Advocacy & Professional Development Manager

New York School Nutrition Association (NYSNA) | Capital Region, NY | Full-Time

The New York School Nutrition Association (NYSNA) is a statewide professional association dedicated to supporting, educating, and advocating for school nutrition professionals. Through legislative advocacy, professional development, leadership opportunities, and member engagement, NYSNA works to strengthen school nutrition programs and the professionals who serve New York’s students.

Position Overview

NYSNA seeks an experienced, resourceful Advocacy & Professional Development Manager to advance its public policy priorities, strengthen member advocacy, lead educational programming, and support volunteer committees. The ideal candidate brings practical advocacy experience, confidence communicating with legislative offices and presenting to groups, and demonstrated success turning volunteer-led priorities into completed programs and measurable results.

This hands-on role requires initiative, sound judgment, strong writing and relationship-building skills, and the ability to manage projects independently while working collaboratively with association leadership, volunteers, government agencies, coalition partners, and staff.

Key Responsibilities

Advocacy & Government Relations

Partner with leadership and the Public Policy & Legislation Committee to help develop legislative strategy, implement policy priorities, and coordinate the annual position paper and approval process.
Monitor legislation and regulatory developments; track bills, legislative contacts, advocacy activity, and engagement using Quorum and other tools.
Build and maintain relationships with legislative offices, state agencies, coalition partners, and other stakeholders; participate confidently in legislative meetings and represent NYSNA professionally.
Develop advocacy communications, talking points, member action alerts, public relations materials, and press releases in coordination with leadership.
Plan and manage the annual Advocacy Conference and legislative visits, including meeting schedules, participant education, speakers, materials, and event logistics; deliver presentations and prepare members to advocate effectively.

Professional Development & Educational Programming

Lead planning, delivery, and evaluation of workshops, webinars, conference education, and other training programs; identify member learning needs, emerging trends, and opportunities for growth.
Manage calls for speakers, proposal review, presenter communications, session scheduling, learning objectives, and educational content requirements.
Administer continuing education processes, including CEU documentation, attendance records, certificates, evaluations, and compliance with applicable program standards.
Oversee NYSNA’s Boot Camp 101 program, including scheduling, presenters, curriculum materials, participant communications, and assessment.
Use attendance, evaluations, and financial results to improve program quality, reach, and revenue; identify and develop sustainable new education or program revenue opportunities.

Volunteer & Committee Management

Serve as staff liaison to the Public Policy & Legislation, Professional Development, and Farm to School committees; develop productive relationships with chairs and members.
Guide volunteer leaders in translating strategic priorities into annual committee charges, practical work plans, deadlines, and measurable outcomes.
Coordinate meetings, agendas, materials, assignments, and follow-up; maintain accountability, sustain volunteer engagement, and proactively address obstacles.

Program Management & Communications

Manage assigned programs and projects from planning to completion, including timelines, budgets, registration, speakers, partner coordination, onsite execution, and post-program assessment.
Prepare clear, accurate advocacy and educational content and collaborate with colleagues on member communications, promotions, and relevant updates for association publications; editorial production is handled separately.
Identify improvements and new program or partnership opportunities that enhance member value and generate revenue; support other association priorities as assigned.

Required Qualifications

At least three years of relevant professional experience in advocacy, government relations, association or nonprofit management, adult education, or related program leadership.
Demonstrated experience working directly with volunteer committees, boards, councils, or volunteer-led groups, and managing projects through completion.
Working knowledge of legislative advocacy or public policy processes, with the confidence to engage legislative offices, develop advocacy materials, and speak or present to groups.
Experience coordinating educational programs, workshops, conferences, or professional training; strong organizational, writing, presentation, and relationship-management skills.
Ability to work independently, set priorities, solve problems, manage records and budgets, and use Microsoft Office and relevant digital systems.

Preferred Qualifications

Five or more years of relevant experience, particularly with a professional or trade association or nonprofit organization.
Hands-on experience with legislative strategy, bill tracking, grassroots advocacy platforms such as Quorum, coalition engagement, or government relations.
Experience administering CEUs, educational objectives, certificates, adult-learning programs, curriculum, or program evaluations.
Experience developing earned-revenue programs, sponsorship or partnership opportunities, or financially sustainable education offerings.
Bachelor’s degree in public administration, political science, education, nonprofit management, communications, or a related field, or equivalent relevant experience.

What We’re Looking For

A proactive, accountable professional who can take ownership without constant direction; motivate volunteers without supervising them; communicate persuasively with legislators and diverse stakeholders; present comfortably to groups; connect detailed project work to broader policy and organizational goals; and spot opportunities to strengthen programs, partnerships, and revenue. Adaptability and collaboration are essential in our small-team environment.

Compensation & Benefits

Annual base salary: $55,000–$60,000, commensurate with qualifications and experience.
Additional quarterly bonus opportunities totaling up to $4,000 annually.
Employer-sponsored health insurance, with an optional health insurance buyout for eligible employees who decline NYSNA coverage.
Paid time off and additional benefits in accordance with NYSNA policies, plus opportunities for professional development and industry engagement.

Work Environment

NYSNA offers a collaborative, professional work environment with a hybrid schedule that includes remote Fridays and one additional remote workday each week. Employees are expected to maintain flexibility for in-person meetings, association activities, and operational needs. In-state and out-of-state travel is required for conferences, advocacy initiatives, professional development programs, and other association events. Occasional evening and weekend commitments are also required.

How to Apply

Submit a resume and cover letter describing relevant experience in legislative advocacy, volunteer committee management, educational programming, and independent project leadership to jennifer@nyschoolnutrition.org

Resumes will be accepted until November 15th or until position has been filled.

NYSNA is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing equal employment opportunities to qualified applicants.

New York School Nutrition Association

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Advocacy & Professional Development Manager