Director of Advocacy and Policy

Children's Rights•New York, NY

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

Children’s Rights is seeking a Director of Advocacy and Policy to lead its multidisciplinary advocacy program. The Director sets advocacy priorities across the organization’s strategic areas and draws on lived expertise, research, data, litigation, and developments in the field to develop policy campaigns, mobilize communities and coalitions, shape messaging, and influence decision makers. The role oversees policy analysis, research, and written work, ensuring that these efforts advance Children’s Rights’ priorities. Racial justice is central to the position. The Director applies a historically grounded understanding of government control and forced separation of Black families, slavery, and institutional racism to advocacy priorities, campaigns, policy recommendations, and public engagement. The policy agenda spans state, federal, 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 and reports to the Executive Director, helping shape the organization’s strategic priorities and overall direction. The role collaborates closely with Litigation, Communications, and Development, supervises the Advocacy & Policy team, and coordinates the work of paralegals, policy interns, and fellows as applicable. The position 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.
Ability to build trust-based relationships with directly impacted communities, community organizations, advocates, and decision makers, 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.
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.
Advanced degree in social work, public policy, law, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.

Nice To Haves

Experience in other systems affecting children and families, such as juvenile legal, children’s mental and behavioral health, disability, immigration, or education systems.
Experience working closely with litigators or integrating advocacy with impact litigation.
Experience securing foundation or other philanthropic support for advocacy initiatives.

Responsibilities

Set and advance 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 trust-based partnerships with lived experts, community organizations, advocates, legislators, agency leaders, researchers, and funders.
Connect people, expertise, and resources in support of shared change.
Foster collaboration across areas of expertise and integrate advocacy with litigation, research, and other program work.
Help advance shared organizational goals through strategic coordination and partnership 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 with partners, identify policy windows and decision points, map influential people and institutions, and coordinate roles and action steps for campaigns.
Apply a racial justice and anti-discrimination lens across advocacy priorities, campaigns, policy recommendations, and public communications.
Advance policy agendas covering family integrity, community supports and health services, alternatives to institutional and carceral placement, and protections for children in child welfare, immigration, and juvenile legal custody.
Track policy, legislative, budget, administrative, and political developments and shifts in child welfare and related systems; translate field intelligence into timely, practical guidance and recommendations.
Engage lawmakers, agency leaders, decision makers, and, when relevant, international monitoring bodies through meetings, testimony, briefings, public comments, and other direct advocacy.
Work with the Communications Department to shape clear messages that explain complex issues, elevate community priorities, respond to changing narratives, and encourage action.
Oversee and contribute to reports, policy briefs, explainers, toolkits, articles, testimony, and other accessible and actionable written materials.
Provide strategic oversight of the team’s research, quantitative and qualitative analysis, and policy guidance; ensure research is rigorous, appropriately developed with lived experts, and informs 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.
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 coordinate the work of paralegals, policy interns, and fellows as applicable.
Set clear priorities, manage the department budget, and promote communication, collaboration, and accountability across the team.