Policy Director

Policy Director
Job Description
Posting Date: Friday, October 2, 2026
Application Deadline: Friday, October 30, 2026
Email: peopleoperations@movetexas.org
Division: Policy & Communications
Department: Organizing
Location: Central Texas. Preference for Austin, TX
About Us
Mobilize. Organize. Vote. Empower. MOVE Texas was founded in 2013 by a small group of dedicated students at The University of Texas at San Antonio to increase participation in local elections (MOVE UTSA). Since then MOVE Texas has gone statewide to become one of the most effective voter registration and civic engagement groups for young people in the state. Our vision is to build the political power of young people to transform democracy in Texas and beyond. We are building the next generation of Texas leadership by teaching critical organizing skills to take them from voters to effective, lifelong organizers. Our theory of change is simple: develop new leaders, educate voters and create space for the changes we need to make so that our state can be a place where all Texans can thrive.
Position Description
Our team is seeking a Policy Director to lead the organization's statewide policy campaigns, legislative strategy, and advocacy efforts. This role serves as the primary driver of MOVE Texas' policy work, responsible for developing and executing policy campaigns that translate our work on democracy reform, climate justice, and gender justice into actionable strategies for young Texans, elected officials, and coalition partners. The Director will draw on cross-team community insight to develop policy campaigns for our membership that move young Texans to action and directly influence legislation in Texas.
Primary Responsibilities:
Translate organizational priorities into strategic programs, campaigns, projects, and initiatives
Manage department and organizational budget
People management
Coalition building and partnerships
Essential duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to the following:
Strategic Campaign & Advocacy Leadership: Design, evaluate, and evolve statewide advocacy strategies, translating policy and legislative priorities into measurable, data-driven, and sustainable campaign tactics aligned with long-term political and electoral goals.
Legislative Representation & Coalition Building: Serve as the primary contact during the Texas Legislative Session, leading institutional relationship-building, legislative staffer engagement, coalition coordination, and rapid response frameworks to advance policy agenda priorities and rapid-response frameworks.
Partnerships & Community Expansion: Cultivate a community-focused culture by deepening external partnerships and institutional relationships, leveraging feedback loops to keep advocacy tactics responsive while executing strategic expansion opportunities statewide.
People Management & Team Development: Coach, mentor, and empower team members, utilizing emotional intelligence to foster a dynamic learning mindset, define scopes of work, address knowledge gaps, and align cross-functional workflows.
Fiscal Oversight & Organizational Development: Exercise fiscal responsibility by managing department budgets, streamlining operational and program workflows, and supporting organizational development through grant writing, impact tracking, and funder relationship management.
Spokesperson, Subject-Matter Expertise & Risk Governance: Serve as an organizational spokesperson on core issues (including democracy reform, climate justice, and gender justice), guide curriculum development, conduct media scenario planning, and ensure proactive risk management and legal compliance.
Qualifications
Must be legally eligible to work in the U.S. without sponsorship.
Must be a Texas resident.
At least two years of experience managing multiple scaled legislative and/or advocacy projects in a politically demanding environment with the ability to demonstrate strong analytical, research, and writing skills. Are prepared to step into a greater strategic planning role.
At least two years of people management experience and coaching direct reports. Ability to effectively lead a remote statewide team and unionized workforce.
A demonstrated understanding of movement spaces, policies relating to civic engagement and the political and social landscape in Texas. Including a growing expertise in policies related to democracy reform, labor, climate justice, and gender justice.
Strong ability to cultivate connections with staff, membership, partner organizations, academic institutions, and community leaders.
Deep commitment to MOVE’s mission of building the political power of young people in Texas.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience working within the Texas progressive ecosystem, electoral campaigns, or social justice nonprofits in other Southern states.
Experienced spokesperson and communication skills for advocacy and public relations.
Experience managing a unionized workforce.
Experience managing multi-entity organizations.
Experience as a board member.
Spanish language proficiency.
Physical & Mental Requirements
Ability to safely operate a motor vehicle, incl

Employment type
Full-Time Permanent

Work arrangement
No