Public Policy and Advocacy Director

---

Public Policy and Advocacy DirectorTITLE:                            Public Policy and Advocacy Director
DEPARTMENT:             Online Strategy & Engagement
LOCATION:                   D.C. Office — 1101 Vermont Ave, NW, #400, Washington, DC 20005
HEADQUARTERS:       381 Park Avenue South, Suite 1401 New York, NY 10016-8806
OVERSEE TEAM OF:   2 FTEs, 1 part-time FTE, consultant(s)
REPORTS TO:              Executive Director

The Mission and Vision: The National Center for Learning Disabilities (NCLD) is a fast-paced, forward-thinking organization that is rapidly growing. We work to improve the lives of all people with learning difficulties and disabilities by empowering parents, enabling young adults, transforming schools, and creating policy and advocacy impact.  We envision a society in which every individual possesses the academic, social and emotional skills needed to succeed in school, at work and in life.  Over the next three years, NCLD will generate policy and advocacy impact by:

• Educating policymakers, federal agencies, the White House and others on education, career/workforce, social and emotional learning and other issues affecting children and adults with LD
• Leading knowledge-building initiatives to drive the policy debate and to build consensus around best practices to improve policy and practice
• Creating campaigns and conducting parent advocacy trainings and conferences
• Targeting selected states and districts to generate and support grassroots initiatives that will positively impact local and state policy

The PositionThe Public Policy and Advocacy Director will lead the development and implementation of a comprehensive public policy and advocacy strategy to improve the lives of all people with learning difficulties and disabilities. As a member of NCLD’s senior management team, the director will have responsibility for:

Executive and Team Management:

• Lead the public policy and advocacy team by providing proactive, strategic direction so the work advances the organization’s policy and advocacy goals
• Work collaboratively within NCLD and across teams so NCLD’s strategic plan, work plans and budgets are developed, aligned, and integrated to achieve measurable impact
• Oversee internal collaboration and integration of the work to help create online information, tools, campaigns and resources for parents, school leaders and young adults
• Support the Public Policy Committee of the Board Coach members of the team so they develop professionally while meeting the organization’s goals
• Oversee and manage key consultants, e.g., NCLD’s government relations counsel 
  
  

External Relations:

• Deliver results in legislation, regulations and other public affairs domains
• Serve as primary point of contact with Members of Congress, their staff, the White House and federal agencies
• Cultivate and implement collaborative and strategic partnerships at the federal and state/local level that raise the profile of the organization, strengthen the organization’s capacity to implement its strategic vision and create measurable impact
• Lead policy communications and public affairs planning with the NCLD team and consultants to advance NCLD’s agenda
• Serve as a public policy spokesperson for NCLD
  
  

The Person:

• Has passion for advocating for children with learning difficulties and disabilities
• Understands the public school system and how students eligible for special education are served
• Has a track record of delivering results in a fast-paced, high-performing organization
• Possesses keen awareness of and ability to understand complex issues, including the political process and climate
• Has exceptional writing and speaking abilities
• Demonstrates strong management and leadership skills, with proven success managing staff and consultants to achieve measurable goals
• Is able to adapt and be flexible when the circumstances and agenda demand it
• Demonstrates ability to manage people, oversee multiple processes, meet deadlines, develop and manage budgets, and achieve goals
  
  

The Qualifications:

• 10+ years of education policy experience (some special education policy preferred)
• Experience working for the U.S. Congress and/or extensive experience as a leader in education policy and government affairs
• Bachelor’s degree, with Master’s or law degree preferred
• Evidence of legislative savvy, Hill contacts and success (state, as well as federal, level advocacy/grassroots experience is a plus)
• 5-7 years of experience that shows adept use of staff and consulting resources, and/or equivalent experience on a nonprofit senior team
• Demonstrated excellence as a respectful and respected colleague in a team-based environment
• Experience working with external committees, workgroups, coalition-building.
  
  

Salary and benefits are highly competitive and commensurate with experience. Please provide a cover letter and resume to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Equal opportunity employer.