Manager, Policy & Coalition Strategy

Manager, Policy & Coalition Strategy

GENERATION CITIZEN

Part-time

Location: Rhode Island

ABOUT US

Generation Citizen offers tools for the rising generation to build civic skills and make America the inclusive multi-racial democracy that we need. We are transforming how civics is taught by providing equity-rooted, real-world civic education, which helps students understand exactly how governments function and how they can make a difference in the system. Through hands-on civic education, legislative advocacy and coalition building, and youth leadership development, we teach young people how to have a voice and become active citizens in their communities.

GC is a national nonprofit ensuring every student receives effective civic education. As lead partner of the Rhode Island Civic Learning Coalition (RICLC), GC provides administrative leadership and coordinates coalition activities to drive systemic change in civic education across Rhode Island.

The Rhode Island Civic Learning Coalition is a multiracial, multigenerational, and nonpartisan coalition committed to ensuring all Rhode Islanders—especially young people and those marginalized from our democratic system—have equitable access to high-quality civic learning. Founded in 2021, RICLC unites nonprofits, community groups, educators, youth, and public institutions around a shared vision of democracy in which all people are empowered, included, and heard.

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Manager, Policy & Coalition Strategy will manage the day-to-day operations of a three-year, catalytic grant from the Rhode Island Foundation to advance equitable civic education across Rhode Island. This role reports to the New England Executive Director. They will coordinate complex projects, facilitate diverse stakeholder groups, and track measurable outcomes in legislative advocacy, educator support, and youth engagement while maintaining rigorous attention to grant compliance, data tracking, and continuous improvement.

This is an exceptional opportunity to play a role in shaping Rhode Island's civic education landscape and contribute to a national model for equitable, youth-centered civic learning.

This is a temporary part-time role associated with a grant for the period from January 2026 to December 2028. The Manager, Policy & Coalition Strategy works 24 hours a week at a rate of $32 an hour. This may include some weekends and evenings. 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Project Leadership & Grant Oversight (35%)

• Serve as the primary operational liaison with the Rhode Island Foundation in coordination with the Executive Director.
• Support the Executive Director in ensuring compliance with grant requirements, including narrative and financial reporting. 
• Track budget execution across three years, tracking expenditures against approved allocations, and providing regular reports to the Executive Director.
• Develop and maintain detailed project work plans aligned with the three-year implementation timeline.
• Coordinate activities across three strategic priorities: Legislative & Infrastructure Development, Educator Support & Resources, and Assessment & Youth Engagement.
• Track deliverables including policy briefs, conference curricula, resource materials, and evaluation reports.
• Coordinate the mid-project evaluation and project closeout.

Coalition Strategy & Stakeholder Engagement (25%)

• Plan and facilitate monthly coalition meetings using consensus-based decision-making with support from the Executive Director as needed.
• Support the Steering Committee in coordinating cross-committee work and strategic planning.
• Lead planning and logistics for annual coalition retreats.
• Support five coalition committees in achieving goals.
• Cultivate and maintain relationships with partner organizations, including RIDE, the Secretary of State, teacher unions, and the RI History and Social Studies Advisory Council.
• Recruit new coalition members to expand diversity, geographic representation, and capacity that is reflective of Rhode Island’s population.
• Monitor partnership satisfaction and strengthen collaborative relationships. 

Legislative Advocacy & Policy Execution (20%)

• Coordinate the legislative campaign for passage of the $1M civics education funding bill by June 2027, supporting the Executive Director and coalition leadership.
• Coordinate development of policy briefs, testimony, and advocacy materials grounded in research and equity.
• Prepare and coordinate coalition members, educators, and youth for testimony before legislative committees.
• Track bill progress, maintain relationships with legislative champions, and organize coalition presence during RI General Assembly sessions (January-June annually).
• Advocate for reactivation of dormant Civics Commission and dedicated RIDE civics staff positions.
• Ensure that youth voices are centered in all coalition activities, including coalition meetings, lobbying opportunities, and external communications.

