The Policy Center at ZERO TO THREE, a nonpartisan, research-based resource on infant and toddler development, is seeking a Sr. Advocacy Director. The Sr. Director will lead the development and implementation of a comprehensive strategy that coordinates and integrates the efforts of the advocacy and government relations teams, in collaboration with the communications team, to support and advance ZERO TO THREE’s mission of giving all babies and toddlers a strong start in life. The work will advance ZERO TO THREE’s policy agenda through the creation and implementation of national and state advocacy campaigns, including related materials and events, state and federal government relations strategies, and relationship- and coalition-building efforts with a variety of stakeholders, grassroots organizations, and partners, including Congress and the Administration. This role involves supervising government relations analysts and policy analysts, collaborating with internal leadership and external consultants, and advancing a comprehensive, equity-centered policy agenda.
ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES
Strategic Leadership
The Sr. Director will lead the development of a multi-faceted strategy that effectively coordinates and marries advocacy outreach and government relations work with targeted and focused communications to deliver a comprehensive federal and local approach to the implementation of ZERO TO THREE’s policy agenda. They will collaborate with team members, internal colleagues, external government relations consultants, and relevant stakeholders to develop policy positions that reflect ZERO TO THREE’s values and commitment to racial equity and that are grounded in early childhood development science.
The Sr. Director will work effectively with their team, colleagues and external government relations consultants to develop federal and state advocacy campaigns and government relations strategies in coordinated and interconnected ways, including through mobilization strategies and collaborative efforts with the communications team to develop and execute media and other communications strategies and materials. They will plan and ensure the successful implementation of annual high-profile advocacy events at ZERO TO THREE’s Annual Conference and on Capitol Hill. They will ensure all advocacy efforts comply with relevant laws and ethical standards and reflect transparency and accountability. They will lead their team in developing and fostering strategic partnerships and coalitions at the state and federal levels to drive and maximize impact and to seek input from families, early childhood professionals, stakeholders, and community partners. As a leader within the Policy Center, the Sr. Director will also contribute to the development of effective ZERO TO THREE cross-programs and project integration and alignment.
The Sr. Director will be closely attuned to possible and actual shifts in alliances, the emergence of new opportunities and challenges, and their impact on the operationalization of strategy and campaigns. This requires the Sr. Director to possess nimble and agile thinking and understand how to operate “in the gray,” when the landscape view changes, and the path forward is not clear. The Sr. Director will constantly monitor and assess impact and make needed adjustments to campaigns and strategies and to effectively communicate changes needed in approach and prioritization. They will work collaboratively to operationalize strategy and campaigns in ways needed to achieve significant policy wins.
The Sr. Director must have the ability to influence and motivate others; strong conceptual, writing, and communication skills with the ability to translate complex policy issues into digestible and accessible content; a high level of understanding and experience with legislative, appropriations, and regulatory processes; the ability to garner visibility for ZERO TO THREE’s policy priorities with key stakeholders, including Congressional offices, Administration partner organizations, state and grassroots partners, community leaders, and new allies; and the ability to partner with these stakeholders to amplify advocacy efforts.
Team Leadership and Supervision
The Sr. Director will possess the experience and knowledge needed to supervise a team of experienced policy analysts and government relations professionals with strong experience and deep subject matter expertise in their respective issue areas. The Sr. Director will provide the level of mentorship, engagement, and support needed to build and retain a proactive team and will leverage the subject matter expertise of team members to develop and build strategies, campaigns, and issue advancement. The Sr. Director will ensure that work is planned in collaboration with the research agenda being carried out by the Policy Research team and will work with the Policy Research Director to develop and build the policy research capacity of advocacy team members, ensure adherence with policy research protocols and processes, and achieve consistency of approach, content, and quality across the organization. The Sr. Director will evaluate team member performance and partner with members to establish annual goals and objectives and identify and provide appropriate professional growth and development opportunities.
Policy Analysis and Planning
The Sr. Director will possess a deep understanding of the policy arena and how policy relevant to ZERO TO THREE’s policy agenda is informed, shaped, and crafted through the ongoing, dynamic interplay of key national and local stakeholders, including legislators, government agencies, community and grassroots leaders, and partner organizations. The Sr. Director will use this well of knowledge to provide needed nuance and details when advising colleagues on crafting campaigns, implementing strategy, and on the optimal ways of presenting and communicating issues to specific audiences. The Sr. Director must possess a strong understanding of Congressional and regulatory processes, its challenges, and idiosyncrasies, particularly regarding the federal budget and annual appropriations process. The Sr. Director must possess the ability to understand and analyze complex legal, factual, and legislative concepts related to ZERO TO THREE’s federal policy agenda. The Sr. Director will establish processes to develop goals and priorities, and will work with team members to continuously monitor, analyze, and assess proposed and existing relevant federal and state legislation and activities of federal and local agencies. They will maintain a clear-eyed focus on crafting and directing appropriate campaigns and actions to ensure the needs of infants and toddlers are reflected. The Sr. Director will work closely with team members to collaborate with ZERO TO THREE’s outside government relations consultants and will lead efforts to integrate their work into advocacy, policy, and legislative strategies.
