Managing Director, Humanitarian Policy; M3

Save the Children has been fighting for the rights of children for over 100 years, working in some of the world's hardest-to-reach places across 100+ countries, including the U.S.. By joining Save the Children, you create positive, irreversible change for children and the future we all share.

As the Managing Director of Humanitarian Policy, you will lead Save the Children’s U.S. federal humanitarian policy portfolio, driving policy research, federal relations outreach and strategy with a focus on bipartisan engagement to advance child-focused policies. You will report to the Head of Policy and oversee a team that implements advocacy strategies producing measurable results in the legislative and executive branch arenas.

Your role will coordinate closely with Save the Children US and global teams, coalition partners, and leaders in the humanitarian policy and advocacy community.

Hybrid - Washington DC office location

• Lead Save the Children’s humanitarian policy agenda on conflict, natural disaster, famine, complex emergencies, civilian-military relations, and other humanitarian responses.
• Manage and prioritize the federal humanitarian policy portfolio, including agenda setting, development, and implementation of issue-specific advocacy strategies.
• Develop policy and strategic plans for ongoing and emerging humanitarian crises using U.S. government policy tools (legislation, appropriations, executive actions, regulatory authorities, internal agency policies).
• Advance Save the Children’s priorities through strategic engagement with Congress, the Executive Branch, and multilateral institutions, emphasizing bipartisan outreach.
• Represent the organization in humanitarian policy coalitions, fostering bipartisan collaboration and managing coalition efforts when appropriate.
• Monitor and develop expertise on emerging humanitarian crises beyond the core portfolio, ensuring organizational readiness.
• Brief senior colleagues on emerging developments, risks, and opportunities, and lead outreach to policymakers on new and evolving situations.
• Oversee the development of policy products, including reports, briefs, and external-facing materials to support advocacy and public engagement.
• Identify and promote opportunities for bipartisan engagement with policymakers and stakeholders.
• Maintain regular communication and coordination with the Head of Policy on progress toward goals, challenges, and emerging priorities.
• Provide strategic leadership during critical legislative or administrative developments, responding rapidly to evolving policy environments.
• Supervise a team of policy and advocacy professionals focused on humanitarian issues.
• Hire, train, and manage humanitarian policy staff.
• Develop and coach the team, communicating organization, division, and department priorities and how their work supports the mission and values.
• Oversee performance management, goal setting, and professional development, including mid-year and annual performance reviews.
• Participate in the Government Relations Senior Management Team and align strategies across policy areas to achieve strategic and campaign goals.
• Represent Save the Children US in global humanitarian policy and advocacy teams.
• Prepare, contribute to, and review reports and other written materials related to humanitarian policy and advocacy, as well as key crises and conflicts.
• Develop relationships with peers in other Save the Children member, regional, and country offices, and with international organizations.
• Track progress toward objectives and grant deliverables, contributing to reporting and administration.
• Assist with the completion of quarterly and yearly reporting.
• Contribute to department strategy, annual work planning, budgeting, and fundraising.

• Minimum bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience, plus at least 10 years of relevant experience.
• Proven experience in legislative/lobbying, government relations, or humanitarian policy advocacy, including on Capitol Hill or a relevant federal agency.
• Familiarity with the legislative process, including authorization and appropriations.
• Ability to build and…