Director of Policy

The Jed Foundation is seeking a skilled and passionate Director of Policy to drive our ambitious state and federal mental health policy agenda. This role is pivotal in shaping our organization’s policy direction and advocating for impactful change. We are looking for our next Policy, Advocacy & Government Relations professional with a demonstrated track record of success identifying and prioritizing opportunities for impact, building and implementing advocacy campaigns, developing relationships with elected officials, collaborating with external government relations consultants, managing coalition engagement, and developing communications strategies for advancing advocacy priorities. This position reports to the Senior Vice President of Policy, Advocacy & Government Relations.

MISSION: To lead JED’s efforts to research, synthesize, identify and implement actions to strengthen the youth mental health and suicide prevention field through advocacy and government relations activities.

Key Responsibilities

• Establish additional areas in which to develop and/or support bills/policy changes at the state and federal levels (e.g., college accreditation).
• Create and distribute a monthly policy newsletter for internal and external audiences.
• Develop grassroots support (among staff, other external stakeholders, etc.) for JED’s policy priorities.
• Manage JED’s government relations and advocacy consultants towards high-impact, measurable outcomes.
• Design and execute internal and external educational programs to strengthen knowledge and impact in mental health policy and advocacy.
• Engage and cultivate new youth mental health and suicide prevention task forces, working with groups, and coalitions focused on advocacy that align with JED’s strategy and focus areas.
• Maintain and expand JED’s involvement in existing coalition and task force partnerships, including the Mental Health Liaison Group, STARR Coalition, Sound the Alarm for Kids, and Hopeful Futures, among others.
• Identify, review and, as appropriate, support legislation ideas from other organizations that are consistent with JED’s goals.
• Develop, manage and cultivate relationships with elected officials, as needed, to achieve JED’s advocacy priorities and goals.
• Recognize and secure potential government funding opportunities for the Development team to consider.
• Work across the organization to develop and deploy key advocacy deliverables in collaboration with the following teams:
  • Learning and Evaluation
  • Communications
  • Academic Programs
  • Community Programs
• Design and implement a student internship program focused on mental health policy and advocacy, including establishing partnerships with academic institutions and creating hands-on learning opportunities. Oversee recruitment, mentoring, and professional development of interns to ensure alignment with the organization’s strategic goals and to cultivate future mental health policy leaders.
• Play a key role in the planning and design of the annual policy summit, ensuring its success and relevance to key stakeholders.
• Integrate principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion into all government affairs efforts, ensuring they address and reflect the needs of diverse populations.
• Additional policy-related duties as assigned.

Skills, Knowledge, and Expertise

• Master’s Degree in Political Science and/or Mental Health related degree, or equivalent experience.
• 5+ years of relevant experience in mental health, health, or disability policy, ideally including work within state or federal legislative or executive branch offices, government affairs, or nonprofit policy and advocacy organizations.
• Exceptional persuasive writing ability, strong public speaking and communication skills.
• Alignment with JED’s guiding principles and mission.

Pay Ranges / Location / Travel Information

• Pay Ranges: The range listed on this job posting is based on JED’s compensation posting ranges. Salaries may be higher or lower depending on experience and geographic location.
• Location/Travel Information: This position is HYBRID, with some work-from-home and occasional in-person meetings at JED’s central office in NYC or other locations as designated by JED leadership. Additional travel may be required. Must be able to be in DC for weekly in-person meetings, Hill days, Conferences, etc. Travel ~50% in the US.

About The Jed Foundation

JED is a nonprofit that protects emotional health and prevents suicide for our nation’s teens and young adults. We’re partnering with high schools and colleges to strengthen their mental health, substance misuse, and suicide prevention programs and systems. We’re equipping teens and young adults with the skills and knowledge to help themselves and each other. We’re encouraging community awareness, understanding, and action for young adult mental health.

Learn more here