The Connecticut Project
Policy & Advocacy Strategist
The Connecticut Project, New Haven, Connecticut, us, 06540
The Connecticut Project (TCP) is a social change organization that leverages strategies and tools to align around, invest in, advocate for, and generate real-world outcomes and systems change for people who are lower-income or asset-limited. We work for a just, thriving, and optimistic Connecticut where race, gender, income, geography, and other circumstances no longer predetermine opportunity.To achieve positive social and economic mobility in the state, we focus on increasing access to safe and affordable housing; ensuring every child has access to an affordable and high-quality early childhood education; increasing economic opportunity by improving access to financial safety net programs, well-paying, stable jobs, and wealth-building supports; and ensuring that our state’s governance and resources are responsive to and supportive of the needs of low-income and asset-limited people. Additionally, we support intersectional issues facing low-income and asset-limited households, including healthcare access, the criminal legal system, and the specific needs of immigrants.Position OverviewThe Policy and Advocacy Strategist will conceptualize, plan, and execute high-impact issue-based campaigns that advance the mission of the organization and increase the visibility and success of our policy and advocacy work at the Connecticut General Assembly and Executive Administration. The Policy and Advocacy Strategist will work under the supervision of the Director of Policy and Advocacy and in close collaboration with the Engagement and Mobilization Manager, as well as other strategists on the Policy and Advocacy Team, The Connecticut Project staff, coalition partners, and community members. The Strategist will work on behalf of both The Connecticut Project, where they are an employee, and The Connecticut Project Action Fund, an affiliated 501c4 of TCP. This is a full-time, salaried position.Core Responsibilities
Policy DevelopmentUnder the supervision of the Director of Policy and Advocacy:
Assist TCP focus area staff in developing issue maps, mapping political stakeholders, and power mapping their public policy agenda.Collaborate with TCP focus area staff on meetings with elected officials and legislative or executive branch staff on matters related to public policy and lobbying.Monitor TCP’s issue area priorities by tracking legislation and collaborating with TCP focus area staff on evaluation and potential action.
Executive & Legislative AdvocacyUnder the supervision of the Director of Policy and Advocacy:
Work with TCP focus area staff on developing legislative and executive campaign goals, plans, strategies, and tactics to achieve specific policy outcomes for our TCP policy agenda.Develop campaign budgets and related action plans.Identify, cultivate, establish, and maintain relationships with coalition partners and other key stakeholders, including policymakers, government officials, and other partners identified by the Director of Policy and Advocacy.
Coordinate TCP Action Fund messaging and testimony on TCP Action Fund priority issue areas.Lead or participate in coalition meetings with local and state partner organizations and support coalition communications and outreach work.Help facilitate on-the-ground meetings, planning, and campaign events at the capitol or in priority districts, as needed.Track and report on advocacy efforts and outcomes.Analyze data to determine the effectiveness of campaigns and make recommendations for future efforts.Monitor policy developments, including legislative and regulatory changes.Execute legislative advocacy projects and tasks as assigned by the Director of Policy and Advocacy.Strategic CommunicationsGather and assist in developing community stories for our issue-based campaigns for testimony, legislative meetings, and public communications.Assist the Director of Policy and Advocacy in employing constituent and/or voter targeting, developing advertisements (digital and print), polling, and developing creative campaign tactics for earned media or other purposes in partnership with our marketing and communications and engagement and mobilization teams.Assist the Director of Policy and Advocacy in managing press events and in-person or virtual press conferences on matters related to legislative and executive branch advocacy.Draft messaging and talking points, press releases, statements, op-eds, and letters to the editor for diverse audiences for our campaigns.Collaborate with the marketing and communications team on social media posts, graphics, and toolkits, managing microsites, action alert landing pages, emails to supporters, and other web-based assets.Other duties as assigned.Targeted Knowledge, Skills, and AttributesPassion for TCP’s vision and mission, and a commitment to organizational excellence in achieving them.At least five years of professional experience in advocacy, policy, and/or government affairs.Demonstrated strength in the following professional dimensions:
Excellent organization and process management skills; effective facilitation and tactical problem-solving.Strong written and verbal communication skills.Able to deal with ambiguity, thrive in a rapidly evolving environment; flexible and agile, responsive to feedback, open to changing direction, focuses on continuous improvement and innovation.