Execution and Communication
The Sr. Director will continuously work to identify opportunities to cultivate, build, and expand productive and strategic relationships with new champions for ZERO TO THREE. They will be a strong and active member of relevant coalitions and groups and will identify ways to strengthen those relationships and partnerships to further amplify and advance the profile and relevance of ZERO TO THREE’s agenda.
In collaboration with the communications team, the Sr. Director will help garner visibility for the advocacy, policy and legislative work through presentations at conferences, meetings, and in other relevant forums, utilizing available and appropriate communication mediums. The Sr. Director will lead team members in representing ZERO TO THREE with various coalitions and will direct team members to provide technical assistance to federal policymakers and staff, including responding to inquiries for input on legislative language, report language, and comments on legislation and regulations. The Sr. Director will serve as an engaged, dynamic, and thoughtful external voice and representative for ZERO TO THREE, actively and capably leveraging their expertise, knowledge, and experience to amplify the reach and impact of ZERO TO THREE’s work. The Sr. Director will maintain robust internal communications to stay abreast of the work of colleagues across the organization and to keep colleagues informed of the department’s work with policy leaders and networks at the federal and local levels. They will work closely with the communications team to draft materials including talking points, messaging, policy briefs, Congressional testimony, regulatory comments, legislative summaries, and other materials of various lengths and formats, and have the ability to succinctly and effectively express complex issues to federal policy makers, other key stakeholders, the media, and the public. The Sr. Director will lead team members to coordinate with ZERO TO THREE colleagues to organize congressional briefings and other events designed to advance ZERO TO THREE’s federal priorities and will contribute to grant proposals and reports to funders. The Sr. Director will keep the Chief Policy Officer and other senior leadership informed about pertinent legislative issues, external factors, and policy proposals and actions that impact infants and toddlers and their families.
The Sr. Director also will perform other duties as assigned for the purpose of ensuring the efficient and effective functioning of the advocacy and government relations strategy and advancement of ZERO TO THREE’s comprehensive policy agenda.
ESSENTIAL SKILLS & EXPERIENCE
- Minimum of 10 years relevant advocacy and policy experience, including experience on Capitol Hill, government relations, lobbying, or related role.
- Demonstrated advanced knowledge and facility with influencing and advocating at federal and local levels.
- Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of federal legislative and regulatory processes and procedures, including federal budget and appropriations processes.
- Strong critical thinker and strategic planner with exceptional judgement and significant experience anticipating challenges and creatively problem-solving to address actual and possible scenarios and risks.
- Strong understanding of early childhood policy issues such as health, mental health, family support, or early learning, preferred.
- Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues to devise and execute on strategies for multiple issue areas involving multiple federal and local agencies and stakeholders. Able to work effectively independently and as a member of a team.
- Strong and productive interpersonal and collaboration skills with track record of cultivating, building, and maintaining respectful and collaborative relationships at all levels and across all identities – including with key members of Congress and Executive Branch agencies - with ability to ability to influence, motivate, challenge, and inspire confidence among others.
- Strong management and supervisory skills, including experience providing reflective supervision (see Essential Qualities), with ability to inspire and motivate seasoned team members.
- Experience with strategy development and execution, including developing actionable plans around long and short-term goals – built with timelines and measurable progress indicators that generate impact and influence on policy, legislation, and public opinion.
- Excellent oral and written communicator with demonstrated ability and skill serving as an external spokesperson to: effectively explain and amplify ZERO TO THREE’s reach and engage different audiences, stakeholders, and interested parties; make complicated/technical information understandable and accessible; create and deliver compelling and effective presentations.
- Strong organizational skills with the ability to adapt work on multiple projects simultaneously, navigate stressful situations, and shift gears to address challenging and changing circumstances with a balanced approach and without losing sight of the details or the big picture.
- Ability to travel, including occasional overnight stays.
ESSENTIAL QUALITIES
- Encourages and practices critical thinking
- Is self-reflective and empathic
- Recognizes the influence of workplace relationships on outcomes and results
- Maintains a respectful and accepting approach to others
- Awareness of the influence of the larger context on individual behavior
- Collaboratively and creatively supports the work efforts of colleagues at all levels and in all areas of the organization
EDUCATION
Law degree or master’s degree in public policy, social work, political science, or a related field.
COMPENSATION & BENEFITS
This position's salary is estimated to be mid $130,000s to high $160,000s depending on experience, geo-location, budget, and other comparable and similarly scoped internal positions. In addition to salary, ZERO TO THREE offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, HRA, retirement contributions, generous leave benefits and more.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
While performing the responsibilities of the job, the employee is frequently required to use finger dexterity and sufficient hand dexterity to use a computer keyboard and be capable of reading a computer screen. Also, they may need to remain seated for extended periods, can perform repetitive motions, and reach for objects. An employee is frequently required to hold a writing instrument, communicate verbally, and hear well enough to detect nuances and receive detailed information. They may be required to grasp objects, push, and pull objects, bend, stand, walk, squat, or kneel. Vision abilities required by this job include close vision for data preparation or analysis, and expansive reading. May need to lift up to 30 pounds.
