Pay: $80,000.00 – $92,000.00 per year
Job Description:
Position Summary
The Policy Officer (PO) is a senior leader at the New Mexico Black Leadership Council (NMBLC), responsible for advancing a policy agenda aligned with the organization’s mission to improve the lives of Black communities in New Mexico. Reporting jointly to the Executive and Deputy Directors and serving on the Executive Leadership Team, the PO leads strategic policy development, community-informed advocacy, civic engagement, and staff supervision. The role also provides strategic oversight of The Chisholm Table, NMBLC’s flagship initiative that fosters inclusive, community-led governance. By challenging the state’s “tricultural” framework, The Chisholm Table advances cross-community partnerships and promotes a more just, multicultural vision for civic participation across New Mexico
Roles and Responsibilities
Lead Policy Strategy and Implementation – Develop implement and evaluate NMBLC’s advocacy and policy strategy with a strong grounding in community needs and equity. Focus areas include housing, education, violence prevention, digital inclusion, and youth development. Within the first 30 days, the PO will review the current legislative tracker, assess NMBLC’s existing policy platform, and draft a proposed process for strategic policy review.
Engage in Community & Team Immersion – Build relationships across internal and external networks. Early priorities include one-on-one listening sessions with all policy and advocacy staff, introductory meetings with key community stakeholders and government partners, and active participation in at least one community roundtable or coalition meeting. These efforts will help shape a responsive and community-informed policy approach from day one.
Legislative Monitoring and Government Relations – Monitor and analyze local, state, and federal legislation impacting Black New Mexicans. Lead timely and strategic responses, including the development of public statements, advocacy campaigns, or policy initiatives. Provide briefings and updates to the Executive Leadership Team to ensure organizational alignment on advocacy priorities.
Produce Thought Leadership and Policy Communications – Author policy briefs, position papers, public testimony, and other materials that elevate community voice, influence decision-makers, and support evidence-based policy change. Within the first month, the PO will also prepare a concise, one-page briefing connecting a core policy issue to The Chisholm Table framework.
Advance Inclusive Civic Engagement via The Chisholm Table – Provide strategic oversight of The Chisholm Table, NMBLC’s signature initiative focused on cross-community dialogue and participatory governance. This includes completing an internal briefing on the Table’s purpose, ensuring alignment with policy work, and integrating its principles into broader advocacy strategies.
Collaborate with Executive Leadership on Short- and Long-Term Planning – Engage regularly with the Executive Director and Deputy Director to align on short-term priorities and long-term goals. During the first 30 days, the PO will meet with the Executive Leadership Team to co-develop shared objectives and present a draft 60-day action plan based on initial observations.
Staff Leadership and Organizational Alignment – Supervise policy and advocacy team members, fostering a culture of trust, accountability, and impact. Guide team members through an inclusive and transparent policy planning process. Support their professional growth while ensuring policy activities are well-integrated across the organization.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Public Policy, Political Science, Social Work, Education, or a related field; Master’s degree preferred.
- Minimum of 3–5 years of experience in policy advocacy, government relations, or community-based policy work.
- Experience supervising teams and working in or with nonprofit organizations.
- Demonstrated success in advancing policy goals through coalition-building, public advocacy, and legislative engagement.
- This position requires regular travel to Santa Fe, particularly during the legislative session and for ongoing engagement with state policymakers, agencies, and advocacy partners. Occasional in-state and out-of-state travel may also be required for conferences, coalition meetings, and community engagement efforts.
Job Type: Full-time
Work Location: In person