Business Planning and Policy Specialist

Responsibilities

• Communicates with state and other Youth Villages leaders (including CSO, COO, and CEO) about growth opportunities and new startups
• Assists and/or leads the process of responding to Request for Proposals (RFPs) of interest to the organization in order to grow services in assigned states
• Leads and/or contributes to meetings and presentations with key external stakeholders (including potential funders, state/county agencies, and lawmakers)
• Assists state leadership with policy and legislative priorities and action steps
• Supports technical writing (including proposal writing) as well as composing letters and emails, developing Power Points, etc.
• Creates budgets and analyzes financials to support business development decision‑making
• Collaborates with internal leadership, including other support departments (such as Strategy, Strategic Partnerships, Communications, Finance, etc.)
• Researches growth opportunities, cultivates relationships, and introduces proposals and services to potential funders (in conjunction with state and department leadership)
• Reviews bills, laws, and policies that may impact strategy and engagement with key stakeholders, and/or that will have an impact on child welfare, Medicaid, and other state systems that serve children, families, and young adults
• Completes research related to department priorities, initiatives, and opportunities
• Works closely with state leadership to drive expansion of Youth Villages services in assigned states (create and revise state strategy plans in collaboration with the state leadership, monitor RFP opportunities, lead RFP response efforts, generate new rates/budgets, work in collaboration with the state on a robust relationship management/building process, etc.)
• Carries out identified strategies and tactics for growth, system influence, and/or thought leadership
• Engages internal leadership in the planning process in a collaborative way

• Master's degree (preferred)
• Bachelor's degree (required)
• Specific degrees and coursework in public policy, public administration, political science, and/or social work (required)
• At least 6 months of leadership experience (preferred)
• Experience related to negotiating contracts with funders and/or knowledge of funding sources (preferred)
• Experience in government relations, proposal writing, desk research, and budgeting (preferred)
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Excellent written, verbal, and oral skills
• Ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously
  
  Ability to engage audiences easily and function in an in‑person or virtual environment
• Ability to think critically and conceptualize complex problems
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office products (specifically Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Teams, and Outlook)

Demonstrates expertise in proposal writing, budgeting, and government relations to drive business development and growth strategies. Proficient in engaging stakeholders and analyzing policies impacting child welfare and related systems.