Public Policy Manager

ABOUT US

United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County unites the community to identify and solve our most critical issues. We are dedicated to improving people's lives and creating community-level change. Our work includes leading cross-sector collaborations, advocating for public policy changes and investing in programs that prevent problems from happening in the first place for those in need. Our strategy for improving quality of life and advancing the greater good involves focusing in four impact areas: 1.) Ready Children - preparing children for kindergarten; 2.) Successful Students - empowering students to graduate and reach their full potential; 3.) Strong Individuals and Families - helping individuals and families become self-sufficient 4.) Safety Net - addressing urgent and essential needs for those in crisis.

JOB SUMMARY

The Public Policy Manager advances United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County’s mission to unite the community to identify and solve our most critical issues by supporting policy, advocacy, research, and community engagement strategies that improve outcomes for children, students, families, individuals, and people in crisis. This role works across internal teams, community partners, public officials, coalitions, nonprofit organizations, and civic leaders to monitor policy trends, analyze legislation, develop advocacy materials, and support initiatives that align with UWSA’s community impact priorities.

This position will serve as the lead staff person for the organization’s internal public policy committee and be responsible for policy analysis, stakeholder engagement, government relations, advocacy strategy, and written/verbal communication. The ideal candidate is a collaborative, mission-driven professional who can translate complex policy issues into clear recommendations, build trusted relationships across sectors, and help position UWSA as a respected convener and advocate for meaningful community solutions.

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITES

Policy Research, Analysis, and Strategy

• Monitor local, state, and federal policy developments that may impact UWSA’s priority areas, including early childhood development, student success, family stability, economic mobility, emergency assistance, nonprofit capacity, and community safety net services.
• Analyze legislation, public funding opportunities, regulatory changes, and policy proposals to assess potential impact on UWSA, partner agencies, and the broader community.
• Prepare policy briefs, issue summaries, talking points, position statements, testimony, and other materials for internal leadership, board committees, partner coalitions, and external stakeholders.
• Support the development and implementation of UWSA’s annual public policy and advocacy agenda in alignment with organizational priorities and community needs.
• Translate data, community feedback, and partner insights into actionable policy recommendations.

Government Relations and Advocacy

• Build and maintain relationships with elected officials, public agency staff, civic leaders, nonprofit partners, coalitions, and advocacy organizations.
• Represent UWSA in policy-related meetings, community forums, coalitions, task forces, and public hearings, as appropriate.
• Coordinate advocacy activities that elevate UWSA’s mission, community impact priorities, and partner agency needs.
• Track legislative sessions, city and county budget processes, public hearings, and policy initiatives relevant to UWSA’s work.
• Support leadership in preparing for meetings with public officials, funders, and community stakeholders.

Community Impact Alignment

• Partner with UWSA Community Impact staff to identify policy opportunities that support:
• Preparing young children for life
• Helping students succeed
• Strengthening individuals and families
• Supporting people in crisis
• Serve as the staff lead for the internal Public Policy Committee and collaborate with internal staff to connect policy work with program outcomes, community data, grant priorities, and partner agency feedback.
• Help ensure policy recommendations reflect the lived experiences of the communities UWSA serves.
• Support policy strategies that strengthen the nonprofit sector and improve access to resources for community-based organizations.
• Supervise interns as available and necessary.

Grant Advocacy and Public Funding Strategy

• Support advocacy efforts that promote increased public investment in evidence-based programs and services addressing early childhood development, educational success, economic mobility, workforce development, housing stability, health, and emergency assistance.
• Develop funding briefs, issue papers, advocacy materials, and presentations that communicate the impact of public investments on community outcomes.
• Coordinate with nonprofit partners, coalitions, and community stakeholders to advocate for funding priorities that strengthen the social services sector and increase resources available to residents of Bexar County.
• Assist with the development of policy positions, testimony, letters of support, and public comments related to government funding opportunities and budget proposals.
• Support grant application efforts by providing policy analysis, community needs data, legislative context, and public-sector funding insights.
• Build and maintain relationships with government agencies, public-sector funders, and community stakeholders to strengthen UWSA’s role as a trusted partner and advocate for community investment.
• Work closely with leadership to identify opportunities where advocacy, public policy, and grant funding strategies can be aligned to maximize community impact and advance UWSA's strategic objectives.

Communications and Public Education

• Develop clear, compelling policy communications for internal and external audiences.
• Create advocacy toolkits, fact sheets, presentations, newsletters, and briefing materials that explain complex issues in accessible language.
• Work with Marketing and Communications to align public policy messaging with UWSA’s brand, mission, values, and community voice.
• Support public education efforts that increase awareness of critical community issues and policy solutions.

Coalition and Partner Engagement

• Convene and support partner discussions around shared policy priorities.
• Foster collaboration among nonprofits, public agencies, business leaders, education partners, funders, and community advocates.
• Identify opportunities for UWSA to participate in or lead cross-sector advocacy efforts.
• Maintain awareness of partner agency challenges, emerging needs, and policy barriers affecting service delivery.

Data, Reporting, and Evaluation

• Track public policy activities, legislative outcomes, stakeholder engagement, and advocacy progress.
• Maintain policy calendars, legislative trackers, contact lists, meeting notes, and advocacy documentation.
• Support reports to senior leadership, board committees, funders, and community partners.
• Identify indicators to evaluate the effectiveness and reach of UWSA’s policy and advocacy efforts.

BENEFITS

• Employer-subsidized healthcare plan with employer-funded HRA offered.
• Group dental, vision, life insurance and other insurance products available.
• Paid holidays, personal and sick leave time.
• 403(b) retirement plan with employer matching available.