National Director Public Affairs

Job Description
National Director, Public Affairs & Policy Strategy

Are you a strategic leader who understands how policy, narrative, and communications shape movements? Do you believe child well-being and racial equity must sit at the center of public policy?

We are seeking a National Director to lead an enterprise-wide strategy across policy advocacy, strategic communications, and thought leadership for a mission-driven, national social impact organization focused on children, youth, and families.

This executive-level role will shape long-term public affairs strategy, guide national policy positioning, and oversee high-performing policy and communications teams. The National Director will serve as a key strategic partner to senior leadership and help drive a bold, multi-year agenda rooted in equity, community voice, and measurable impact.

What You'll Lead

Strategic Leadership

• Set national public affairs narrative, brand positioning, and policy strategy in partnership with executive leadership
• Lead cross-functional teams toward ambitious federal and state policy goals
• Translate organizational priorities into annual workplans with clear metrics and milestones
• Align communications strategy with organizing, direct service, and public engagement efforts
• Oversee departmental budgeting, performance management, and team development

Policy & Narrative Strategy

• Direct development and implementation of national public policy and advocacy strategies
• Shape values-centered narratives that mobilize diverse constituencies
• Oversee unified communications and marketing plans across platforms
• Track political, demographic, and economic shifts to inform strategy
• Guide research partnerships and major policy publications
• Build and steward coalitions with aligned partners and stakeholders

Program Oversight & Impact

• Establish performance metrics and accountability systems
• Lead grant sourcing and funding alignment for policy initiatives
• Support campaign planning, coalition recruitment, and execution
• Monitor emerging stakeholder needs and adjust strategy accordingly

Requirements
What You Bring

• Bachelor's degree required;
  Master's degree in Public Policy, Public Administration, Social Work, or related field preferred
• 10+ years of relevant experience in public policy, communications, advocacy, or politics
• 6-8 years of senior leadership experience managing high-performing teams
• Demonstrated success leading state or national-level policy or campaign initiatives
• Strong understanding of nonprofit strategy, budgeting, and organizational operations
• Expertise in policy analysis, coalition-building, racial equity, or child/family-focused advocacy

Preferred Experience

• Proven campaign development and execution
• Experience leading narrative strategy or major policy reports from concept to publication
• Established relationships with national policy leaders and aligned institutions
• Comfort representing organizations in mainstream, community, and digital medCore Competencies
• Strategic leadership in high-stakes environments
• Deep commitment to racial equity and community-centered decision-making
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills
• Strong coalition-building and consensus-building ability
• Analytical thinker with the ability to translate data into action
• High ethical standards and servant-leader mindset