Director of Advocacy and Legislation

Unite NY, a statewide nonpartisan organization advancing pro-voter election reforms across New York State, is seeking a Director of Advocacy & Legislation to lead advocacy campaigns, build and manage coalitions, and direct the organization’s government relations work. Unite NY advocates for pro-voter election reforms like term-limits, fair ballot access, statewide ballot initiatives, ranked choice voting, and open primaries to reform elections and voting in cities, counties, and statewide races in New York State. Reporting to the executive director, this is a high-visibility role ideal for an experienced advocate with strong legislative and campaign instincts and a passion for strengthening democracy. We seek to advance coalitions, policies, and legislation which expand every New Yorker’s access to government, increase participation, and create more inclusive outcomes across New York State. Key Responsibilities Advocacy & Strategic Leadership Lead planning and execution of ballot initiative and policy advocacy campaigns. Set strategic goals, manage timelines, coordinate field operations, and track campaign metrics. Recruit, train, and manage volunteers engaged in campaign and voter-contact work. Legislative Strategy & Government Relations Develop and execute Unite NY’s legislative strategy at the state and local levels and will report to the executive director. Develop and maintain strong working relationships with legislators, staff, and government partners. Organize lobby days, legislative briefings, and coalition-driven advocacy actions. Serve as a spokesperson and messenger on election reform priorities. Coalition Building Cultivate and manage partnerships with democracy reform organizations, civic groups, and community leaders. Coordinate coalition strategy, joint campaigns, and statewide alignment on reform goals. Represent Unite NY in statewide and regional coalition spaces. Operations & Communications Manage campaign and legislative communications, supporter engagement, and action alerts. Support grassroots fundraising strategies and list-building efforts. Oversee reporting, goal setting, and data tracking across campaign and legislative work. Ideal Candidate Profile Energized by democracy reform, coalition leadership, and public advocacy. Values aligned: is passionate about Unite NY's mission, is action-oriented to achieve results, believes community and people come first; and does the right thing, the right way for the right reasons. Skilled legislative strategist with strong analytic and political instincts. Natural relationship-builder with deep experience coordinating diverse partners. Organized, detail-oriented, and capable of managing multiple priorities. Strategic planner who can break down big goals into actionable steps. Familiarity with digital organizing tools (NationBuilder, CMS platforms, social and email analytics).