Southern Regional Advocacy Campaign Manager

Job Title:            Southern Regional Advocacy Campaign Manager  

Department:      Campaigns & Organizing

Reports To:        Managing Director, Organizing & Strategic Relations

Who We Are: 

The Drug Policy Alliance (DPA) addresses the harms of drug use and drug criminalization through policy solutions, organizing, and public education. We advocate for a holistic approach to drugs that prioritizes health, social supports, and community wellbeing. DPA opposes punitive approaches that destabilize people, block access to care, and drain communities of resources. We believe that the regulation of drugs should be grounded in evidence, health, equity, and human rights. In collaboration with other movements, we change laws, advance justice, and save lives.

DPA has 40 staff across the U.S. an annual operating budget of approximately $12 million, and 200,000 members, activists, and supporters. The organization has a solid track record of success at the local, state, and federal levels and consistent visibility in prominent media and policy circles.

Recognizing the broad reach of the drug war, DPA works across issue areas to engage more deeply with organizations and leaders in immigration, family policing, education, reproductive justice, housing, and other aligned spaces. This commitment to building power across movements and building a base contributes to and works in tandem with DPA’s work on policy and legislative change.

Learn more about working at the Drug Policy Alliance here and learn about our work to end the drug war here.

The Role: 

The Southern Regional Advocacy Campaign Manager is the primary strategist and organizing

coordinator in the American South region, working within the Drug Policy Alliance’s Organizing

and Campaigns Department.

• This role presents the opportunity to build out a new regional response to drug policy in the South.
• Works closely with allies and partner organizations on the ground in the region, particularly in our key states.
• Engages in campaign development and management, policy development and advocacy, organizing and movement building, and movement and public education in the local and state jurisdictions in which DPA is active
• Expect to navigate managing a large portfolio of work with the support of local consultants but without DPA support staff in the region; there is significant collaboration within the DPA Campaigns and Policy teams.
• Opportunities for growth include utilizing or developing leadership skills and engaging in high level strategic planning within the program area, deep collaboration with other senior leaders, leaning into or becoming nationally recognized expert withing drug policy movement

The Campaign Manager reports to the Managing Director, Organizing & Strategic Relations.

Key Responsibilities: 

• Develop and articulate a vision for identified drug policy goals that are consistent with the organization’s overall mission, philosophy, and strategic plan and objectives

• Implement strategies to achieve DPA’s core priorities at the state level in key states in the region

• Oversee the development and direction and management of key state and local legislative campaigns including engaging in direct lobbying and education of policymakers and other officials, managing hired lobbyists and other consultants, building campaign-specific coalitions, and coordinating strategic communications

• Monitor and respond to emerging issues that impact DPA’s regional and state policy agenda including fighting back against regressive policies in the media and legislature

• Create and maintain solid relationships including travel to visit with diverse partners, including state agencies, community-based organizations, elected officials, coalition allies, and local DPA members as related to work on such issues as: criminal legal reform, civil system reform, marijuana legalization, and harm reduction reform such as authorizing overdose prevention centers

• Draft materials related to DPA’s priorities, including reports, policy briefs, blog posts, and op eds

• Represent DPA as a spokesperson in regional and local media and at community events, conferences, and other forums

• Work collaboratively with other DPA departments, such as Communications, Policy, Research, and Development, to further organizational goals and projects

• Oversee the administration of DPA’s work in the region, including developing and managing work plans and budgets and meeting state lobbying and ethics requirements

• Contribute to DPA fundraising activities, both locally and nationally, in partnership with the Development department, enhancing DPA’s fundraising capacity in the region with Development Department guidance

• Assist with planning and facilitating DPA-hosted meetings and conferences

• Present at events such as conferences, universities, coalition meetings and community events

Skills and Experience: 

Passion

• Strong commitment to DPA’s mission to end the war on drugs
• Embrace harm reduction as a core value and principle of substance use disorder treatment and recovery
• Demonstrated commitment to social and racial justice
• Enthusiasm and motivation to lead on cutting-edge issues

Experience

• Five years of experience in organizing campaigns, public policy, legislative and/or governmental affairs, political campaigns, or ballot initiatives; criminal justice and/or public health experience preferred
• Experience managing consultants, lobbyists, and staff
• Experience building and leading coalitions in pursuit of an activist agenda with measurable results
• Familiarity with drug policy is highly preferable

Skills

• Leading and maintaining portfolio of work with minimal day-to-day supervision

• Working with diverse partners, including community-based organizations, community members/constituents, and people directly impacted by the war on drugs

• Understanding of the Southern Regional and key state (Georgia, Virginia, Kentucky, North Carolina, etc.) political landscape

• Excellent writing and oral advocacy skills

• A proven track record of successful campaigns

• Community organizing experience is strongly preferred

• Strong interpersonal skills, flexibility, creativity, curiosity, and a good sense of humor essential

Compensation:

This is a full-time, exempt position. The salary range for this position is $81,000-$88,000, depending on the level of experience. Benefits for DPA staff include comprehensive health insurance and coverage (including dental and vision), 403b retirement plan with 10% employer matching contribution after completion of one-year, paid time off including 20 days of vacation, plus national holidays, sick days, organizational closure at the end of December, and year-round early dismissal on Fridays.

Terms of Employment

Location: 

The Southern Regional Advocacy Campaign Manager is focused on the South, but all applicants must reside in the Atlanta Metro area.

Hours:

Full-time, remote, flexible schedule. Travel to key states throughout the region, (1-2

times monthly) and periodically nationally (3-4 times annually) is expected.

How to Apply: 

To apply, please submit the following three things:

1.  Your resume.

2. A cover letter that includes brief responses to the following prompts:

• Why do you want to work in drug policy/for the Drug Policy Alliance?
• Briefly describe one previous work experience and how it has prepared you for this role.
• Briefly describe your career goals.
• Your salary requirements.

3. Share at least two examples of your past organizing and campaign work that demonstrate your ability to build coalitions and manage and execute campaigns.

*Please note that applications will be accepted through December 2024 and interviews will begin in January 2025.

Equal Opportunity 

Drug Policy Alliance (DPA) is an equal opportunity employer and values a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture.  DPA encourages applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, gender, ethnicity, personal appearance, political affiliation, family responsibility, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status and record of arrest or conviction.  Drug Policy Alliance is particularly interested in hiring people who have been adversely affected by the war on drugs