What are the responsibilities and job description for the Sr. Associate, Civic Engagement Strategist position at PolicyLink?
Department : Program
Reports to : Community Engagement and Field Director, Sustainable Cities
Status : Full-time / Exempt
Location : Remote; strong preference for applicants residing in Atlanta, GA; Birmingham, AL; Montgomery, AL; Jackson, MS; Savannah, GA. Must reside and be authorized to work in the United States.
About PolicyLink
PolicyLink is a national research and action institute working to build a future where all people in the United States of America can participate in a flourishing multiracial democracy, prosper in an equitable economy, and live in thriving communities of opportunity. PolicyLink advocates for groundbreaking policy and practice changes using a results framework focused on creating a nation that works for all. Visit to learn more about us.
Position Overview
The PolicyLink Sustainable Cities team is seeking a Senior Civic Engagement Strategist to support Sustainable Cities for All ("SC4A"), a program designed to cultivate community-driven partnerships with city governments and local elected leaders to advance racial wealth equity and climate-related outcomes for Black populations. The Senior Civic Engagement Strategist's role provides leadership and facilitation for a cohort of five to seven cities.
Please note that this is a termed position ending in April 2027 with the possibility of being renewed, dependent on funding and program needs.
Sustainable Cities for All is a national initiative that invests in transformational local solutions at the intersection of climate change and racial wealth equity by strengthening the capacity of relationships between cities and communities to co-create and implement solutions. The initiative will prioritize deep investment over four years in 25 cities with significant Black populations and high levels of climate vulnerability and racial wealth inequity. PolicyLink serves as the lead partner for SC4A and will coordinate the efforts of national, regional, and local partners to implement the portfolio of community engagements.
The Senior Civic Engagement Strategist will have leadership responsibilities overseeing a regional cohort in one of four US regions (Southeast, Midwest, Mid-Atlantic, all others). Each regional team will have 15 to 20 full-time, cross-sector positions staffed from multiple partners participating in SC4A. The Senior Civic Engagement Strategist serves as a critical point of coordination, information sharing, and coaching across their region.
Responsibilities
- Oversee all local engagement for cities within the regional cohort, ensuring effective communication, coordination, and partnerships with stakeholders within cities and across the region.
- Manage day-to-day communications to support shared understanding, effective program delivery, and trust.
- Establish and maintain relationships with local leaders, community-based organizations, activists, and other stakeholders to drive change at the intersection of climate change and racial wealth equity.
- Collaborate with cities, community-based organizations, local partners, and embedded program staff to identify local technical assistance needs and make recommendations for funding to community-based organizations and other local partners to support capacity and local implementation.
- Interface with policy, technical, and community-based strategists, and subject-matter experts, with an emphasis on racial wealth equity and climate, to ensure necessary support and alignment for initiatives within the region.
- Anticipate challenges, provide proactive oversight, and troubleshoot problems.
- Interface with local leaders, community-based organizations, and other local stakeholders as needed.
- Establish and maintain strong working relationships with embedded city innovation team (i-team) staff and regional i-team advisors to facilitate proactive community / city communications, strategy development, and problem solving.
Skills, Abilities , and Knowledge Required
Experience Qualifications
Additional Candidate Characteristics
Compensation and Benefits
PolicyLink offers competitive salaries commensurate with the experience and skills of our employees. The salary range for this position is $90,000 - $130,000.
Additionally, PolicyLink provides a comprehensive benefits package that includes :
To Apply
We accept online applications only. Please note that the application includes two written prompts that are required. Candidates should provide thoughtful and complete responses to the prompts; incomplete answers will not be considered.
No phone calls please. Only those selected to participate in our hiring process will be contacted.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYMENT
PolicyLink strongly values equity and believes in a just and fair society where all can participate, prosper, and reach their full potential. We work toward a more inclusive world and as such we are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, skin color, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age, marital status, military status, pregnancy, or parenthood. PolicyLink is committed to maintaining a diverse and multicultural working environment.
Proof of eligibility to work in the United States must be provided if selected for hire.
Salary : $90,000 - $130,000
