Government Affairs Associate Director, Director, or Deputy Director

CALIFORNIA IMMIGRANT POLICY CENTER

. Advance CIPC’s legislative, budget, and administrative agenda .

Posted 10/22/2026full-timeSacramento • California • United StatesSenior💰 $100,000 - $180,000 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in legislative advocacy, budget management, and coalition building, with a strong focus on immigrant rights and economic justice. Proven ability to lead teams, supervise staff, and navigate complex political environments while effectively communicating and negotiating with diverse stakeholders.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Government Affairs ExperienceLegislative AdvocacyStaff SupervisionBudget ManagementCoalition Building

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Legislative ProcessesBudget DevelopmentPolicy AdvancementProject ManagementPolitical Analysis

Soft Skills

Relationship BuildingNegotiationPublic SpeakingWriting SkillsTeam Collaboration

Tools & Technologies

Legislative Tracking SystemsAdvocacy PlansBudgeting Tools

Industry Keywords

Immigrant RightsEconomic JusticeCalifornia Government501(c)(4) NonprofitGrassroots Advocacy

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Advance CIPC’s legislative, budget, and administrative agenda
Develop advocacy plans, identify champions and targets, assess opportunities and opposition, and coordinate timely action
Build relationships with legislators, legislative leadership, committee and budget staff, the Governor’s Office, state agencies, local lawmakers, and allied organizations
Represent CIPC in meetings, hearings, briefings, and negotiations
Monitor legislative and budget developments and provide actionable recommendations
Coordinate position letters, testimony, fact sheets, briefing materials, and legislative updates
Develop and maintain CIPC’s legislative scorecard and analysis
Coordinate advocacy with immigrant rights, labor, health, economic justice, grassroots, and other partners
Partner with organizing staff to involve directly impacted communities and regional partners
Prepare partners and community leaders for legislative meetings, testimony, and advocacy activities
Supervise, coach, mentor, and evaluate government affairs staff
Direct and assess retained lobbyists and consultants
Maintain work plans, legislative tracking systems, relationship records, and internal updates
Document advocacy outcomes and contribute to budgeting, fundraising materials, grant reports, and organizational planning
Coordinate lobbying records and reporting
Contribute to CIPC’s Management Team and assess campaign and departmental performance
Depending on appointment level, lead department-wide strategy, administration, fundraising, executive-level strategy, broader management, Sacramento regional advocacy, and oversight of a $2 million or larger portfolio

Requirements

What you’ll need

Deep commitment to immigrant rights, racial and economic justice, and leadership by directly impacted communities
Strong command of California’s legislative, budget, and administrative processes, with demonstrated success advancing policy or funding priorities and navigating complex political environments
Ability to cultivate trusted relationships with public officials, staff, and coalition partners; exercise sound political judgment; and negotiate effectively
Excellent writing, public speaking, analysis, and project management skills
Demonstrated ability to supervise and develop staff, direct lobbyists, manage competing deadlines, and collaborate across teams
Ability to meet Sacramento attendance, event, and travel requirements
Associate Director: at least 9 years of government affairs experience and at least 3 years supervising staff and lobbyists
Director: at least 12 years of government affairs experience, at least 5 years supervising staff and lobbyists, and at least 3 years leading departmental administrative and fundraising responsibilities
Deputy Director: at least 15 years of government affairs experience, at least 7 years of staff supervision, at least 5 years leading departmental administration and fundraising, management of an approximately $2 million or larger departmental budget, and experience working within a 501(c)(4) nonprofit
Preferred: experience advancing immigrant rights, health and public benefits, economic justice, or protections from detention and deportation; established California government and coalition relationships; experience supporting advocacy led by underserved regions

Benefits

Comp & perks

Paid medical, dental, vision insurance, and life insurance
3% contribution to 401(k) retirement plan
Commuter benefit or paid parking access
Monthly reimbursement for cell and internet usage
$1,500 professional development allowance
4-week paid sabbatical after 7 years of service
Generous time off policy
Up to 26 paid holidays a year, including summer and winter collective breaks
Vacation: 10 days in the 1st year, 15 days after completion of the 1st year, and 20 days after completion of the 4th year
5 personal days per year