The Manager of State Government Relations for Colorado will oversee the state and local legislative portfolio for Save the Children Action Network (SCAN)’s early childhood education (ECE) campaign to advance early childhood education (ECE) legislative and policy initiatives in Colorado. The Manager reports to the Director of State Government Relations based in Washington, DC.
The Manager will develop and implement strategies to advance SCAN’s ECE initiatives in Colorado and targeted municipalities and counties. Under the direction of the Director of State Government Relations, and in coordination with the Manager of Mobilization for Colorado, will develop and manage relationships with state and local legislative bodies, executive offices, and organizations that align with SCAN’s ECE priorities. The Manager will execute legislative strategies along with the coordinating, tracking, and reporting of legislative affairs activities.
Manage ECE Issue Portfolio (40%)
- Manage the ECE issue portfolio in Colorado and its municipalities and counties. Under the direction of the Director of State Government Relations, identify legislation and other opportunities to advance SCAN’s ECE priorities. Help to develop legislative and funding strategies in coordination with the Director of State Government Relations, in-state team, and other SCAN staff as necessary. This includes coordinating with the Senior Advisor of ECE Policy to ensure that all legislation and programs meet SCAN’s standards for quality and effectiveness. Collaborate with existing ECE coalitions and feed into their strategies when aligned with SCAN’s priorities.
Develop and Manage External Relationships (30%)
- Under the direction of the State Government Relations Director, and in coordination with the Manager of Mobilization for Colorado, develop and manage bipartisan and bicameral relationships with state and local officials with a focus on key committees of jurisdiction and members in leadership. This includes relationships with governors, mayors, state legislators, county executives’ offices and relevant agencies along with the ECE advocacy community.
Develop Advocacy and Educational Strategies (15%)
- Spearhead and develop educational and advocacy strategies with partners, when appropriate, to educate state and local targets on SCAN’s ECE legislative priorities. Share SCAN’s policy positions and Save the Children’s reports, hold briefings, and work to position SCAN as a strong advocate and thought leader in the ECE space at the state and local level.
Internal Coordination with SCAN and USP (10%)
- Work closely with the Director of State Government Relations to ensure strategies are coordinated and appropriately aligned. Work with the state’s mobilization team to identify where there is a need to generate grassroots and grasstops support for influencing state and local policy. Keep in-state partners and State Government Relations Director updated about progress and communication opportunities and continue to look for how best to influence key state and local decision-makers through earned and social media and other tactics.
Monitoring, Accountability, and Administrative (5%)
- Monitor achievement of predetermined objectives, including compliance with state lobbying and gift laws and contributing to reporting, expenditure and administration.
- Strong strategic and advocacy skills.
- Ability to travel domestically up to 30%.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Team player with excellent interpersonal and collaboration skills.
- Highly professional, motivated, energetic and well organized.
- The ability to work independently and drive multiple initiatives simultaneous
- Strong familiarity with the state legislative
Preferred Qualifications
- A Bachelor and Master’s degree with a focus on education a plus
- Established networks with elected officials, governmental and nongovernmental ECE policy circles a plus
- Experience working in a campaign or initiative