Lead Advocacy Officer

# ABOUT ZERO TO THREE
Founded in 1977, ZERO TO THREE works to ensure that babies and toddlers benefit from the early connections that are critical to their well‑being and development. Our mission is to ensure that all babies and toddlers have a strong start in life. At ZERO TO THREE, we envision a society with the knowledge and will to support all infants and toddlers in reaching their full potential. Our Core Values Statement: We believe that how we do our work is as important as what we do. To learn more about ZERO TO THREE, please visit our website at zerotothree.org.

# SUMMARY
The Policy Center at ZERO TO THREE, a nonpartisan, research‑based resource on infant and toddler development, is seeking a changemaker and coalition‑builder to serve as the Lead Advocacy Officer. The Lead Advocacy Officer will manage the federal policy, government relations, family and community mobilization teams to execute a power‑building, integrated advocacy agenda that advances ZERO TO THREE’s mission of ensuring all babies and toddlers have a strong start in life.

The Lead Advocacy Officer will report to the Chief Policy Officer and serve on the Policy Center’s Leadership Team. The LAO will work closely with ZERO TO THREE’s communication and marketing division to develop and implement national and state advocacy campaigns, state and federal government relations strategies, and relationship‑ and coalition‑building efforts with a variety of stakeholders, grassroots organizations, and partners, including Congress and the Administration.

The Lead Advocacy Officer will supervise a team of Directors and specialists and work collaboratively with internal colleagues and external partners to ensure ZTT’s advocacy agenda drives meaningful policy and system change for infants, toddlers, and their families.

# ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

## Strategic Leadership and Collaboration
The Lead Advocacy Officer will lead the design and advancement of ZERO TO THREE’s advocacy plan in alignment with ZERO TO THREE’s strategic plan and in partnership with ZTT’s external partners and stakeholders. The LAO will collaborate effectively with their team, colleagues, and government relations consultants to design coordinated federal and state advocacy campaigns and government relations strategies.

This work will be carried out in an integrated manner, including through mobilization efforts and close partnership with the communications team to develop and implement media and other communications strategies and materials. The LAO will plan and ensure the successful implementation of annual high‑profile advocacy events at a reasonable cadence to build momentum and strengthen stakeholder engagement on ZERO TO THREE’s policy priorities and goals.

They will ensure all advocacy efforts comply with relevant laws and ethical standards and reflect transparency and accountability. They will lead their team in developing and fostering strategic partnerships and coalitions at the state and federal levels to drive and maximize impact and to seek input from families, early childhood professionals, stakeholders, and community partners.

The Lead Advocacy Officer will be closely attuned to shifts in the political and policy landscape, emerging opportunities and challenges, and their implications for ZERO TO THREE’s advocacy priorities. This requires the ability to operate effectively in dynamic and uncertain environments, to identify and communicate strategic tradeoffs, and to guide timely adjustments in approach and prioritization.

The Lead Advocacy Officer will work in close partnership with colleagues across the organization, including policy, advocacy, communications, and research teams, to ensure alignment and integration of strategies and activities. They will also develop, strengthen, and cultivate external partnerships and coalitions that advance shared policy goals and maximize collective impact.

## Strategic Engagement and Communication
The Lead Advocacy Officer will serve as an engaged, dynamic, and thoughtful external voice and representative for ZERO TO THREE, actively and capably leveraging their expertise, knowledge, and experience to amplify the reach and impact of ZERO TO THREE’s work.

The Lead Advocacy Officer will lead team members in representing ZERO TO THREE with various coalitions and will direct team members to provide technical assistance to federal policymakers and staff, including responding to inquiries for input on legislative language, report language, and comments on legislation and regulations.

The Lead Advocacy Officer will maintain robust internal communications to stay abreast of the work of colleagues across the organization and to keep colleagues informed of the department’s work with policy leaders and networks at the federal and local levels.

They will work closely with the communications team to draft materials including talking points, messaging, policy briefs, Congressional testimony, regulatory comments, legislative summaries, and other materials of various lengths and formats, and can succinctly and effectively express complex issues to federal policymakers, other key stakeholders, the media, and the public.

The Lead Advocacy Officer will lead team members to coordinate with ZERO TO THREE colleagues to organize congressional briefings and other events designed to advance ZERO TO THREE’s federal priorities and will contribute to grant proposals and reports to funders.

The Lead Advocacy Officer will keep the Chief Policy Officer and other senior leadership informed about pertinent legislative issues, external factors, and policy proposals and actions that impact infants and toddlers and their families.

