Manager of Government Affairs & Policy

Metropolitan Family Services empowers families to learn, to earn, to heal, to thrive. Part mentor, part motivator, part advocate, since 1857, Metropolitan Family Services has been the engine of change that empowers families to reach their greatest potential and positively impact their communities. Metropolitan is Illinois’s first comprehensive human services agency and reaches more than 205,000 individuals and families in Chicago, Evanston/Skokie, the southwest suburbs and DuPage County with services promoting education, economic stability, emotional wellness and empowerment.

We are now hiring for a full‑time Manager of Government Affairs & Policy to join our HQ Team!

• Government Affairs & Legislative Advocacy
  • Lead implementation of the agency’s federal, state, and local legislative and public policy advocacy agenda.
  • Develop and maintain strategic relationships with elected officials, legislative staff, and government agencies.
  • Represent the agency in meetings, hearings, coalitions, and advocacy activities.
  • Monitor and analyze legislative and regulatory developments and guide the agency’s response to emerging policy issues.
  • Develop and recommend advocacy strategies and policy recommendations that advance the agency’s mission and program priorities.
• Staff Supervision
  • Supervise Government Affairs & Policy Associates, Policy Analysts, and interns.
  • Provide mentorship, coaching, and performance management for department staff.
  • Coordinate staff assignments to ensure effective execution of policy research, advocacy initiatives, and legislative engagement.
  • Foster a collaborative and mission‑driven departmental culture.
• Policy Strategy, Research, Analysis, and Communications
  • Guide policy development efforts and ensure policy recommendations align with organizational priorities, community needs, and evidence‑based practices.
  • Support the Vice President of Policy and Government Affairs in developing departmental policy strategies, advocacy priorities, and annual policy agendas.
  • Identify opportunities to strengthen the agency’s policy impact through partnerships, policy initiatives, and advocacy initiatives.
  • Oversee policy research and legislative analysis conducted by Government Affairs & Policy Associates and Policy Analysts.
  • Ensure the development of high‑quality policy briefs, reports, testimony, fact sheets, and advocacy materials.
  • Translate complex policy issues into accessible communications for internal and external audiences.
  • Support the development and dissemination of advocacy communications including newsletters, action alerts, and policy updates.
  • Maintain awareness of emerging public policy trends affecting human services and the communities served by the agency.
• Project and Initiative Management
  • Manage Government Affairs & Policy initiatives across the project lifecycle, including planning, implementation, and evaluation.
  • Establish and maintain project management processes for departmental policy and advocacy initiatives.
  • Track policy priorities, advocacy campaigns, and departmental progress toward strategic goals.
• Stakeholder Engagement and Coalition Leadership
  • Build and maintain partnerships with policymakers, advocacy organizations, community coalitions, and research institutions.
  • Participate in external coalitions, policy working groups, and collaborative initiatives, and ensure team coverage for all department coalitions.
  • Serve as a key liaison between the Government Affairs & Policy Department and agency programs and Community Centers.
• Advocacy Task Force Leadership
  • Oversee the agency‑wide Advocacy Task Force (ATF).
  • Guide the development of advocacy priorities and policy recommendations through ATF work groups.
  • Support internal engagement across the agency to strengthen participation in advocacy initiatives, and ensure effective collaboration among workgroup leaders, staff, and department.
• Administrative and Organizational Responsibilities
  • Maintain documentation and reporting on policy activities, legislative engagement, and advocacy outcomes.
  • Support the Vice President of Policy and Government Affairs in staffing Board committees and policy‑related initiatives.
  • Collaborate with…