Head, Save the Children Action Network (SCAN)

Save the Children 2022 • Washington, DC

14d • Hybrid

About The Position

Save the Children Action Network (SCAN) is the political advocacy arm of Save the Children, a 501(c)(4) organization. SCAN is dedicated to building bipartisan support for policies that ensure every child has a strong start in life. This includes advocating for high-quality early learning, ending child hunger in the U.S., ensuring the safety of children at the southern U.S. border, and educating and protecting children globally. As the Head of SCAN, you will provide strategic, operational, and managerial leadership to this U.S.-based grassroots advocacy and political engagement arm. You will lead the development and execution of SCAN’s grassroots organizing and campaign strategy, including state legislative, electoral, and federal advocacy efforts. This role involves overseeing strategy, operations, and state organizing teams, driving organizational performance, and ensuring integration with other Save the Children divisions. You will also serve as the principal liaison with SCAN’s Board of Directors, advancing SCAN’s role as a political and advocacy powerhouse by mobilizing citizens, influencing decision-makers, and driving policy change for children in the U.S. and globally. This position requires an innovative leader with political acumen, campaign and Capitol Hill experience, and a proven ability to manage complex teams, partnerships, and political/advocacy campaigns.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.
• At least 15 years of progressively responsible experience in advocacy, political strategy, campaign leadership, or related fields.
• Proven experience in c3 and c4 donor cultivation and strategy.
• Demonstrated ability to lead complex teams, build partnerships, and deliver measurable advocacy outcomes.
• Deep understanding of U.S. political systems, grassroots mobilization, electoral campaigning efforts, and policy influence.
• Strong experience bridging programmatic, fundraising, and marketing functions.
• Exceptional relationship management and communication skills.
• Professional proficiency in MS Office suite.
• Professional proficiency in spoken and written English.

Nice To Haves

• Capitol Hill experience.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic, operational, and managerial leadership to SCAN.
• Lead the development and execution of SCAN’s grassroots organizing and campaign strategy, including state legislative, electoral, and federal advocacy and campaigning efforts.
• Oversee strategy, operations, and state organizing teams.
• Drive organizational performance.
• Ensure integration across Save the Children’s other divisions, including Impact & Evidence (I&E), Policy & Advocacy, and Marketing & Growth (M&G).
• Serve as the principal liaison with SCAN’s Board of Directors.
• Advance SCAN’s role as a dynamic, externally facing political and advocacy powerhouse.
• Mobilize citizens, influence decision-makers, and drive tangible policy change for children in the U.S. and globally.
• Partner with executive leadership to guide SCAN’s strategic direction and execution, ensuring cohesion with enterprise policy.
• Further position SCAN as a leading bipartisan political force advancing children’s well-being in the US and abroad.
• Lead power mapping efforts across priority states, assessing political, legislative, and electoral dynamics to guide SCAN’s state footprint.
• Oversee coordinated state legislative strategies and inform electoral power mapping that advances long-term advocacy influence.
• Partner closely with programmatic colleagues to align SCAN’s state presence with broader organizational programming.
• Leverage SCAN’s state-based grassroots advocates to advance the organization’s federal policy priorities.
• Supervise and lead a large multidisciplinary team.
• Oversee day-to-day SCAN operations, including strategic and operational planning, budget oversight, compliance, and performance management.
• Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, and inclusion across SCAN and SCUS functions.
• Ensure SCAN’s staffing and structure are aligned with organizational priorities and evolving needs.
• Co-manage a portfolio of high-value donors with the fundraising team.
• Represent SCAN in donor meetings and fundraising strategy sessions with M&G.
• Develop a talent and thought leadership strategy to advance SCAN’s strategy.
• Translate program strategies and impact stories into compelling donor-facing narratives.
• Serve as a spokesperson for SCAN with policymakers, coalitions, donors, advocacy networks, and media.
• Build strategic partnerships to expand SCAN’s reach and influence at state and national levels.
• Elevate SCAN’s role as a convener and thought leader within the advocacy ecosystem.
• Align strategy, messaging, and execution across SCUS divisions.
• Ground advocacy in evidence and research, and integrate advocacy into public engagement and fundraising campaigns.
• Ensure integrated planning, shared accountability, and cohesive execution of advocacy and programmatic strategies across states.
• Ensure SCAN’s work is fully aligned with SCUS organizational priorities and messaging.
• Ensure SCAN’s operations fully comply with 501(c)(4) governance and political engagement laws.
• Oversee the management of SCAN’s board of directors.
• Manage relationships with political advisors, vendors, and consultants.

Benefits

• Flexible schedules
• Generous PTO
• 11 paid holidays plus 2 floating holidays
• Hybrid working opportunities
• Competitive health care, dental and vision coverage for you and your family
• Caregiver leave
• Parental/adoption leave
• Critical child illness leave
• Fertility benefits
• Annual merit increases and/or additional incentives for eligible employees
• Retirement savings plan with employer contributions (after one year)
• 15 safety and wellness days annually (if hired on or after July 1, safety and wellness days prorated to 8 days)
• Mental health benefits and support through Calm and company-hosted events
• Free and confidential assessments, short-term counseling, referrals, and follow-up services through Employee Assistance Program
• Access to internal and external learning & development opportunities and mentorships

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive