Director of Public Policy

WHO WE ARE:

The Children’s League of Massachusetts (CLM) is a statewide non-profit association of private and public organizations and individuals that collectively advocate for public policies and quality services that are in the best interest of the Commonwealth’s children, youth, and families. It is through public education and advocacy that CLM promotes the availability, accessibility, and quality of these needed services. We are committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in our workplace and in the priorities, we set with our members. As providers, consumers, advocates, purchasers, and regulators of services, CLM members know firsthand the issues facing today’s children and youth, as well as the challenges inherent in addressing them. During this time of major shifts in the delivery and funding of children, youth, and family services, CLM serves as a forum for the exchange of information and ideas among members, a vehicle for keeping the focus on the needs of children, youth, and their families, and a powerful source of common action. CLM works independently and in coalition around these critical areas to advance public policy in Massachusetts by developing and advocating for passage of needed legislation, analyzing the state budget and its effects on children and families, and promoting policy within the administration. CLM also works to educate both the public and policymakers about national trends and pressing state-wide issues regarding the child welfare system.

https://www.childrensleague.org/

WHAT YOU WILL DO:

The Director of Public Policy is responsible for managing the overall legislative, budget, and regulatory agenda including: researching positions that are consistent with CLM’s mission; planning and drafting legislation and regulations; formulating legislative priorities with the Executive Director; staffing CLM legislative task forces; and supporting work with the Executive Office of Health and Human Services and departments regarding budgetary, regulatory and legislative issues.

Essential Responsibilities:

Organizational Management

• Lead and organize CLM’s Taskforces (Currently: Transition Age Youth Coalition, Family Resource Center Taskforce, Intensive Foster Care Taskforce, Adoption Taskforce, Family Preservation Coalition). This includes: facilitating strategic planning for each group, informing members of new policy developments, and mobilizing members to raise and advance solutions for issues on their respective agendas.
• Support CLM members in developing and maintaining relationships with their legislators;
• Attend all Board of Director meetings and Member meetings, providing updates on public policy;
• Assist Executive Director in preparing lobbying reports bi-annually; and
• Recruit and manage public policy intern.

Advocacy

• Research emerging children’s policy that improves outcomes for children and families and develop new legislation for CLM;
• Manage legislative and regulatory advocacy that improves the child welfare system through service delivery including financial incentives, program rate settings and employment record checks;
• Work in collaboration with other trade associations and advocacy coalitions around CLM endorsed public policy issues; 
• Analyze the state budget around CLM priority line items, develop budget amendments, and work to support other initiatives CLM endorses;
• Prepare legislative analysis, summaries and talking points for CLM’s priority legislative bills;
• Manage hearing process: preparing panel speakers, drafting, and delivering testimony and any press material pertaining to the issue for the media; and
• Develop and maintain relationships with policy makers both in the Senate and the House of Representatives to determine and mobilize children’s issues champions.

Special Projects

• CLM Annual Day of Advocacy - Plan, organize, and manage, in coordination with the Executive Director for CLM’s Annual State House Advocacy Day;
• Work with the legislative committees to provide an informational hearing for new members at the start of the legislative session; and
• Any other projects as needed.

Other Responsibilities

Perform other duties as directed.

WHAT WILL ALLOW YOU TO EXCEL IN THIS POSITION:

• A Graduate degree is ideal, but may be substituted with a Bachelor’s degree with 7+ years work experience or in place of a degree, 10+ years of relevant experience;
• Minimum of 5 years work experience required in advocacy, government, non-profit or legal sector with a preference of child and family services policy or practice (Massachusetts-based experience strongly preferred);
• Demonstrated ability to develop public policy positions and materials;
• Strong skills in working with coalitions, CEOs, and senior level policy makers;
• Strong group facilitation skills with a demonstrated ability to achieve outcomes by finding consensus;
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team;
• Excellent oral and written communication skills;
• Ability to register as a lobbyist in MA and be in compliance with state ethics law regarding lobbying; and
• Access to reliable transportation and be able to travel to internal and external meetings and other events around the state not located on public transportation.

WHAT THIS POSITION OFFERS:

• Full-Time work, FSLA exempt
• Annual salary range of $60,000-$70,000, commensurate with experience
• Reports to the Executive Director
• A hybrid in-person/remote work schedule to be determined in coordination with the CLM team;
• Collaborative work environment committed to ensuring a safe workplace free from harassment or violence
• 503(B) retirement plan with organizational match up to 3%
• Health & Dental Insurance, covered at 75% for individuals & 33% for families
• Paid vacation, sick, and personal days
• Professional development investments

WHO SHOULD APPLY:

CLM is committed to hiring an individual with the right mix of experience (traditional and nontraditional), commitment to improving the lives of children and families, and the potential to grow with the organization. As an equal opportunity employer, CLM strongly encourages individuals from historically marginalized and oppressed communities or identities to apply. These include, but are not limited to: people of color, immigrants, women, individuals across the LGBTQ spectrum, and those with disabilities. CLM will make reasonable accommodations to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.

HOW TO APPLY

Submit a cover letter, resume, three references, and two writing samples (ex: legislative or regulatory testimony, letters to legislature, legislative summaries, action alerts or talking points) to Shayna Parker at Shayna@childrensleague.org. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.