Sr. Advocacy Director

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.

Our Commitment to Diversity

ZERO TO THREE is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer committed to inclusive hiring, advancement, and professional development. It is dedicated to diversity in its work, its staff, and community partners. This is an exceptional opportunity for a professional who shares our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion and supports our mission to enhance outcomes for all children.

Summary

The Policy Center at ZERO TO THREE, a nonpartisan, research-based resource on infant and toddler development, is seeking a Sr. Advocacy Director. The Sr. Director will lead the development and implementation of a comprehensive strategy that coordinates and integrates the efforts of the advocacy and government relations teams, in collaboration with the communications team, to support and advance ZERO TO THREE’s mission of giving all babies and toddlers a strong start in life.

The work will advance ZERO TO THREE’s policy agenda through the creation and implementation of national and state advocacy campaigns, including related materials and events, 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. This role involves supervising government relations analysts and policy analysts, collaborating with internal leadership and external consultants, and advancing a comprehensive, equity-centered policy agenda.

Essential Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

The Sr. Director will lead the development of a multi-faceted strategy that effectively coordinates advocacy outreach and government relations work with targeted communications to deliver a comprehensive federal and local approach to implementing ZERO TO THREE’s policy agenda. They will collaborate with team members, internal colleagues, external government relations consultants, and relevant stakeholders to develop policy positions that reflect ZERO TO THREE’s values and commitment to racial equity, grounded in early childhood development science.

They will work effectively with their team, colleagues, and external consultants to develop federal and state advocacy campaigns and government relations strategies. This includes mobilization strategies and collaborative efforts with the communications team to develop and execute media and other communications strategies and materials. They will ensure the successful implementation of annual high-profile advocacy events, such as ZERO TO THREE’s Annual Conference and events on Capitol Hill, while ensuring compliance with laws, ethical standards, and transparency.

Team Leadership and Supervision

The Sr. Director will possess the experience and knowledge needed to supervise a team of experienced policy analysts and government relations professionals. They will provide mentorship, engagement, and support to build and retain a proactive team, leveraging subject matter expertise to develop strategies, campaigns, and issue advancement. The Sr. Director will also collaborate with the Policy Research team to develop policy research capacity and ensure adherence to research protocols.

Policy Analysis and Planning

The Sr. Director will have a deep understanding of the policy arena and how policies related to ZERO TO THREE’s agenda are shaped by national and local stakeholders, including legislators, government agencies, and community leaders. They will guide colleagues on crafting campaigns, implementing strategy, and effectively communicating issues to specific audiences. The Sr. Director must understand Congressional and regulatory processes and be able to analyze complex legal, factual, and legislative concepts.

Execution and Communication

The Sr. Director will identify opportunities to build and expand strategic relationships with new champions for ZERO TO THREE. They will lead team members in representing the organization in coalitions and provide technical assistance to federal policymakers and staff. Additionally, they will collaborate with the communications team to draft materials like talking points, policy briefs, and congressional testimony.

The Sr. Director will work with team members to organize congressional briefings and other events designed to advance ZERO TO THREE’s federal priorities. They will keep the Chief Policy Officer and senior leadership informed about legislative issues, policy proposals, and external factors impacting infants and toddlers and their families.

Essential Skills & Experience

• Minimum of 10 years of relevant advocacy and policy experience, including work on Capitol Hill, government relations, or lobbying.
• Demonstrated advanced knowledge of federal and local advocacy and policy processes.
• Strong critical thinking, strategic planning, and problem-solving skills.
• Understanding of early childhood policy issues, including health, mental health, family support, or early learning.
• Strong interpersonal, management, and supervisory skills.
• Proven experience in strategy development and execution, with actionable plans around long- and short-term goals.
• Excellent communication skills for both oral and written presentations.
• Ability to travel, including occasional overnight stays.

Essential Qualities

• Encourages and practices critical thinking.
• Is self-reflective and empathic.
• Recognizes the influence of workplace relationships on outcomes and results.
• Maintains a respectful and accepting approach to others.
• Collaboratively supports colleagues at all levels of the organization.

Education

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

Compensation & Benefits

This position’s salary is estimated to be in the mid $130,000s to high $160,000s, depending on experience, geo-location, budget, and other factors. In addition to salary, ZERO TO THREE offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, HRA, retirement contributions, and generous leave benefits.

Physical Requirements

The employee may be required to sit for extended periods, perform repetitive motions, use a keyboard, and read from a computer screen. Vision abilities needed include close vision for data analysis and reading. May need to lift up to 30 pounds.

Working Conditions

Depending on the work location, the incumbent will typically work indoors in an office environment or a home setting. When traveling, they may be exposed to outside environmental conditions.

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

Application Information

Due to the high volume of applications, we are unable to provide individual feedback regarding application status. If selected to move forward, a member of the hiring team will contact you regarding next steps.