National Director, Public Affairs

SupportFinity™; Washington; Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

Children’s Defense Fund in the United States seeks a National Director to steward enterprise-wide policy advocacy, thought leadership, and strategic communications in service of child well-being and racial equity.

You will lead the Public Affairs division, guide multi-year strategy, manage a diverse team, and partner with the CEO and CPTI to advance campaigns, research, and public campaigns nationwide.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree with 10+ years of related and/or supervisory experience.
• Master’s degree in Public Policy, Public Administration, Social Work, or related field is preferred.
• 6-8 years senior management experience with managing a high performing team of staff and volunteers.
• A minimum of 5 years of combined experience in public policy, communications, public relations, and/or politics.
• Track record of earned leadership and trust among diverse constituencies.
• Experience as lead staff for policy, campaign, research, or communications on the state or national level.
• Nuanced understanding of the fundamentals and challenges of the non-profit sector.

Responsibilities

• Set strategic direction for CDF’s long-term national public affairs narrative, brand promise and policy strategy alongside Vice President & Chief Program Strategy Officer, with input from Directors of Policy and Communications.
• Lead cross-functional team toward high stakes state policy, federal policy, and national communications goals for the good of CDF’s mission.
• Collaborate with President & CEO and Vice President/Chief Program Strategy Officer to align governance for the CDF Action Council with organizational objectives.
• Develop annual workplans to translate organizational goals for public policy into a functional departmental workplan, with clear metrics and milestones, while tracking and reporting scorecard results to senior management.

Skills

Team leadership

Strategic planning

Public policy

Strategic communications

Budgeting

Coalition-building

Data analysis

Stakeholder engagement

Policy analysis

Education

Bachelor’s Degree with 10+ years of related and/or supervisory experience

Master’s degree in Public Policy, Public Administration, Social Work, or related field is preferred

Job description

Organization Overview

Children’s Defense Fund (CDF) envisions a nation where marginalized children flourish, leaders prioritize their well‑being, and communities wield the power to ensure they thrive. CDF’s mission is to build community, so young people grow up with dignity, hope, and joy. CDF core values are Justice, Compassion, Equity, Trust, and Love.

We serve and advocate for the largest, most diverse generation in America: the 74 million children and youth under the age of 18 and 30 million young adults under the age of 25, with particular attention to those living in poverty and communities of color. CDF partners with policymakers, aligned organizations, and funders in this service. The Children’s Defense Fund is the only national, multi‑issue advocacy organization working at the intersection of child well‑being and racial justice by wielding the moral authority of programmatic proximity and community organizing to inform public policy. For more information visit www.childrensdefense.org.

Position Summary

The primary responsibility of this national leadership position is stewarding enterprise‑wide efforts in policy advocacy, thought leadership, strategic communications and narrative building regarding CDF’s mission, vision, and strategy. As CDF seeks to set a standard for child‑wellbeing nationwide and build the movement to achieve it, the National Director role is a critical strategic though leader toward these ends. The National Director supports the Vice President & Chief Strategy Officer in development of multi‑layered, multi‑year strategy and workplans to support child‑centered, racial equity‑informed strategic communications and public policy agendas. This leader manages the Public Affairs division, including the policy and communications teams. The secondary responsibility of the National Director is supporting the work of the CDF Action Council 501(c)4 platform. The ideal candidate will have a successful track record of results in public policy and strategic communications and possess astute, contemporary political and narrative analyses grounded by commitment to children and families.

Qualifications

Responsibilities

Leadership and Strategy

• Set strategic direction for CDF’s long‑term national public affairs narrative, brand promise and policy strategy alongside Vice President & Chief Program Strategy Officer, with input from Directors of Policy and Communications
• Lead cross‑functional team toward high stakes state policy, federal policy, and national communications goals for the good of CDF’s mission
• Collaborate with President & CEO and Vice President/Chief Program Strategy Officer to align governance for the CDF Action Council with organizational objectives.
• Align programming and strategic impact with peer CDF programming through Leadership Development and Organizing and Child Policy Training Institute (CPTI) teams
• Collaborate with National Director of CDF CPTI and Alex Haley Farm to identify policy research and/or narrative strategies to align with CDF CPTI National Training Programs and Haley Farm convenings.
• Develop annual workplans to translate organizational goals for public policy into a functional departmental workplan, with clear metrics and milestones, while tracking and reporting scorecard results to senior management.
• Integrate strategic communications with community organizing, direct service, and public engagement efforts.
• Deepen trust, capacity and presence with key partners and constituencies through active coalition membership and leadership.
• Manage protocols and policies for policy advocacy, strategic communications, and lobbying.
• Set performance outcomes and engagement metrics to monitor progress and adjust strategies.
• Remain current and serve as in‑house expert on leading and promising public policy and communications strategies, augmenting expertise of existing teams.
• Work with Vice President, Chief Strategy Officer to develop and manage annual departmental budget to support functional departmental workplan, ensuring achievement of revenue and spending goals.
• Set goals, create work plans, and facilitate performance improvement for Public Affairs Team
• Develop and retain a team of high‑performing staff to execute the policy and communications strategy.
• Identify opportunities for professional learning and professional growth for all team members.

