Manager, Policy & Strategic Projects

The Opportunity

Achieve Atlanta is seeking an enthusiastic Manager, Policy & Strategic Projects. This key role entails supporting the organization’s policy and advocacy strategies and providing support for strategic projects aligned to the organization’s mission. Additionally, the Manager will help strengthen and promote Achieve Atlanta’s identity and values to external stakeholders including policymakers, government leaders, advocates, and practitioners. Reporting to the Vice President, Policy, the Manager will work closely with other AATL team members to support the organization’s organizational and policy goals.

Primary Responsibilities

Advocacy & Coalition Coordination

• Support the Vice President, Policy in the implementation of Achieve Atlanta’s policy and advocacy strategy.
• Track relevant legislation and administrative changes to keep senior leadership and coalition partners informed of critical policy windows.
• Maintain and update directory of key state and federal policymakers, tracking priorities and AATL relationships.
• Support the execution of advocacy efforts including calls to action, policymaker meetings, and advocacy days.
• Coordinate the logistics of coalition meetings including scheduling, agenda drafting, and follow-up communications.
• Staff committee hearings during Georgia Legislative session to monitor legislation and policymaker and advocate positions, to assist senior leadership with advocacy strategy.
• Serve as AATL representative to state and federal coalitions as needed (e.g., Georgia Educators Coalition, Student Basic Needs Coalition)

Policy Research, Data & Communications

• Draft policy materials including issues briefs, leave behinds, and testimony that translates organizational priorities, data and messages into clear policy recommendations.
• Conduct policy research to inform organizational stance on proposed legislation and policies and provide recommendations to support AATL students and Scholars.
• Collaborate with Data, Analytics & Insights team to maintain policy data workbooks to identify gaps and support the organization’s policy priorities.
• Collaborate with the Communications & Marketing team to develop videos, social media posts, and blogs to communicate organizational policy priorities and points of view.
• Maintain an intake pipeline of policy-relevant data and information to ensure a streamlined way to continuously share testimonials and metrics with the Policy Team.

Student and Scholar Inclusion

• Support the development and implementation of Achieve Atlanta’s Student Advisory Council. 
• Draft Scholar policy and advocacy curriculum including training frameworks and experiential opportunities to support policy track for Student Advisory Council
• Facilitate advocacy opportunities for Scholars by preparing them for public comment periods and meetings with policymakers.
• Collaborate with Communications & Marketing team to identify opportunities for student stories and speakers to contribute to policy discussions.

Strategic Project Support

• Support key cross-functional organizational initiatives by providing project management, knowledge management, research and/or related support as determined by the VP, Policy. Report to other organizational leaders on cross-functional project teams.
  • For example, in FY27 work closely with the Programs Team to create a centralized, accurate and sustainable knowledge base for the Scholarship Onboarding and Renewal Program.
• Provide logistical support to AATL external events and convenings as requested.

The Profile

The Manager, Policy and Strategic Projects will be a positive, energetic, and proactive team player with exceptional relationship management skills and will be thoroughly committed to Achieve Atlanta’s vision, mission, brand, and core values. Additionally, they will be a self-sufficient, analytical professional with strong prioritization, problem-solving, communication, and relationship-building skills. 

Education, Experience, and Knowledge  

• Bachelor’s degree in education, public policy, political science, communications or another relevant field 
• Minimum of three years of professional work experience in education, policy, advocacy, communications or a closely related field
• Understanding of relevant policy and programmatic issues in higher education, student success, and the education pipeline
• Experience reading and analyzing legislative and budget language at both the federal and state levels

Skills and Abilities

Project/Process Management and Execution

• Demonstrates proficient time management skills and strong project management skills, capable of prioritizing tasks effectively to meet deadlines and deliverables. 
• Exhibits proficiency in project planning, coordination, and execution, including setting clear goals, establishing timelines, and managing resources effectively
• Proactively recognizes important trends that can impact processes and program work. 

