Public Policy Manager

The Public Policy Manager advances United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County’s mission to unite the community to identify and solve our most critical issues by supporting policy, advocacy, research, and community engagement strategies that improve outcomes for children, students, families, individuals, and people in crisis. This role works across internal teams, community partners, public officials, coalitions, nonprofit organizations, and civic leaders to monitor policy trends, analyze legislation, develop advocacy materials, and support initiatives that align with UWSA’s community impact priorities. This position will serve as the lead staff person for the organization’s internal public policy committee and be responsible for policy analysis, stakeholder engagement, government relations, advocacy strategy, and written/verbal communication. The ideal candidate is a collaborative, mission-driven professional who can translate complex policy issues into clear recommendations, build trusted relationships across sectors, and help position UWSA as a respected convener and advocate for meaningful community solutions.

Responsibilities

Monitor local, state, and federal policy developments; Analyze legislation, public funding opportunities, regulatory changes, and policy proposals; Prepare policy briefs, issue summaries, talking points, position statements, testimony, and other materials; Support the development and implementation of UWSA’s annual public policy and advocacy agenda; Provide policy recommendations; Build and maintain relationships with elected officials, public agency staff, civic leaders, nonprofit partners, coalitions, and advocacy organizations; Represent UWSA in policy-related meetings, community forums, coalitions, task forces, and public hearings; Coordinate advocacy activities; Track legislative sessions, city and county budget processes, public hearings, and policy initiatives; Support leadership preparing for meetings; Partner with Community Impact staff; Serve as staff lead for the internal Public Policy Committee; Supervise interns; Support advocacy for public investment and develop funding briefs; Assist with policy positions, testimony, letters of support, and public comments; Develop policy communications, advocacy toolkits, fact sheets, presentations, newsletters; Convene and support partner discussions; Track public policy activities, legislative outcomes, stakeholder engagement, and advocacy progress; Maintain policy calendars, legislative trackers, contact lists, meeting notes; Support reports to senior leadership, board committees, funders, and community partners

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in public policy, public administration, political science, social work, nonprofit management, communications, education, or a related field required; Three to five years of experience in public policy, advocacy, government relations, nonprofit leadership, legislative affairs, community engagement, or a related field; Extensive knowledge of community issues; Strategic leadership of collective impact efforts; Strong relationships in the nonprofit, public and private sectors; Staff and volunteer management; Budget and fiscal management; Strong understanding of local, state, and federal policymaking processes; Ability to analyze complex policy issues and communicate implications clearly and concisely; Excellent writing, research, presentation, and verbal communication skills; Strong relationship-building skills with the ability to work effectively with diverse stakeholders; Ability to manage multiple priorities, deadlines, and policy issues in a fast-paced environment; High level of discretion, professionalism, and political awareness; Commitment to equity, inclusion, community voice, and collaborative problem-solving; Proficiency with Microsoft Office; Knowledge of the nonprofit arena and the ability to develop and maintain strong relationships with clients, community partners, donors and volunteers; Ability to identify and build opportunities and assist in educating and mobilizing networks of individuals, associations, agencies and institutions to support UWSA’s impact agenda; Strong verbal and written communication skills including development of content relevant to the Impact Council for a wide variety of audiences and media; Professional demeanor, confident and goal oriented; Self-motivated and creative; Dynamic, authentic leadership and team building skills; Strong organizational skills; Ability to manage multiple deadlines and priorities and problem-solve issues as they arise; Strategic thinking ability; Demonstrated independent decision-making and problem-solving ability; Facilitation and presentation skills and experience; Data utilization expertise related to community issues; Relationship management with a broad array of individuals and organizations; Attention to detail in a multitasking environment; Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite

Nice to have

Master’s degree in public administration, public policy, nonprofit leadership, social work, law, or related field preferred; Experience working with elected officials, public agencies, nonprofit coalitions, or community-based organizations strongly preferred; Experience with legislative tracking tools, CRM systems, or data dashboards preferred; Knowledge of Results-Based Accountability™, preferred; Competent with Adobe Products Suite, preferred

Benefits

Employer-subsidized healthcare plan with employer-funded HRA offered; Group dental, vision, life insurance and other insurance products available; Paid holidays, personal and sick leave time; 403(b) retirement plan with employer matching available