Excellent project management skills, including the ability to work on multiple projects, adjust quickly to shifting priorities, manage time effectively, and meet deadlines.Able to take direction and commit to continuous improvement in matters related to public and media relations, lobbying, and campaign development and execution.Strong interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence including demonstrated empathy, humor, and resilience; engaging team member; values, honors, and promotes diversity in all its forms.Resident of and deeply knowledgeable about Connecticut and committed to equity across the state.Alignment to TCP Organizational ValuesCommitment and capacity to authentically live and help develop TCP’s values:People-First:
The interests of Connecticut residents, particularly those deprived of opportunities and outcomes on a basis of race, gender, income, geography, and other circumstances, are first in everything we do.Courageous Acts:
We are resolute in the pursuit of growth, equity, and justice, willing to learn from mistakes, and not afraid to challenge steady habits to accelerate progress.Better Together:
Grounding in the common humanity of all Connecticut residents ensures that personal, professional, and community differences lead to bolder innovations and stronger solutions.Optimistic Realists:
We operate at the crux of possibility and pragmatism - the change we imagine is the change we work to achieve.Continuous Improvement:
We listen, learn, and collaborate with humility alongside Connecticut residents and improve our methods with community feedback and guidance.Team Structure and ReportingTCP has four teams: an Issue Area team, an Invest team, an Advocacy & External Affairs team, and an Operations team. The Advocacy & External Affairs Team consists of a Vice President of Advocacy and External Affairs; the Marketing & Communications unit; the Engagement & Mobilization unit; and the Policy & Advocacy unit. This position reports to the Director of Policy and Advocacy.Compensation & BenefitsThis position is full-time, operating in a hybrid environment, designed for feasibility for staff across Connecticut. Compensation for this role is between $80,000-$100,000 and commensurate with experience. Applicants should live in or be willing to relocate to Connecticut. The Connecticut Project offers an employee benefits package that includes, but is not limited to health, dental, vision, life, disability, and supplemental life insurance; a 401(K)-match program; and competitive vacation and holiday policies.How to ApplyApplicants should submit a resume and cover letter that references their experience in relation to the qualifications listed in the job description, why the applicant is interested in the position, and how the applicant heard about this posting. This posting will remain open until filled and all information is held highly confidential.Please note that finalists will be subject to background and reference checks. Applicants should submit a resume and cover letter to Adriana Joseph, Chief Administrative Officer at info@ctproject.org with the title of the position in the subject line or apply via our website, www.ctproject.org.The Connecticut Project is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to building a strong and welcoming team that reflects and includes Connecticut’s diverse and inclusive community. Candidates of all backgrounds, including urban and rural communities, are strongly encouraged to apply. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age, or veteran status.
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Policy DevelopmentUnder the supervision of the Director of Policy and Advocacy:
Assist TCP focus area staff in developing issue maps, mapping political stakeholders, and power mapping their public policy agenda.Collaborate with TCP focus area staff on meetings with elected officials and legislative or executive branch staff on matters related to public policy and lobbying.Monitor TCP’s issue area priorities by tracking legislation and collaborating with TCP focus area staff on evaluation and potential action.
Executive & Legislative AdvocacyUnder the supervision of the Director of Policy and Advocacy:
Work with TCP focus area staff on developing legislative and executive campaign goals, plans, strategies, and tactics to achieve specific policy outcomes for our TCP policy agenda.Develop campaign budgets and related action plans.Identify, cultivate, establish, and maintain relationships with coalition partners and other key stakeholders, including policymakers, government officials, and other partners identified by the Director of Policy and Advocacy.
