Senior Manager, Federal Policy

SchoolHouse Connection•Washington, DC

3d•$85,000 - $105,000•Remote

About The Position

The Senior Manager, Federal Policy leads the day-to-day execution and helps shape SchoolHouse Connection’s federal policy agenda for children, youth, and families experiencing homelessness. In collaboration with the Executive Director, the role develops and advances federal policy strategies across early childhood, K-12 education, higher education, and related housing and homelessness policies, working through congressional and administrative channels. The position monitors federal developments, cultivates bipartisan policymaker relationships, leads campaigns on priority legislation and appropriations, and represents SHC in relevant coalitions and policy settings. The role also translates complex federal policy into clear and persuasive communications and advocacy tools for policymakers, partners, and SHC’s network. It connects practitioners and young people with federal policymakers, ensuring advocacy reflects local conditions and lived experience. Internally, the Senior Manager collaborates with SHC’s program, state policy, research and evaluation, and communications teams to align strategies and advance policy priorities. This is a full-time remote position for someone in the Washington, DC metropolitan area, with regular in-person meetings on Capitol Hill and approximately 3–5 trips per year. The position reports directly to the Executive Director. Salary is $105,000–$120,000.

Requirements

At least 7 years of experience in federal public policy, including substantial experience working with Congress and congressional staff.
Strong knowledge of federal legislative, administrative, and regulatory processes.
Substantial knowledge of federal education policy, with the ability to quickly develop expertise across SHC’s priorities from early childhood through higher education.
Demonstrated experience writing clear, persuasive policy and advocacy materials for varied audiences.
Experience building bipartisan relationships and working effectively with policymakers, partners, and stakeholders across a wide range of viewpoints.
Strong strategic thinking, including the ability to identify creative pathways in changing or difficult policy environments.
Excellent bipartisan relationship-building skills and diplomatic judgment.
Exceptional written and verbal communication skills: precise, clear, accurate, and persuasive.
Ability to recognize emerging opportunities and translate policy analysis into timely, effective action.
Strong project management and organizational skills, including the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines at once.
High standards, strong initiative, close attention to detail, and the ability to work independently while collaborating closely with others.
Ability to motivate and engage others in advancing SHC’s policy goals.

Nice To Haves

Direct experience working on Capitol Hill is strongly preferred.
Knowledge of federal housing and homelessness policies is a plus.

Responsibilities

In collaboration with the Executive Director, shape SHC’s federal policy strategy across early childhood, K-12 education, higher education, and related housing and homelessness policies, and lead its execution across congressional and administrative channels.
Lead SHC’s campaigns on priority federal legislation and annual appropriations.
Identify opportunities to advance SHC’s federal policy agenda, including cultivating legislative and policy champions and strategies for engaging them.
Monitor and analyze federal legislation, regulations, and administrative actions related to the early care, education, and well-being of children and youth experiencing homelessness.
Build and maintain strong bipartisan relationships with congressional staff, executive branch officials, and other federal policymakers.
Track and document SHC’s interactions with policymakers and federal agency staff.
Represent SHC in coalitions, policy meetings, advocacy trainings, and conferences relevant to federal policy.
Translate complex federal policy issues into clear, accurate, and compelling messages for policymakers, partners, and SHC’s broader network.
Write issue briefs, public comments, position papers, talking points, action alerts, newsletter articles, blogs, and other policy and advocacy materials for a range of audiences.
Shape advocacy materials and strategies that inform, mobilize, and engage SHC’s network and partners.
Work with SHC practitioner networks to ensure advocacy reflects local community conditions and the experiences of children, youth, and families experiencing homelessness.
Organize and connect members of SHC’s network directly to federal policymakers through virtual and in-person meetings.
Stay informed about emerging state and local developments and trends in education, early care, housing, homelessness, and related policy areas.
Position SHC to respond effectively to emerging issues, shifting policy landscapes, and new opportunities.
Collaborate with SHC’s early childhood, K-12, higher education, and Youth Leadership & Scholarship teams to inform federal advocacy with practitioner expertise and lived experience, and create opportunities for youth to engage directly with policymakers.
Partner with SHC’s state policy, research and evaluation, and communications teams to align advocacy strategies, incorporate emerging research and policy developments, and leverage media and public messaging to advance federal policy priorities.

Benefits

Health insurance reimbursement through a Qualified Small Employer Health Reimbursement Arrangement (QSEHRA), including an annual allowance for qualifying healthcare expenses.
Paid time off, including 12 vacation days, 3 personal days, and 10 sick days annually; vacation allocations increase after three, six, and ten years of service.
Two-week paid year-end closure, separate from regular vacation and other paid leave.
Paid holidays, including federal holidays, the day after Thanksgiving, and up to two additional paid days for religious observances.
Up to 12 weeks per year of paid family and medical leave with 100% wage replacement for qualifying employees.
403(b) retirement plan with an employer contribution equal to 3% of annual salary, no employee contribution required, and full vesting after 90 days.
$1,000 per year reimbursement for work-related technology expenses and a one-time $500 reimbursement for personally purchased work-related equipment.
Work from home.
Flexible schedule.
Professional growth opportunities.