Policy and Advocacy Manager

**Must apply through website link at the bottom of this post.**Help us change what's possible for LGBTQ+ South Carolinians.South Carolina is one of the hardest states in the country to be openly LGBTQ+, and one of the most important places to fight for change. At AFFA and AFFA Action, we're building the coalitions, the policy wins, and the next generation of leaders who will make our state safer, fairer, and more free.We're looking for a Policy and Advocacy Manager to help lead that fight.The RoleThe Policy and Advocacy Manager is a central driver of AFFA Action's Policy Playbook and a key contributor to AFFA's coalition, education, and thought leadership work. Reporting to the Executive Director and working in close partnership with AFFA Action's contract lobbyist, the Policy and Advocacy Manager executes key components of the organization's strategic plan into a proactive, year-round legislative program that advances LGBTQ+ hate crime protections, anti-discrimination laws, and local ordinance expansion across South Carolina.This role operationalizes the strategic plan by maintaining a rolling bill tracker, drafting the annual proactive legislative agenda, building the "Ordinance Expansion & New Wins" playbook, cultivating trusted-advisor relationships with state and local officials, and equipping a statewide pipeline of trained, ready-to-testify advocates. The Policy and Advocacy Manager also embeds policy expertise across AFFA's C3 education and coalition work, informing the annual "State of LGBTQ+ People in SC" report, SC United coalition deliverables, and the Courageous Crowds advocacy training curriculum.Who You AreWe're looking for a fighter and a bridge-builder. Someone who understands that advancing LGBTQ+ rights in South Carolina means showing up in rooms where the odds are stacked against us, and leaving those rooms with allies we didn't have when we walked in. The ideal candidate is a disciplined researcher, a persuasive writer, and a natural communicator who knows that policy wins are built on narrative as much as on legislative mechanics. They can translate a committee amendment into a talking point, a talking point into a testimony, and a testimony into a movement moment. They bring hands-on experience in state or local policy or government relations, the patience to collaborate with people who don't share their worldview, and the courage to inspire advocates, coalition partners, and lawmakers to act. They hold an unshakable, intersectional commitment to LGBTQ+ South Carolinians and the stamina to fight for them the long way. What You’ll DoRun our legislative program, year-roundMaintain a rolling bill tracker from pre-file through floor action and local ordinancesPublish our annual proactive agenda and refresh positions mid-sessionFlag emerging threats early and identify openings for offenseTrack the wins that matter: co-sponsors gained, public statements secured, lawmakers picking up our talking pointsDrive the “Local Ordinance" playbookMaintain a jurisdiction inventory of SC cities and counties; where protections exist, where the gaps are, where we can moveSteward our library of model ordinance language and a "menu of upgrades" (employment protections, enforcement, protected classes, training, complaint pathways)Assemble repeatable local campaign toolkits: one-pagers, FAQs, sign-on letters, plain-language explainersSit down with mayors, councilmembers, city managers, and municipal attorneys to walk the language throughBecome a trusted advisor to legislators — including the ones who aren't with us yetTrack a prioritized list of champions, persuadables, blockers, and committee chairsShow up consistently in their officesHost 1:1 meetings and caucus "lunch & learns" that feel less like lobbying and more like real educationOperate in strict compliance with C3/C4 boundaries, nonprofit lobbying rules, and ethics requirementsBuild and run a testimony pipelineRecruit, train, and maintain a statewide roster of "ready-to-testify" advocatesBuild hearing prep packets covering talking points, process, safety, and logisticsDeploy advocates when hearings drop and coach first-time testifiers through their nervesGrow the bench year over year and track retentionCoordinate rapid response with national partnersActivate 3–5 national policy allies when a hostile bill drops or a proactive opening appearsPull in research, comms amplification, and legal/policy backupTurn around memos and briefs in hours, not daysTurn policy into narrativeDraft policy briefs, testimony, fact sheets, talking points, position statements, and op-eds (target: 2+ published per year)Contribute the policy backbone of AFFA's annual "State of LGBTQ+ People in South Carolina" report with our academic partnerPartner with communications so every policy fight lands as a story South Carolinians can see themselves inFeed the coalition and training ecosystemBring policy substance to our quarterly Courageous Crowds advocacy trainingsHelp staff our annual LGBTQ+ Lobby DayCoordinate with SC United on testimony training and community briefingsWhat You BringRequired:A Bachelor's degree in Public Policy, Political Science, Public Administration, Government, Law, Social Work, Communications, or a related field or equivalent professional experience in public policy4+ years of experience in public policy, legislative affairs, government relations, advocacy, community organizing, or a closely related fieldA track record of working with elected officials, coalitions, or government agencies; analyzing legislation; drafting advocacy materials; and moving campaigns forward with multiple stakeholdersBonus points for:Experience with the South Carolina legislative process (or another Southeast state)Local ordinance campaign experienceBuilding volunteer testimony or advocate pipelinesWorking alongside a contract lobbyist or inside a state legislature, agency, or public affairs officeFamiliarity with C3/C4 structure and nonprofit lobbying, campaign finance, and ethics rulesLGBTQ+, civil rights, health equity, racial justice, reproductive justice, or disability rights advocacy through an intersectional lensThe DetailsSalary: $58,000–$65,000, based on experienceBenefits: Health insurance, paid time off and holidays, retirement, professional development, and flexible work arrangementsLocation: Primarily remote, based in the Columbia, SC metro area. Regular in-person presence required during the legislative session, plus meetings, hearings, coalition events, and travel across South CarolinaSchedule: Full-time; expect legislative-session intensity January through MayTo Apply: https://forms.monday.com/forms/522c54bb106f302644a316b54209691b?r=use1&color_mm6tfndq=3Applicants who do not fill out the above form will not be considered.