Outcomes Measurement & Learning (10%)

• Maintain and improve comprehensive systems tracking all grant metrics and outcome indicators.
• Collect and analyze quantitative and qualitative data via culturally responsive methods.
• Draft and coordinate the development of annual progress reports for Executive Director review.
• Support the coordination of the 2028 State of Civics Education follow-up study, including securing research partners, recruiting youth researchers, and managing the timeline and budget.
• Prepare presentations on findings for coalition members, funders, policymakers, and stakeholders.
• Document and disseminate best practices for internal learning and external replication to facilitate effective knowledge transfer.

Communications & Resource Development (10%)

• Maintain clear communication flows among 30+ coalition member organizations.
• Prepare meeting agendas, minutes, and action item tracking; create regular member updates.
• Elevate coalition visibility through strategic communications about activities, outcomes, and impact, both internally via newsletters and externally via op-eds.
• Manage the development process of equity-centered teaching materials and the statewide resource library by September 2027.

QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS

• Minimum 2+ years in education policy, coalition building, advocacy, or nonprofit program management.
• Demonstrated experience tracking or supporting grants or complex multi-stakeholder projects with measurable outcomes.
• Exceptional organizational skills, managing multiple priorities, deadlines, and budgets.
• Strong analytical skills using measurement systems and using data for continuous improvement.
• Experience working within or supporting diverse coalitions, building consensus, and navigating complex stakeholder dynamics.
• Understanding of legislative processes and developing actionable campaigns.
• Excellent written & verbal skills, synthesizing complex information for diverse audiences.
• Deep commitment to educational equity and racial justice; ability to center equity in all work.

NOTE

This position works primarily remotely but requires travel to attend various meetings, gatherings, and other potential in-person activities. The position requires access to reliable transportation throughout the state. 

HOW TO APPLY

Complete the application and ensure you attach a resume and cover letter. A recruiter will contact qualified candidates to schedule a phone interview. While the hiring timeline is subject to change, the GC team hopes to have the Manager, Policy & Coalition Strategy role in the New England Region filled by or before January 12, 2026. Thank you for your interest in joining our team at Generation Citizen. We look forward to reviewing your application! We encourage applicants to submit their applications early. 

SALARY

Generation Citizen is committed to maintaining a compensation and total rewards package that supports our ability to recruit and retain a diverse and talented team. As we make decisions about compensation, we are guided by the following values: clarity, consistency, and internal pay equity. Roles on the National team extend throughout the country, causing a wider salary range due to geographic variation versus regional roles that have a set salary. 

The salary for this role is $32.00 an hour. 

OUR COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION

Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) are values that Generation Citizen is committed to upholding across our business operations. To accomplish our purpose of Generation Citizen, we think it takes a diverse and inclusive team. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply for this position, and we welcome their applications.

GC’S CORE VALUES

Our best benefit of all? The opportunity to work alongside smart, passionate colleagues who are working to rebuild our democracy in alignment with our core values of grassroots change, systemic impact, collaboration and diversity, action, and open-mindedness.

VACATION TIME, PTO & PAID HOLIDAYS

Generation Citizen’s flexible paid time off policy includes paid sick days. Part-time employees working less than 30 hours per week are eligible to accrue sick time annually. Employees accrue sick leave at a rate of one hour for every 30 hours worked to a maximum of 40 hours of paid sick leave.

MEDICAL, DENTAL & VISION BENEFITS

GC offers all employees working more than 21 hours a week medical, dental, and vision benefits through a co-employment relationship with Emplova, a professional employer organization (PEO). Emplova provides five competitive Cigna medical plans for employees to choose from, as well as vision and dental plans with MetLife. All medical, dental, and vision benefits are effective on the 1st day of the month after an employee’s start date. GC subsidizes up to 80% for employees and 65% for their dependents, based on the selected plan.

ANCILLARY BENEFITS & PERKS

• Flexible Spending Account
• Health Savings Account
• 401(k) with a 3% employer match (capped at $1,000 annually)
• Pre-tax commuter benefits
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) through Emplova Health Advocate
• Tickets at Work 
• Pet Insurance