Policy and Advocacy Director – Higher Education and Workforce

About Young Invincibles

Young Invincibles (YI) is a non-profit, non-partisan advocacy organization working to expand economic opportunity for young people ages 18 to 34 and to amplify their voices in the national political conversation and policy arena. Founded by and for young adults in the summer of 2009 during the debate over health care reform, YI has quickly grown into a leading voice for young people on issues of healthcare, higher education, pathways to jobs/workforce, and civic engagement.

The organization has achieved major successes in areas ranging from the regulation of college health plans to Pell grants and has successfully engaged hundreds of thousands of young adults online through a network of over 100 partner organizations. Our regional offices (California, Colorado, Illinois, New York, and Texas) have increased grant aid for low-income college students, expanded funding for community colleges, and ensured undocumented students can access in-state tuition.

Position Description

YI seeks a Director of Public Policy & Advocacy to lead the overall strategy and positioning on higher education and workforce issues. This position will be responsible for developing YI’s higher education and workforce policy agenda, including setting the agenda at the federal level and working with YI’s regional directors to develop state policy priorities that further organizational goals.

The Director will lead government affairs strategy and help develop advocacy campaigns with an eye towards advancing YI’s higher education and workforce policy agenda at the federal level and supporting YI’s state-level advocacy efforts. They will also build critical relationships with stakeholders for YI to advance policy values and priorities pertaining to young adults in the area of higher education and the workforce.

The ideal candidate has a strong background in higher education and workforce policy and legislative advocacy, as well as demonstrated experience building productive relationships with key stakeholders. They will also have excellent analytical skills with an ability to think critically and write effectively.

An understanding of and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion are critical to the success of this role, and candidates should be prepared to articulate how they will approach policy analysis and development with an equity lens and strong commitment to improving disparities among young adult populations. This position is a fantastic opportunity to serve as the resident postsecondary policy expert for an influential public policy organization.

Location: Washington, DC with the ability to work in the office at least once a week.

Primary Responsibilities

• Develop the organization’s higher education and workforce policy agenda and supporting advocacy strategies to move those policies forward.
• Lead policy development on higher education and workforce issues. Assist with data analysis and research projects and author policy reports, issue briefs, and fact sheets that analyze higher education and workforce policy issues affecting young adults.
• Manage day-to-day government affairs on higher education and workforce issues for the policy department, including rapid response analysis of bills and policy proposals.
• Build and maintain relationships with Congressional staff, administrative staff, and other policymakers. Represent YI in Hill meetings and communications to advance our policy agenda.
• Support efforts to coordinate higher education and workforce policy and advocacy efforts/campaigns across YI’s regions. Work with YI regional directors to ensure alignment on organizational higher education and workforce positions and policy goals.
• Represent the organization at external events, including coalition meetings, to foster our external relationships and collaborate strategically with partners.
• Serve as an on-record spokesperson for YI on higher education and workforce policy at events, in official statements, and in the media.
• Support the development of higher education and workforce issue advocacy trainings and consumer education materials.
• Contribute to the development of higher education and workforce-related fundraising proposals and execute on and track federal higher education and workforce policy grant deliverables as necessary.

Required Skills/Qualifications

• 6-8 years of relevant experience in federal higher education policy and/or workforce politics, and familiarity with state higher education policy issues.
• Must have a Bachelor’s degree in Public Policy, Government Affairs, or a related field. Work experience in lieu of education will be considered.
• Capitol Hill experience, particularly committee experience, is highly desired.
• Existing relationships with higher education and workforce policy stakeholders, including Hill staff.
• Knowledge of state and federal workforce policy is required.
• Excellent research and writing ability, including an existing portfolio of policy materials.
• Experience successfully leading legislative advocacy campaigns.
• Experience managing projects with multiple teams and competing priorities.
• Experience building and managing relationships with external partners.

Benefits

• Annual Salary: $105,060
• Comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision coverage, company-funded HRA plan, 401K retirement, life insurance, generous vacation, etc.

Young Invincibles is an equal employment opportunity employer and strongly encourages diverse candidates to apply. YI does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, sex (including pregnancy), gender, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, medical condition (including genetic characteristics), mental or physical disability, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity (including transgender status), weight, height, linguistic characteristics (such as accent and limited English proficiency where not substantially job-related), citizenship status, or any other basis prohibited by law.

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