Director of Advocacy and Policy

Children's Rights•New York, NY

2d•$165,000 - $185,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Children’s Rights seeks a Director of Advocacy and Policy to lead its multidisciplinary advocacy program, which brings together policy analysts, researchers, data specialists, and people with lived expertise. The Director sets advocacy priorities aligned with the organization’s strategic priorities and uses lived expertise, research, data, litigation, and developments in the field to develop policy campaigns, mobilize communities and coalitions, shape messaging, and influence decisionmakers. The Director oversees policy analysis, research, and written work and ensures these efforts advance Children’s Rights’ strategic objectives. Racial justice is central to the role. The Director is expected to understand the history of government control and forced separation of Black families, rooted in slavery and institutional racism, and the continued disproportionate surveillance, investigation, and separation of Black families by child welfare systems. The role applies this analysis to advocacy priorities, campaigns, policy recommendations, and public engagement. The policy agenda spans multiple states, the federal level, and international forums, and includes family integrity, children’s health, the rights of children in government custody, and efforts to combat discriminatory policies and practices. The Director is a member of the Executive Leadership Team, reports to the Executive Director, and helps shape the organization’s strategic priorities and overall direction. The Director works closely with the Litigation, Communications, and Development departments. The position supervises three Advocacy & Policy staff and coordinates the work of paralegals, policy interns, and fellows, as applicable. The role is based in New York City in a hybrid arrangement; candidates based in Washington, D.C. will also be considered. Travel is required.

Requirements

At least 10 years of progressively responsible experience in advocacy, policy, community engagement, legislative drafting and advocacy, or related work.
Substantial experience in child welfare policy, advocacy, or practice.
Demonstrated commitment to racial justice and a historically grounded understanding of how slavery and institutional racism shaped government control and separation of Black families, with the ability to apply this analysis to advocacy priorities, strategies, and policy recommendations.
Demonstrated ability to build trust-based relationships with directly impacted communities, community organizations, advocates, and decisionmakers, and to work in genuine partnership with lived experts.
Experience developing policy campaigns and advocacy strategies, building and leading coalitions, engaging communities, coordinating partners, and working directly with legislators, public officials, or institutions.
Experience working closely with litigators or integrating advocacy with impact litigation.
Advanced degree in social work, public policy, law, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
Excellent oral and written communication skills, including the ability to explain complex issues clearly, adapt messages to different audiences, and serve as a credible public representative and national spokesperson.
Strong relationship-building, organizational, project management, and coalition-facilitation skills, with sound judgment in identifying priorities and opportunities.
Demonstrated ability to supervise, mentor, and develop staff and promote clear communication, collaboration, and accountability.
Ability to oversee and use qualitative and quantitative research, data, and community knowledge to inform strategy and support persuasive advocacy.

Nice To Haves

Experience in systems affecting children and families beyond child welfare, such as juvenile legal, children’s mental and behavioral health, disability, immigration, or education systems.
Experience securing foundation or other philanthropic support for advocacy initiatives.

Responsibilities

Set and advance a focused portfolio of federal, state, and local advocacy priorities with the Executive Director and Advocacy & Policy team, grounded in organizational objectives and the needs and perspectives of affected children, families, and communities.
Build and sustain strategic, trust-based partnerships with lived experts, community organizations, advocates, legislators, agency leaders, researchers, and funders.
Foster collaboration across areas of expertise and integrate advocacy with litigation, research, and other program work; help advance shared organizational goals as a member of the Executive Leadership Team.
Develop and lead policy campaigns and coalitions at federal, state, and local levels and, when relevant, in international forums; set shared goals, identify policy windows and decision points, map influential people and institutions, and coordinate roles and action steps.
Apply a racial justice and anti-discrimination lens across advocacy priorities, campaigns, policy recommendations, and public communications, including attention to the history and current effects of government control and forced separation of Black families.
Advance policy agendas across strategic priorities, including family-preserving front-end reforms, economic, social, and community supports, community-based health services, alternatives to institutional and carceral placement, and stronger protections for children in government custody.
Track policy, legislative, budget, and administrative developments, political conditions, and changes in child welfare and related systems; translate findings into timely guidance and recommendations for leaders, staff, and partners.
Engage lawmakers, agency leaders, and other decisionmakers through meetings, testimony, briefings, public comments, and other direct advocacy, including engagement with international monitoring bodies when relevant.
Work with the Communications Department to shape clear, compelling messages that explain complex issues, elevate community priorities, respond to changing narratives, and move audiences toward action.
Oversee and contribute to reports, policy briefs, explainers, toolkits, articles, testimony, and other written materials that make complex laws, policies, and research accessible and actionable.
Provide strategic oversight of the team’s research, quantitative and qualitative analysis, and policy guidance; ensure research is rigorous, developed with lived experts where appropriate, and used to inform advocacy strategy and recommendations.
Serve as a national spokesperson and thought leader, presenting Children’s Rights’ work to policymakers, media, partners, communities, and public audiences at conferences, town halls, and other convenings.
Partner with the Executive Director and Chief Development Officer to secure philanthropic support for advocacy initiatives and sustain funder relationships.
Supervise, mentor, and support the professional development of the Advocacy & Policy team, including three policy staff and paralegals; set priorities, manage the department budget, and promote communication, collaboration, and accountability.