The Manager of State Government Relations for Iowa 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 Iowa. 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 Iowa and targeted municipalities and counties. Under the direction of the Director of State Government Relations, and in coordination with the Manager of Mobilization for Iowa, he/she 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.
1. Manage ECE Issue Portfolio (40%)
Manage the ECE issue portfolio in Iowa 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.
2. Develop and Manage External Relationships (30%)
Under the direction of the State Government Relations Director, and in coordination with the Manager of Mobilization for Iowa, 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
- Minimum three to five years’ professional experience and demonstrated leadership in advocating at the state and local levels.
- Strong familiarity with the state legislative process and players.
- Strong strategic and advocacy skills.
- Established networks and contacts within governmental and nongovernmental ECE policy circles.
- Experience working in a campaign or initiative a plus.
- Ability to travel up to one-third of the time.
- 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 simultaneously.
Save the Children Action Network provides an attractive benefits package including competitive salaries, a matching retirement plan, health and welfare benefits, life insurance, an employee assistance program, generous time off and much more. We provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, ancestry, sexual orientation, national origin, age, handicap, disability, marital status, or status as a veteran. Save the Children Action Network complies with all applicable laws.
Save the Children Action Network is committed to conducting its programs in a manner that is safe for the children it serves and helping protect the children with whom Save the Children Action Network is in contact. Save the Children Action Network is obliged to create and maintain an environment that aims to prevent the sexual exploitation and abuse of children and promote the implementation of its child safeguarding policy. All representatives of Save the Children Action Network– employees, volunteers, interns, consultants, Board members and others who work with children on Save the Children Action Network’s behalf – are expected to conduct themselves in a manner consistent with this commitment and obligation.