Analytical and Problem-Solving

• Exhibits exceptional critical thinking and problem-solving skills to navigate challenges and identify effective solutions
• Displays exceptional attention to detail, ensuring accuracy and reliability in data analysis and reporting
• Exhibits strong technical aptitude and problem-solving skills for troubleshooting user issues and ensuring data integrity

Communication

• Possesses exceptional verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to summarize findings and tailor communication based on the situation and audience
• Effectively translates complex ideas and information into clear, concise and approachable language
• Demonstrates an empathetic nature, acknowledging and honoring all people's humanity
• Service Orientation and Relationship Management:
• Displays exceptional relationship management skills to effectively collaborate across internal teams and functions
• Demonstrates high emotional intelligence, enabling effective collaboration and relationship-building
• Demonstrates cultural competence, critical consciousness, and the ability to collaborate across diverse perspectives

Adaptability and Autonomy

• Demonstrates a proven track record in executing initiatives and navigating change effectively
• Shows comfort with ambiguity and the ability to complete tasks with minimal oversight
• Works effectively in an environment requiring new perspectives and creative technical and non-technical approaches with multiple competing deadlines

Technical

• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite
• Proficiently utilizes tools such as Tableau, Asana, LegisTrack, Salesforce, and other relevant platforms (preferred)

Organizational Competencies 

• Mission and Values Driven: Understands how job contributes to the greater mission of AATL; operates within the core values; supports and performs responsibilities with Mission and Vision in mind. 

• Emotional Intelligence: Demonstrates awareness of one’s own and others’ emotions, attitudes, biases, belief systems, strengths, and limitations to adjust behavior and thus manage interactions successfully and create a psychologically safe workplace.  

• Strategic Approach: Understands and processes complex information for use in long-term planning and execution. 

• Partnership: Works collaboratively across internal and external boundaries to build relationships and achieve common goals.

• Growth and Development: Actively seeks to improve skills and knowledge to meet the organization’s vision and commitments, to fulfill current job responsibilities and prepare for future career goals and opportunities.

• Leading: Takes personal accountability for the organization’s success. 

Organizational Culture 

Achieve Atlanta is a value-driven organization, grounded in principles that guide everything we do.

• Unwavering Belief: A steadfast confidence in our students is the inspiration and fuel for everything we do.  Their dreams are the foundation for our work.
• Champion for Students: We back our belief in students by acknowledging historical inequities, breaking down systemic barriers, earning students’ trust, and building their agency to become their own champions.
• Expectation of Excellence: We foster a culture of excellence through consistent effort, tenacity, and integrity, resulting in work we can stand behind. It is the standard we set for ourselves and the example we model for our students and community.
• Intentional Collaboration: We cannot achieve our vision alone. We deliberately work together internally and build strategic partnerships externally to identify and accomplish shared goals in changing environments.
• Continuous Improvement: We are constantly learning, remaining curious, and reflecting on our systems, processes, and outcomes to meet our mission.  We encourage critical analysis of our work to make thoughtful adjustments, innovate, and take risks to create solutions.

Salary and Benefits

To be determined based upon experience and qualifications within the anticipated salary range of $61,000 - $76,000.

This position is exempt and eligible for the Achieve Atlanta’s competitive health and benefits package, including:

• Flexible Paid Time Off:
  • Take the time you need, when you need it—our trust-based PTO policy empowers you to balance work and life without strict accrual limits.
• Benefits:
  • Benefits effective on your first day—no waiting period
  • 100% employer-paid medical, dental, and vision insurance for employee-only plans
  • 100% employer-paid life insurance and AD&D
  • 100% employer-paid short-term disability and long-term disability
  • Wellness and Work from Home Reimbursement programs
  • Access to affordable plans for legal insurance, critical illness, supplemental life, and more
  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Retirement:
  • Immediate eligibility to contribute to a 403(b)-retirement plan
  • After one year of employment, Achieve Atlanta provides an employer-paid contribution to your 403(b), regardless of team member contributions
• Professional Development: 
  • Individual Development Plans (IDPs) tailored to each team member, including access to trainings, resources, and growth opportunities
  • Annual stipends for conferences and individual professional development

Location 

Achieve Atlanta currently operates a hybrid model for all staff. Team members work in the office at our downtown Atlanta location for at least two days each week to allow for collaboration and in-person connections. Team members have the flexibility to work the remaining three days from the office, home, or another location. 

Achieve Atlanta is an equal opportunity employer and makes employment decisions on the basis of qualifications. Achieve Atlanta policy prohibits unlawful discrimination in any employment decision based on pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, race, religious creed, color, national origin or ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, marital status, age, sexual orientation or any other basis protected by federal, state or local law or ordinance or regulation.