ICOY is hiring a Director of Public Policy & Government Affairs to lead ICOY’s policy and legislative agenda. With the Chief Executive Officer and with the input from the Policy Advisory Committee of the Board of Directors, the Director is responsible for articulating and executing ICOY’s strategic policy agenda. The Director of Public Policy & Government Affairs also assists ICOY members with problems and concerns, particularly in regard to interactions with various government agencies. The Director is a member of the ICOY Leadership Team and is responsible for implementation and evaluation of the organization’s policy imperatives under its strategic plan. 

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Public Policy

• Oversee and support the Policy Advisory Committee of the Board of Directors, including an annual evaluation and adoption of the formal guiding principles that serve as a lens through which the organization views proposed legislation. The PAC also helps to shape the agency’s legislative agenda

• Lead the development of ICOY’s annual proactive legislative agenda, in conjunction with the Policy Advisory Committee and the CEO. These are the signature pieces of legislation around which ICOY organizes our advocacy efforts

• Supervise and direct the Policy Team

• Supervise any contractual support for the Policy Team, such as contractual lobbyists and policy advisors

• Establish relationships with state and as needed, federal, lawmakers to influence policy making

• Present the policy positions and opinions of the organization to the public, government officials, and other stakeholders 

• Work with the Policy Team to track legislation and identify ICOY’s position (support, oppose, neutral) on relevant legislation 

• Lead research efforts on policy issues relevant to ICOY’s mission, strategic plan, and policy agenda

• Collaborate with ICOY’s state and national partners on legislation that may impact the outcomes of or services to children, youth, and families

• Oversee the mobilization of ICOY members and the field to support our proactive legislative agenda and to oppose policies and legislation harmful to children, youth, or families, or the community-based providers serving them

• Serve as a subject matter expert on child welfare, youth services, and child and family wellbeing

• Oversee the preparation of written materials in support of ICOY’s legislative agenda, including testimony, talking points, fact sheets, website updates, and social media in conjunction with the Director of Marketing and Communications and the Community Relations Manager

• Testify, as needed, at legislative hearings on relevant subjects and legislation

• Oversee the analysis of the Illinois state budget proposals and the potential impact on outcomes for and services to children, youth, and families

• Collaborate with ICOY’s Communications and Marketing Team to share key information with members on state and federal policies

Government Affairs/Member Relations

• Deliver customer service and problem solving for members, in conjunction with the Communications and Marketing Team and the CEO

• Represent ICOY and its members on policy commissions, committees, and workgroups and/or direct members of the Policy Team to do so

• Oversee ICOY’s outreach to providers and members to engage them and solicit their perspectives, interests, and concerns in assigned policy areas (youth services, juvenile justice, child welfare, children’s mental health, child and family wellbeing)

• Plan and execute events as needed around ICOY-centered legislation to increase awareness, create advocacy opportunities, and network with stakeholders

• Assist with planning for ICOY member events and programming, including but not limited to Annual Meeting, Monthly Member calls, member communications, and member engagement, in conjunction with the Communications and Marketing Team and the CEO

Leadership Team

• Serve as an advisor to the Chief Executive Officer

• Help to shape ICOY’s future strategic direction and annual action plans

• Participate in the development of ICOY’s internal policies and procedures

• Respond to organizational problems and concerns

• Represent the Policy Team with the Leadership Team

• Attend meetings of the Board of Directors

• Assist with the development of ICOY’s annual budget

• Assist with agency fundraising and proposal development as needed

• Collaborate with other ICOY teams to identify advocacy opportunities

Qualifications

• 10-15 years of experience in the field of child welfare or youth services with increasing levels of responsibility 

• Master’s degree in social work, public policy, or related field

• Excellent writing and editing skills

• Experience leading a team of professionals

• Commitment to the mission, vision, values, and beliefs of the organization 

• Knowledge of the legislative process preferred

Compensation 

$85,000 - $ 120,000 depending on years of experience and qualifications. ICOY offers competitive benefits, including health, dental, and disability insurance, sick and vacation time, and a retirement plan with employer matching contributions. We also offer a four-week paid sabbatical after six years of employment at ICOY.

Location

This position is located at ICOY’s Springfield office near the Capitol; ICOY also has an office in downtown Chicago where the Director of Public Policy & Government Affairs will occasionally be required to visit for meetings. Some staff on the Policy Team may be based out of the Chicago office as well. At this moment, we are working in a hybrid mode in response to the public health emergency and will continue to assess remote work strategies in accordance with public health guidelines. 

Starting Date

June 1, 2023

Application Instructions

Please submit a resume and cover letter to Sarah Daniels, Chief of Staff, at sdaniels@icoyouth.org, by close of business on Friday, April 14.