of planning: Can take a concept from idea to implementation and make sure no one is left behind. Plans backwards to make deadlines.  
• Vision and goal-setting: Adapts to the evolving needs of the organization and thinks 3 steps ahead to develop solutions that achieve goals in their realm.  Strong sense of ownership and resilience. Can lead a team to meet shared goals. 
• Resourceful: Leverages resources to creatively solve problems. Proposes solutions to issues without much guidance, but isn’t afraid to ask questions. Proactively asks for help, anticipates problems, and course-corrects where needed. 
• Attentive and empathetic leadership: Enthusiasm for meeting and engaging with people. Empathizes with the communities we serve. Listens closely to understand needs or concerns and takes steps based on that input.  
• Coach and learning mentality: Helps others grow. Uses coaching and feedback to develop others and support independent problem-solving. Sees mistakes as learning opportunities. Seeks and engages well with feedback. 
• Background: prior knowledge of or experience in Virginia’s legislative or political environment 
• Interest in politics and policy. Stays up-to-date in an ever-changing political environment and can recognize the impact to our work. 
• Live in Richmond, VA (Central Virginia) 
• Driver’s license and access to car.  
• Plus: Bilingual in an Asian language

Additional Details

• Location: Richmond, VA / Central Virginia (must be able to travel to Northern Virginia occasionally)
• Job Type: full-time
• Reports to: Executive Director
• Pay + Benefits: $62-65K (commensurate w/ experience). Primarily remote position. Full health, dental, and vision insurance.  401(k) matching. Also, paid time off, vacation, sick days (if you, a partner, or a family member are sick), and other leave time customized to your unique circumstances. We close the first week of July and December 25 – January 1 for reflection and rejuvenation.

To apply:

Send your resume and 3 professional references to soh@hamkaecenter.org with the subject “Policy & Communications Team Lead”. Priority deadline: 11:59pm EST on April 19, 2024.

Appropriate professional references are people who can speak to your character and work/volunteer experience. We would prefer if one of the references had some sort of supervisory relationship with you. We have found it helpful if applicants could let references know that someone with Hamkae Center will contact them if only to facilitate references responses.  When sending reference information, please include their:

• Full name
• Phone Number and/or Email address
• Short description of your professional relationship with the references

Supplementary: submit up to two paragraphs as to why this position interests you. 

About Hamkae Center

Hamkae Center organizes Asian Americans in Virginia to achieve social, economic, and racial justice. Through community organizing, public policy advocacy, civic engagement, and youth leadership development, Hamkae Center works to build a future in which low- and middle-income, immigrant, people of color, and marginalized communities can fully participate in U.S. society and work together as makers of lasting change. We are the Virginia affiliate of the NAKASEC Network.

Hamkae Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer. People from a wide range of backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply. We are committed to a diverse workplace and supporting our staff with ongoing career development opportunities.