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?
Our client is 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
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
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Our client is 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
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
#J-18808-Ljbffr