Coordinate TCP Action Fund messaging and testimony on TCP Action Fund priority issue areas.Lead or participate in coalition meetings with local and state partner organizations and support coalition communications and outreach work.Help facilitate on-the-ground meetings, planning, and campaign events at the capitol or in priority districts, as needed.Track and report on advocacy efforts and outcomes.Analyze data to determine the effectiveness of campaigns and make recommendations for future efforts.Monitor policy developments, including legislative and regulatory changes.Execute legislative advocacy projects and tasks as assigned by the Director of Policy and Advocacy.Strategic CommunicationsGather and assist in developing community stories for our issue-based campaigns for testimony, legislative meetings, and public communications.Assist the Director of Policy and Advocacy in employing constituent and/or voter targeting, developing advertisements (digital and print), polling, and developing creative campaign tactics for earned media or other purposes in partnership with our marketing and communications and engagement and mobilization teams.Assist the Director of Policy and Advocacy in managing press events and in-person or virtual press conferences on matters related to legislative and executive branch advocacy.Draft messaging and talking points, press releases, statements, op-eds, and letters to the editor for diverse audiences for our campaigns.Collaborate with the marketing and communications team on social media posts, graphics, and toolkits, managing microsites, action alert landing pages, emails to supporters, and other web-based assets.Other duties as assigned.Targeted Knowledge, Skills, and AttributesPassion for TCP’s vision and mission, and a commitment to organizational excellence in achieving them.At least five years of professional experience in advocacy, policy, and/or government affairs.Demonstrated strength in the following professional dimensions:
Excellent organization and process management skills; effective facilitation and tactical problem-solving.Strong written and verbal communication skills.Able to deal with ambiguity, thrive in a rapidly evolving environment; flexible and agile, responsive to feedback, open to changing direction, focuses on continuous improvement and innovation.
Excellent project management skills, including the ability to work on multiple projects, adjust quickly to shifting priorities, manage time effectively, and meet deadlines.Able to take direction and commit to continuous improvement in matters related to public and media relations, lobbying, and campaign development and execution.Strong interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence including demonstrated empathy, humor, and resilience; engaging team member; values, honors, and promotes diversity in all its forms.Resident of and deeply knowledgeable about Connecticut and committed to equity across the state.Alignment to TCP Organizational ValuesCommitment and capacity to authentically live and help develop TCP’s values:People-First:
The interests of Connecticut residents, particularly those deprived of opportunities and outcomes on a basis of race, gender, income, geography, and other circumstances, are first in everything we do.Courageous Acts:
We are resolute in the pursuit of growth, equity, and justice, willing to learn from mistakes, and not afraid to challenge steady habits to accelerate progress.Better Together:
Grounding in the common humanity of all Connecticut residents ensures that personal, professional, and community differences lead to bolder innovations and stronger solutions.Optimistic Realists:
We operate at the crux of possibility and pragmatism - the change we imagine is the change we work to achieve.Continuous Improvement:
We listen, learn, and collaborate with humility alongside Connecticut residents and improve our methods with community feedback and guidance.Team Structure and ReportingTCP has four teams: an Issue Area team, an Invest team, an Advocacy & External Affairs team, and an Operations team. The Advocacy & External Affairs Team consists of a Vice President of Advocacy and External Affairs; the Marketing & Communications unit; the Engagement & Mobilization unit; and the Policy & Advocacy unit. This position reports to the Director of Policy and Advocacy.Compensation & BenefitsThis position is full-time, operating in a hybrid environment, designed for feasibility for staff across Connecticut. Compensation for this role is between $80,000-$100,000 and commensurate with experience. Applicants should live in or be willing to relocate to Connecticut. The Connecticut Project offers an employee benefits package that includes, but is not limited to health, dental, vision, life, disability, and supplemental life insurance; a 401(K)-match program; and competitive vacation and holiday policies.How to ApplyApplicants should submit a resume and cover letter that references their experience in relation to the qualifications listed in the job description, why the applicant is interested in the position, and how the applicant heard about this posting. This posting will remain open until filled and all information is held highly confidential.Please note that finalists will be subject to background and reference checks. Applicants should submit a resume and cover letter to Adriana Joseph, Chief Administrative Officer at info@ctproject.org with the title of the position in the subject line or apply via our website, www.ctproject.org.The Connecticut Project is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to building a strong and welcoming team that reflects and includes Connecticut’s diverse and inclusive community. Candidates of all backgrounds, including urban and rural communities, are strongly encouraged to apply. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age, or veteran status.
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