Overview

Golden State Opportunity (GSO) is a nonprofit dedicated to ending poverty by providing all Californians with the tools to build financial wellbeing and thrive. GSO is led by doers who educate, engage, and empower working families. Our groundbreaking, culturally relevant work in thirteen languages reaches millions of low-income Californians and connects them with the financial resources they need to survive and then thrive.

We get things done through grassroots advocacy and partnerships with community-based organizations, and what we learn from this on-the-ground- work informs our policy advocacy. GSO began with a legislative victory led by and for low-income workers and families. Since then, we have fought to expand access to the CalEITC, federal EITC, higher wage jobs, and other anti-poverty solutions.

Over the next ten years, GSO’s focus will continue to be putting money in people’s pockets as well as expanding our state policy and advocacy impact. In addition, we are developing new tools to the power necessary to make transformational change possible and that includes establishing a 501(c)(4), investing in narrative shift about financial security and activating our supporters to be more involved in civic engagement.

Job Summary

Golden State Opportunity (GSO) is one of California’s leading organizations advancing policies that put money directly in the pockets of low-income workers and families. Since helping secure the creation of the California Earned Income Tax Credit (CalEITC), GSO has played a central role in expanding tax credits and other income-boosting policies that reduce poverty and improve financial stability for working families across the state. The Senior Government Relations Manager leads GSO’s engagement with policymakers, legislative offices, and coalition partners to advance policies that increase economic opportunity and reduce poverty in California.

A core responsibility of this role is building and maintaining trusted relationships with policymakers and partners while coordinating advocacy strategies that advance GSO’s legislative priorities. The position also plays an important role in connecting policymakers to GSO’s work on the ground, helping plan and execute events such as Tacos & Taxes community events, legislative briefings, advocacy days, and legislative appreciation events that deepen engagement with state leaders and their offices. To be successful, this position works closely with the Organizing, Program, Operations and Development teams as needed and participates in cross departmental team meetings.

This position requires a seasoned government relations professional who can work independently, navigate the California policy landscape, and represent GSO as a respected voice in economic justice policy.

Key Responsibilities

Government Relations & Legislative Strategy (45%)

• Develop and execute GSO’s government relations strategy to advance legislative and regulatory priorities.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with members of the California Legislature, the Governor’s Office, regulatory agencies, and legislative staff.
• Represent GSO in meetings with policymakers and staff to advance policies including the California Earned Income Tax Credit (CalEITC), Young Child Tax Credit, and other anti-poverty policies.
• Monitor and analyze legislation, regulatory developments, and policy opportunities affecting low-income Californians.
• Draft legislative briefings, policy summaries, and advocacy materials.
• Coordinate with coalition partners, contract lobbyists, and advocacy allies to advance shared policy goals.
• Provide policy updates and strategic recommendations to GSO leadership.
• Represent GSO at hearings, briefings, and policy discussions in Sacramento.

Coalition Leadership & Partnership Development (35%)

• Serve as a key partner in leadership of the Prosper California Coalition, helping align strategy among coalition members to strengthen tax credit and anti-poverty policies.
  Facilitate collaboration among community-based organizations, advocacy groups, and policy partners.
• Identify opportunities for joint advocacy campaigns and coalition-led policy initiatives.
• Represent GSO in statewide coalitions and policy forums aligned with our mission.
• Strengthen GSO’s network of organizations working to advance economic opportunity and reduce poverty in California.
• Support community-based partners engaged in GSO initiatives to strengthen their policy advocacy capacity.

Legislative Engagement & Advocacy Events (15%)

• Help design and execute opportunities that connect policymakers with GSO’s work and the communities we serve.
• Responsibilities include:
  • Coordinate legislative engagement for Tacos & Taxes events, helping connect legislators and their offices with community-based tax assistance efforts across the state.
  • Plan and support legislative briefings on key economic mobility and tax credit policies.
  • Help organize GSO Advocacy Days that bring community partners and advocates to Sacramento.
  • Coordinate legislative appreciation events, including policy receptions and lunches that strengthen relationships with policymakers and their staff.
  • Ensure events support GSO’s broader advocacy and government relations strategy.

Administrative, Compliance & Internal Engagement (5%)

• Track lobbying activity and ensure compliance with California lobbying reporting requirements.
• Coordinate with the operations team to support Fair Political Practices Commission reporting requirements.
• Support Development Team with grant writing to support policy and advocacy goals.
• Coordinate with the Comms and Program teams to develop engaging grassroots strategies to support our policy goals.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• 3-5+ years of experience in government relations, public policy advocacy, or legislative affairs.
• Strong relationships with California policymakers, legislative staff, and/or executive branch officials.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and execute advocacy or government relations strategies independently.
• Strong understanding of the California legislative process and policymaking environment.
• Experience working with coalitions, advocacy campaigns, or cross-organizational partnerships.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to translate complex policy issues into clear messaging for policymakers and partners.
• Commitment to advancing policies that increase economic security for working families.

Preferred Knowledge, Skill, and Abilities

• Experience working on anti-poverty policy, tax credits, or economic mobility initiatives.
• Strong relationships with economic justice, workforce, or community-based organizations in California.
• Language skills in Spanish, Chinese, Tagalog, Russian, Hmong, or other languages spoken in California communities.
• Experience with Salesforce or other contact management systems.

Compensation & Benefits

• Salary range: $95,000-$105,000 per year, depending on experience and qualifications
• Employer sponsored medical, dental and vision coverage for employee and family
• 401k plan
• Flexible time off
• 10 days of sick time
• 20 paid holidays per year

Application Process

Please submit your resume no later than Friday, April 3rd to jobs@goldenstateopportunity.org for consideration. Please include “Senior Government Relations Manager” in the email subject line.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement

Golden State Opportunity advances equity and inclusion in the workplace by providing equal employment opportunity to all as part of a work environment free from discrimination. We encourage and welcome applicants who will work to further this commitment and add to the diversity of our organization on multiple dimensions including race, religion, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, exercising the right to family care and medical leave, genetic information, marital status, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, sexual orientation, military/veteran status, political affiliation, arrest/conviction record, reproductive health decision-making, status as a victim of domestic violence/sexual assault/stalking, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.