Policy and Advocacy Director

Overview:

For over 30 years, SOWA has been supporting an equitable ecosystem of expanded learning programs for Washington’s youth by helping after-school, summer, and child care programs become more robust and accessible. Anchored in collaboration, we secure funding, advocate for the youth development sector, and provide tools and trainings to professionals who work with young people, ages 5 to 24. Our efforts benefit communities throughout the state by prioritizing youth most impacted by systemic inequity.

Position Summary:      

The Policy and Advocacy Director is a key leadership position at School’s Out Washington focused on driving policy change so that all Washington's children and youth, particularly those furthest from justice, have access to a robust ecosystem of high-quality expanded learning programs. This position will oversee our state and national policy change efforts and provide key leadership to the Youth Development Strategy Table (YDST), a statewide coalition administered by School’s Out Washington. This position also supports the development strategic relationships and partnerships with state agency partners, including the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI), the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF), and the Department of Commerce. The Policy and Advocacy Director will serve on the Leadership Team.

Reports to: Chief Executive Officer

Location: Remote from anywhere in Washington state, or from our King County office

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Coalition Leadership and Facilitation

• Working closely with the Policy and Advocacy Manager to mobilize support for the Youth Development Strategy Table’s advocacy priorities, including the establishment of a state agency home and grant program for youth development
• Lead all components of the Youth Development Strategy Table in collaboration with the Policy and Advocacy Manager and YDST Co-chairs, including overseeing strategic planning, member recruitment and mobilizing, meeting organization and facilitation, convening, and policy analysis for YDST
• Develop and maintain relationships with YDST members and other youth development providers across the state. Ensure diverse geographic engagement and strong BIPOC representation in the coalition’s membership and leadership, and equitable processes for input, feedback, and co-design are built into YDST structures and SOWA’s advocacy approach
• Work with YDST members to create and elevate opportunities across the state for youth voice in the development of the coalition’s policy priorities, messaging, and advocacy action

Policy and Advocacy Leadership

• Develop and implement an annual legislative agenda for SOWA with achievable policy goals to advance SOWA’s theory of change and strategic priorities, as well as the legislative priorities set by the YDST
• Advocate on the local, state and national level for policy, funding, and resources that advance the accessibility, equity, sustainability, and quality of school-age child care, expanded learning, and youth development programs across Washington state
• Develop and maintain relationships with government agency leaders and elected officials in support of SOWA’s partnerships and advocacy goals
• Convene meetings with allied education, equity, and youth-focused coalitions and participate in their policy efforts
• Serve as the primary liaison to the 50 State Afterschool Network and national technical assistance collaborative, and as the policy lead with the Afterschool Alliance and National Afterschool Association; Engage in collective learning and resource-sharing with national partners and peers
• Work with SOWA’s Communications team to develop and implement a comprehensive advocacy communications plan including the creation of a variety of communication tools to inform and educate program providers, policymakers, stakeholders and the community at-large about youth development and our advocacy aims
• Research, track, and analyze local, state, and federal policy and legislation as it pertains to youth development and expanded learning
• Keep abreast of emerging trends and research in expanded learning system-building, including resourcing the field, advancing equity within and through expanded learning opportunities, and Youth Program Quality initiatives across the country

Partnership Development

• Build and grow relationships with existing statewide partners, especially with leadership at the following state agencies: DCYF, OSPI, and the Dept. of Commerce, as well as with strategic statewide collaborators such as Child Care Aware, Stand for Children, and Mentor Washington
• Work to identify revenue opportunities for SOWA and YDST through partnerships and public funding strategies and proactively partner with SOWA’s Grants and Contracts Director and CEO to make connections and pursue funding opportunities
• Build and grow relationships with national partners including the Forum for Youth Investment, the 50 State Afterschool Network, and Every Hour Counts
• Represent SOWA at local, state, and national meetings, conferences and other community events
• Contribute to the design and delivery of systems-level content and system leader engagement at the annual Bridge Conference, focused on engaging system leaders and youth program providers in joint learning around the development of an equitable expanded learning ecosystem in Washington state.

Administrative Responsibilities

• Participate in the development of the SOWA annual budget
• Develop and oversee project budgets and grant reporting for policy and advocacy, systems building, and special initiatives
• Participate on the SOWA Leadership Team to support organization-wide strategy and decisions
• Personnel Management
• Provide direct supervision and support to the Policy and Advocacy Manager and SOWA’s contracted lobbyist
• Perform recruiting, hiring and onboarding for direct reports and contractors
• Coach and mentor direct reports to strengthen their leadership skills and provide culturally responsive conflict resolution and problem-solving strategies

Other Responsibilities

• Address racism, sexism, heterosexism and other discriminatory practices, including reflecting and addressing how racism and bias may appear in the context of your work with others
• Work toward racial equity through undoing institutional and structural racism, including active participation in organizational learning
• Serve as an ambassador for the organization, both formally and informally
• Perform other duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS AND COMPETENCIES:

• 7+ years of progressively senior experience in policy and advocacy, strategic planning and implementation, and/or partnership development in the education or youth development sector, including at least 2 years in a leadership capacity at a business or nonprofit organization 
• 2+ years of experience supervising staff and leading collaborative teams  
• Deep knowledge of equity and social justice principles and practices and experience working toward racial equity within organizations and community initiatives
• Direct knowledge and/or lived experience and connections to BIPOC communities strongly preferred
• Demonstrated experience building positive relationships and effective collaborations with local, state, and national stakeholders and partners
• Strong leadership skills in convening and communication with high level stakeholders of diverse backgrounds and opinions
• Direct experience with various forms of public policy efforts and a clear understanding of youth and education issues from a variety of perspectives
• Strong understanding of the legislative process, coalition strategy, and relationships of state agencies
• Ability to communicate policy and advocacy strategy in accessible ways to a variety of audiences
• Strategic and flexible thinker, with experience designing, implementing, and adapting tactics to meet strategic aims
• Excellent oral and written communication and public speaking skills
• Knowledge of the Washington State Quality Standards for Afterschool & Youth Development Programs and the Washington State Core Competencies for Child and Youth Development Professionals preferred
• Requires flexibility in time requirements/constraints; will require some early morning, evening, weekend meetings, including some statewide and national travel and limited overnight stays

SALARY, HOURS, AND BENEFITS 

 Full-time, 40 hours, Monday-Friday. Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) Classification: Exempt 

Hiring range: Pay band 29, $93,000-$111,000 based on relevant experience. Over time, the employee in this role may earn up to $130,000 per year with additional years of service.  

 Benefit package includes medical, dental, vision, long-term disability, retirement, and paid time off. 

 Our Equity Commitment: School’s Out Washington is an Equal Opportunity Employer. School’s Out Washington has a commitment to addressing racism, sexism, heterosexism, and other discriminatory practices and a commitment to working toward racial equity through undoing institutional and structural racism. People of Color and LGBTQ individuals are strongly encouraged to apply.