National Director Public Affairs

Job Description

Job DescriptionNational Director, Public Affairs & Policy Strategy

Are you a strategic leader who understands how policy, narrative, and communications shape movements? Do you believe child well-being and racial equity must sit at the center of public policy?

Our client is seeking a National Director to lead an enterprise-wide strategy across policy advocacy, strategic communications, and thought leadership for a mission-driven, national social impact organization focused on children, youth, and families.

This executive-level role will shape long-term public affairs strategy, guide national policy positioning, and oversee high-performing policy and communications teams. The National Director will serve as a key strategic partner to senior leadership and help drive a bold, multi-year agenda rooted in equity, community voice, and measurable impact.

What You’ll Lead

Strategic Leadership

• Set national public affairs narrative, brand positioning, and policy strategy in partnership with executive leadership
  

• Lead cross-functional teams toward ambitious federal and state policy goals
  

• Translate organizational priorities into annual workplans with clear metrics and milestones
  

• Align communications strategy with organizing, direct service, and public engagement efforts
  

• Oversee departmental budgeting, performance management, and team development
  

Policy & Narrative Strategy

• Direct development and implementation of national public policy and advocacy strategies
  

• Shape values-centered narratives that mobilize diverse constituencies
  

• Oversee unified communications and marketing plans across platforms
  

• Track political, demographic, and economic shifts to inform strategy
  

• Guide research partnerships and major policy publications
  

• Build and steward coalitions with aligned partners and stakeholders
  

Program Oversight & Impact

• Establish performance metrics and accountability systems
  

• Lead grant sourcing and funding alignment for policy initiatives
  

• Support campaign planning, coalition recruitment, and execution
  

• Monitor emerging stakeholder needs and adjust strategy accordingly
  

RequirementsWhat You Bring

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree in Public Policy, Public Administration, Social Work, or related field preferred
  

• 10+ years of relevant experience in public policy, communications, advocacy, or politics
  

• 6–8 years of senior leadership experience managing high-performing teams
  

• Demonstrated success leading state or national-level policy or campaign initiatives
  

• Strong understanding of nonprofit strategy, budgeting, and organizational operations
  

• Expertise in policy analysis, coalition-building, racial equity, or child/family-focused advocacy
  

Preferred Experience

• Proven campaign development and execution
  

• Experience leading narrative strategy or major policy reports from concept to publication
  

• Established relationships with national policy leaders and aligned institutions
  

• Comfort representing organizations in mainstream, community, and digital medCore Competencies
  

• Strategic leadership in high-stakes environments
  

• Deep commitment to racial equity and community-centered decision-making
  

• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills
  

• Strong coalition-building and consensus-building ability
  

• Analytical thinker with the ability to translate data into action
  

• High ethical standards and servant-leader mindset