Program Management and Evaluation

• Oversee the development, tracking, and reporting of policy advocacy and communications program goals, outcomes, and performance metrics.
• Lead sourcing, application and tracking for relevant grant and funding opportunities to meet Public Affairs and organizational goals.
• Develop human capital plans to achieve program objectives, then hire, deploy, and support staff.
• Work closely with Vice President to budget and monitor program to ensure sound fiscal and system management.
• Collaborate with National Director of CPTI to identify research, outcomes and initiatives to align with public campaigns. Collaborate closely with National Director of CPTI to design and coordinate communications, recruitment and storytelling strategies from direct service constituencies and partnerships.
• Participate and steward team participation in organizational development efforts.

Public Policy and Strategic Communications

• Direct the development and implementation of public policy and political advancement strategy for CDF’s policy agenda, including research partnerships and reports, targeted outreach and communications, strategic and tactical plans.
• Strengthen and socialize national values‑centered narrative of child wellbeing with support of research partnerships, policy expertise and community insight to further mobilize movement for children.
• Ensure the development of disciplined and innovative external communications across diverse platforms from CDF to the public through the development of unified communications and marketing plans with complementary editorial calendars and staff accountabilities.
• Track shifting conditions (demography, economy, politics, geography) and challenges/opportunities across arenas for change (electoral, legislative, judicial, administrative, communications, corporate) which impact and inform CDF’s policy and political strategy.
• Support the development of action campaigns including developing effective campaign plans, coordination of campaign activities and actions, and recruiting coalition allies.
• Collaborate with National Director of CPTI to identify research to align with public campaigns.
• Analyze/assess public affairs efforts based upon data collected and implement corrective measures as required.
• Serve as liaison with federal and national values‑aligned partners to advance CDF’s vision.
• Monitor emerging needs among CDF’s base and key stakeholders, including students and youth, alumni, Freedom School parents, and faith community leaders.

Education And/or Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree with 10+ years of related and/or supervisory experience
• Master’s degree in Public Policy, Public Administration, Social Work, or related field is preferred. Years of education may be considered for experience.
• 6-8 years senior management experience with managing a high performing team of staff and volunteers.
• A minimum of 5 years of combined experience in public policy, communications, public relations, and/or politics.
• Track record of earned leadership and trust among diverse constituencies.
• Expertise in one or more of the following areas: policy analysis, policy advocacy, coalition‑building, child well‑being, and/or racial equity.
• Experience as lead staff for policy, campaign, research, or communications on the state or national level.
• Successful experience managing a high‑performing team of staff and community members.
• Working knowledge of program planning, organizational structure, budgeting, and administrative operations.
• Experience with evaluation or participatory action research (experience with Salesforce a plus).
• Nuanced understanding of the fundamentals and challenges of the non‑profit sector.

Preferred Qualifications

• Proven success in campaign development and performance development.
• Successful public policy advocacy, community organizing and/or narrative strategy for child well‑being and/or racial equity.
• Strong Experience on‑the‑record with external audiences across mainstream, community and digital platforms
• Relationships with policy leaders at mission‑aligned national organizations and government agencies
• Leading the process from ideation development to publication of major policy reports and/or narrative campaigns.

Competencies

• Excellent skills in management and leading teams toward high‑stakes outcomes
• Racial equity analysis and application in the social sector
• Community awareness and prioritization of proximity to inform decision‑making
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Relationship and consensus building with diverse stakeholders
• Ability to build and successfully navigate in a fast‑paced, outcomes‑driven, and entrepreneurial environment
• A well‑organized individual with high ethical and professional standards
• A self‑directed individual who is an independent thinker and a team player
• Analytical ability is required to gather and summarize data for reports, find solutions to business challenges

Personal Characteristics

• Orientation to and background of servant leadership
• Passion for CDF's mission and purpose and ability to communicate this passion to others
• Ability to serve as an advocate and exemplar for the vision, values, and mission of the Children’s Defense Fund
• Demonstrated strong relational skills

Work Environment

Indoor, office setting. Hybrid schedule 3 days in office/ 2 days remote

About the company

Children's Defense Fund