Under the direction of the AVP, Public Affairs and Development, and working with the Director State Government Relations the Associate Director State Government Relations will implement U.S. Programs’ state policy and advocacy campaign. The position will be based in California and work in specific states in the Western United States. The campaign should have a truly significant impact on the growth and visibility of U.S. Programs. The Associate Director State Government Relations will develop new funding opportunities for U.S. Programs through state authorization and appropriation processes as well as discretionary funding through state agencies. The role will include the use of grass roots, media, lobbying, internet advocacy and/or training components. The Associate Director State Government Relations will also generate public awareness of U.S. Programs. The position holder will work as a team with the National and State based program leadership teams as well as departments such as Legal, Public Affairs and Communications, and Public Policy and Advocacy, as well as the entire U.S. Programs division. Therefore, the Associate Director will have to manage across the entire organization; furthermore, the Associate Director will be responsible for hiring and managing (including contract oversight) consulting firms that will help on the campaign. The Associate Director will be responsible for increasing public funding for U.S. Programs by working with state and local policy makers; tracking policy developments relevant to U.S. Programs; and ensuring accurate and non-partisan flow of information to help affect policy change on the state and local levels. The Associate Director will work closely with Resource Development and the Marketing and Communication departments to build strategic partnerships with relevant advocacy groups to facilitate the campaign.
- Lead a Western US state-specific focused campaign to generate public dollars for, and public awareness of, U.S. Programs. Serve as member of USP’s National Team, serving as resource for state teams. (40%)
- Serve as the policy and advocacy liaison for Save the Children’s U.S. Programs to specific state and local governments. This will have a focus on two areas: (1) early childhood education & (2) children and emergencies. (15%)
- Lead and implement special events and advocacy activities, including field visits, opinion leader gatherings, briefings, and issues forums. Serve as Save the Children’s spokesperson at special events, activities and meetings. (15%)
- Work with SCAN staff to draft and distribute regular e-mail campaign updates and action alerts as well as overall coordination with the new 501(c)(4). (10%)
- Write, manage, and coordinate presentations, proposals and reports for state and local governments and insure that they are completed and submitted on time. (10%)
- Other tasks (10%)
- Monitor and analyze state and local budgets
- Monitor and analyze authorizing and appropriations legislation
- Identify, hire and manage outside consultants and oversee their contracts
- Performs other duties as assigned
- You have a minimum 5-7 years experience working in state Capitols or in public policy/advocacy
- Have experience managing departments within an organization to achieve a goal
- Have a clear understanding of issues related to poverty in rural communities in general, and literacy and nutrition specifically, and the ability to convey that understanding in a clear and easily understood way
- Demonstrate strong computer skills
- Possess strong written and verbal communications and analytic skills
- Have strong organizational and detail-oriented skills
- Be able to work independently, handle multiple tasks simultaneously, and meet deadlines
- Be a decisive, diplomatic and flexible team player, and have the ability to interact effectively with the public, staff, volunteers and government officials
- Understand state and local budgeting processes
- Have managed staff and had budget responsibility
- Be a good public speaker on behalf of Save the Children’s U.S. Programs
- Meaningful work, with a knowledge that you are changing the lives of children all around the world
- A family friendly work environment
- Highly collaborative and innovative teams
- Generous paid vacation days, holidays, family leave days, and sick time
- Healthcare plans including medical, dental, and life insurance
- Retirement savings account with matching company contributions
- Structured and formalized management development and coaching programs for mid and senior level managers
- Extensive e-learning opportunities on a variety of topics offered through our affiliation with several prestigious universities as well as language learning opportunities