The Policy Center at ZERO TO THREE, a nonpartisan, research-based resource for policymakers and advocates on the unique developmental needs of infants and toddlers, is seeking a Director, Government Relations (Director). The Director is responsible for shaping, developing, and implementing strategy with Congress and the Administration to accomplish ZERO TO THREE’s goals of ensuring that all babies and toddlers have a strong start in life The Director will supervise a team of policy analysts who possess deep subject matter expertise in their respective issue areas and will work collaboratively with leadership within the Policy Center, across the organization, and with outside government relations consultants to set and execute federal strategic goals and priorities and monitor impact in advancing a comprehensive, equity-centered, policy agenda aligned to the mission and vision of ZERO TO THREE. The Director will possess a strong understanding of the federal policy and political landscape, be able to navigate changes and challenges, take advantage of new opportunities, and cultivate new and existing relationships to achieve significant policy wins. The 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; and the ability to represent and garner visibility for ZERO TO THREE’s policy priorities with key Congressional offices, the Administration partner organizations, and new allies. The Director reports to the Lead Impact Officer for the Policy Center. This position is based in Washington, DC and requires a regular presence on Capitol Hill and in meetings with Administration officials. The successful candidate must live in the DC metropolitan area but is not required to work from ZERO TO THREE’s Washington, DC office.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Leadership

The Director is responsible for overseeing and managing ZERO TO THREE’s government relations strategy to advance and realize ZERO TO THREE’s federal policy agenda, including annual appropriations, and short and long-term goals. The Director will work collaboratively with the Lead Impact Officer for the Policy Center, colleagues across ZERTO TO THREE, including the Senior Policy Advisor, Director of Policy Research, Director of Advocacy, Communications lead, a team of federal policy analysts, and outside government relations consultants to execute policy processes and conduct the analysis needed to identify and develop policy positions that will inform legislative and regulatory work, and demonstrate a keen understanding of the broader policy and political landscape. The Director will ensure that policy positions fully reflect ZERO TO THREE’s values and commitment to racial equity, are grounded in the science of early childhood development, and reflect the Policy Center’s theory of change. The Director will create clear, quantifiable tools and systems to regularly track and report on progress and impact toward advancing ZERO TO THREE’s policy priorities and will be closely attuned to possible and actual shifts and changes in political will and alliances, the emergence of new opportunities and challenges, and understand their impact on the operationalization of strategy. This requires the 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 Director will timely communicate changes to their colleagues and be able to identify and explain the attendant pluses, minuses, and tradeoffs. They will possess the abilities and skills needed to identify – and effectively communicate – needed changes in approach and prioritization and work collaboratively to execute a revised plan to operationalize strategy in ways needed to achieve significant policy wins. The Director is a seasoned relationship builder and collaborator. The Director will build and maintain relationships with key Congressional offices, Administration, and partner organization leaders, serving as a representative for ZERO TO THREE’s policy and legislative work and priorities. The Director will work effectively with their colleagues to utilize and activate all available levers to advance the government relations strategy in coordinated and interconnected ways, including working closely with the Advocacy Team to effectively coordinate with advocacy and mobilization strategies; with the communications lead to co-develop and execute media and other communications strategies; with other teams within the Policy Center and organization to understand the myriad ways federal policies are being implemented (whether positively or less so) at the state and community level and thoughtfully and consistently using that information to inform and shape its policy and legislative analysis and strategy, with particular attention to input from families, early childhood professionals, and community partners. The Director also advises on external strategic partnerships and coalitions with aligned policy and legislative goals that will maximize impact. As a leader within the Policy Center, the Director will also contribute to the development of effective ZERO TO THREE cross-programs and project integration and alignment.

Team Leadership and Supervision

The Director will possess the experience and knowledge needed to supervise a team of independent-minded policy analysts with strong experience and deep subject matter expertise in their respective issue areas. The 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 inform strategies and issue advancement. The Director will actively engage with team members as a thought partner to assist in addressing challenges and opportunities in their work to allow them to effectively execute the government relations strategy and lend their expertise to others in the organization. The Director will ensure that work is planned in collaboration with the Policy Research team to develop and build team capacity and ensure adherence with protocols and processes and consistency of approach, content, and quality across the organization. The Director will provide ongoing guidance, feedback, and support to fuel exceptional performance in achieving desired outcomes and goals. The 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.

Political Acumen, Policy Analysis, and Planning

The Director will possess a deep understanding of the political landscape and the workings of the federal government and will have relationships with – and understand - the key political players, national organizations, policymakers, and government agencies relevant to ZERO TO THREE and the advancement of its policy agenda. The Director will use this well of knowledge to provide needed nuance and details when advising colleagues on the optimum and particular ways of presenting issues to specific audiences. The Director must possess a strong understanding of Congressional and regulatory processes, its challenges and idiosyncrasies, particularly regarding the federal budget and annual appropriations process, and will work closely with ZERO TO THREE colleagues to engage in the ongoing, dynamic process of developing policy solutions to keep pace with change. The Director must possess the ability to understand, research, and analyze complex legal, factual, and legislative concepts related to ZERO TO THREE’s federal policy agenda. The Director will establish processes to develop goals and priorities, and continuously monitor, analyze, and assess the proposed and existing relevant federal legislation, activities of federal agencies, and recommend appropriate actions to ensure the needs of infants and toddlers are reflected. The Director will work closely with ZERO TO THREE’s outside government relations consultants and will integrate their work into policy and lobbying strategies.

Execution and Communication

In addition to strengthening and maintaining their existing relationships with federal policymakers, staff, and Administration officials, the Director will continuously foster, cultivate, and build productive and strategic relationships with new champions for ZERO TO THREE, and be a strong and active member of relevant coalitions and groups to raise the profile and relevance of ZERO TO THREE’s agenda. The Director will work with their team and colleagues to develop targeted strategies for ZERO TO THREE’s ongoing efforts and engagements to educate existing and new stakeholders about ZERO TO THREE’s federal policy interests. The Director will actively engage and support their team in working with new and existing allies and organizations to ensure they are able to effectively engage and work relationships to amplify ZERO TO THREE’s work and will leverage team members’ subject matter expertise to develop and advance their (Director) fluency in issue areas and the science behind the work. In collaboration with the communications lead, the Director will help to garner visibility for the policy and legislative work through presentations at conferences, meetings, and in other relevant forums, utilizing available and appropriate communication mediums. The Director will represent ZERO TO THREE, in concert with other federal policy staff, with various coalitions, and will 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 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 Director will contribute to the drafting of 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 Director will 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 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 Director also will perform other duties as assigned for the purpose of ensuring the efficient and effective functioning of the Government Relations strategy and advancement of the ZERO TO THREE federal policy agenda.

ESSENTIAL SKILLS & EXPERIENCE

• Minimum of 7 years relevant work experience, including experience on Capitol Hill, government relations, lobbying, or related role.
• Demonstrated advanced knowledge and understanding of the federal legislative and regulatory processes and procedures, including federal budget and appropriations processes; direct experience working in or with Congressional or Executive Branch offices strongly preferred.
• 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; experience monitoring legislative and regulatory proposals, and providing in-depth analysis of their potential impact, including using an equity lens, is required.
• Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues to devise and execute on strategies for multiple issue areas involving multiple Congressional Committees and Executive Branch agencies. 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 policy and legislative impact.
• 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 stay.

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 low $130,000s to high $140,000s 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.