[Hiring] Advocacy Director @America Forward

Role Description

The America Forward Advocacy Director leads advocacy and government relations strategy and execution across America Forward's issue areas; directs the organization's policy efforts in early learning, family literacy, K-12 education, youth mental health & wellbeing (including substance use disorders), and national service; and meaningfully participates in external engagement efforts, including fundraising, communications, and field leadership. The Advocacy Director is an expert advocate and coalition leader who is adept at turning ideas into action; committed to collective advocacy, top-quality advocacy training, and 1:1 advising; and skilled at partnering with high-performing non-governmental organizations, federal and state policymakers, and philanthropic foundations.

Responsibilities

• Lead America Forward's collective advocacy and government relations strategy across core issue areas, including congressional advocacy, federal department and agency engagement, and select state advocacy.
• Serve as a lead representative of America Forward to policymakers and engage in extensive direct advocacy and education efforts.
• Lead policy development and collective advocacy work in early learning, family literacy, K-12 education, youth mental health & wellbeing, and national service.
• Direct the America Forward Coalition's Early Learning, K-12 Education, and Youth Mental Health & Wellbeing Task Forces, including developing bi-annual policy platforms.
• Lend expertise and leadership to the America Forward Advocacy Institute and participate in capacity-building offerings.
• Lead the execution of America Forward grants relating to education, youth mental health & wellbeing, family literacy, and national service.
• Lead select institutional fundraising efforts and support the Executive Director in engagement efforts.
• Participate actively in field leadership efforts to advance America Forward Coalition priorities.
• Serve as a representative of America Forward to thought leaders, social entrepreneurs, and other key stakeholders.
• Contribute to America Forward's communications and message development for policy work.
• Partner effectively with expert external consultants and experienced lobbyists.
• Build strong and effective relationships with Coalition members and network partners.

Qualifications

• Significant professional experience (ideally 10+ years) in federal policy leadership, focusing on early learning, K-12 education, youth mental health & wellbeing, and national service.
• Significant experience working on Capitol Hill and/or a federal agency and/or in the policy department of a national nonprofit organization, think tank, or philanthropic organization.
• Proven record of strategic, effective leadership managing complex projects with multiple stakeholders.
• Strong consensus-building skills; experience working with or managing coalitions.
• Ability to steward relationships across sectors and comfort working with a range of policy stakeholders.
• Ability to work collaboratively with a team of senior policy consultants.
• Interest in learning new policy areas as opportunities emerge; ability to thrive in a fast-paced, growth-oriented environment.
• Superior written communication skills; ability to synthesize complex information into clear, concise materials.
• Superior verbal communication skills; experience and comfort with public speaking.
• Strong attention to detail and a willingness to coordinate logistics.
• Passion for America Forward's missions and social entrepreneurship; familiarity with social innovation and nonprofit sector preferred.
• Location in the Washington, D.C., metro area preferred.

Benefits

• Dynamic and rewarding work environment.
• Commitment to attracting, developing, and retaining exceptional people.
• Safe and open work environment respecting all classifications protected by law.

Company Description

America Forward is a project of New Venture Fund (NVF), a 501(c)(3) public charity that incubates new and innovative public-interest projects and grant-making programs.