## Team Leadership and Supervision
The Lead Advocacy Officer will possess the experience and knowledge needed to supervise a team of experienced policy advocates and government relations professionals with strong experience and deep subject matter expertise in their respective issue areas.

The Lead Advocacy Officer will provide the level of mentorship, engagement, and support needed to build and retain a proactive team and will leverage the subject matter expertise of team members to develop and build strategies, campaigns, and issue advancement.

The Lead Advocacy Officer will ensure that work is planned in collaboration with the various departments within the Policy Center, including the Policy System Integration and Innovation team, the Policy Research and Learning team, the Safe Babies Program, and the Prenatal‑to‑Five Network.

The Lead Advocacy Officer will evaluate team member performance and partner with members to establish annual goals and objectives and identify and provide appropriate professional growth and development opportunities.

## Policy Advocacy and Organizational Alignment
The Lead Advocacy Officer will possess a deep understanding of the policy arena and how policy relevant to ZERO TO THREE’s policy agenda is informed, shaped, and crafted through the ongoing, dynamic interplay of key national, state, and local stakeholders, including legislators, government agencies, community and grassroots leaders, and partner organizations.

The Lead Advocacy Officer will use this knowledge to provide needed nuance and details when advising colleagues on crafting campaigns, implementing strategy, and on the optimal ways of presenting and communicating issues to specific audiences.

The Lead Advocacy Officer must possess a strong understanding of Congressional and regulatory processes, particularly regarding the federal budget and annual appropriations process. They must possess the ability to understand and analyze complex legal, factual, and legislative concepts related to ZERO TO THREE’s federal policy agenda.

The Lead Advocacy Officer will establish processes to develop goals and priorities and will work with team members to continuously monitor, analyze, and assess proposed and existing relevant federal and state legislation and activities of federal and local agencies.

They will maintain a clear‑eyed focus on crafting and directing appropriate campaigns and actions to ensure the needs of infants and toddlers are reflected.

The Lead Advocacy Officer also will perform other duties as assigned for the purpose of ensuring the efficient and effective functioning of the advocacy and government relations strategy and advancement of ZERO TO THREE’s comprehensive policy agenda.

# ESSENTIAL SKILLS & EXPERIENCE
Minimum of 12 years of relevant advocacy and policy experience, including experience on Capitol Hill, government relations, lobbying, or related role.
Minimum of 8 years of relevant supervisory experience, including experience in leading a cross‑functional team through various priorities, strategies, and goals.
Demonstrated advanced knowledge and facility with influencing and advocating at federal and local levels.
Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of federal legislative and regulatory processes and procedures, including federal budget and appropriations processes.
Strong critical thinker and strategic planner with exceptional judgment and significant experience anticipating challenges and creatively problem‑solving.
Strong understanding of early childhood policy issues such as health, mental health, family support, or early learning (preferred).
Strong interpersonal and collaboration skills with a track record of cultivating and maintaining respectful relationships at all levels and across identities, including with key members of Congress and Executive Branch agencies.
Strong management and supervisory skills, including experience providing reflective supervision.
Experience with strategy development and execution, including developing actionable plans with timelines and measurable indicators.
Ability to connect research, policy, and practice into a unified strategy.
Ability to develop proposals and partner with Development Team on fundraising efforts.
Excellent oral and written communication skills, with ability to explain complex information clearly and deliver compelling presentations.

# EDUCATION
Law degree or master’s degree in public policy, social work, political science, or a related field.

# COMPENSATION & BENEFITS
Salary estimated at low $160,000s to low $180,000s depending on experience, location, budget, and internal equity.
ZERO TO THREE offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, HRA, retirement contributions, generous leave benefits, and more.

# PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
The employee is frequently required to use finger dexterity, hand dexterity for keyboard use, and close vision for data preparation. They may need to remain seated for extended periods, perform repetitive motions, reach for objects, grasp, push, pull, bend, stand, walk, squat, or kneel. May need to lift up to 30 pounds.

# ESSENTIAL QUALITIES
Encourages and practices critical thinking
Is self‑reflective and empathic
Recognizes the influence of workplace relationships on outcomes
Maintains a respectful and accepting approach
Understands the influence of larger context on behavior
Collaboratively supports colleagues across the organization

# WORKING CONDITIONS
Work is typically indoors in an office or home environment with moderate noise levels. Travel may expose the employee to outside environmental conditions.

ZERO TO THREE is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer of Minorities, Women, Protected Veterans, and Individuals with Disabilities.

Due to high application volume, individual feedback cannot be provided. Selected candidates will be contacted regarding next steps.

Learn more here