Director of Policy and Government Affairs

Year Up is seeking a Director of Policy and Government Affairs -Boston, MA to help lead Year Up’s policy and government affairs activities in the areas of workforce development and post-secondary completion (skills gap, talent pipelines, tax incentives for employers, economic mobility and social justice). Reporting to the Senior Director, Nest, this position will play an integral role in furthering Year Up’s Influence strategy, particularly as it relates to our policy, advocacy and government affairs work.
In order to be successful in this role, you will be someone who loves the challenge of managing multiple projects and carrying ideas from inception to completion. As someone responsible for communicating the Influence team’s work internally and externally, you will be skilled at tailoring your communication style for a variety of audiences. You won’t shy away from reaching out to others, building relationships and effectively communicating the mission of the Influence team and the organization as a whole. Whether staffing senior leaders or driving policy and advocacy efforts, you’ll have a successful track record of fostering movement for change and messaging mission statements to diverse populations.

The Director of Policy and Government Affairs -Boston, MA will also have the opportunity to interact with students as a mentor, group facilitator, and advocate, participating in building a positive educational environment.

We understand that people gain skills through a variety of professional, personal, educational, and volunteer experiences. We encourage candidates to review the key responsibilities and qualifications below. If you believe you have the transferable skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of this role, we encourage you to apply.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Policy & Advocacy Strategy & Execution

• Collaborate with colleagues, partners, and consultants to build on Year Up’s policy agenda, utilizing Year Up’s National Policy Principles, and aimed at expanding and strengthening the number of enterprising career pathways and addressing systemic barriers to sustainable careers
• Partner with and provide strategic consultation to coalitions and workgroups (e.g., OpportunityNation, America Forward) in the formulation of their state and federal policy agendas
• Work directly with Congressional and Executive branches to educate members and staffers on the issues that are central to Year Up’s policy agenda and are emerging through the efficacy of Year Up’s program, state networks and advocacy
• Conduct outreach and government affairs to state and local policy makers
• Establish new and shepherd existing strategic relationships with policy and research organizations, aligned with common goals and related interests
• Communicate effectively and professionally as a YU representative in public forums with colleagues from research, policy, and other relevant communities

Strategic Consultation & Outreach

• Serve as key support to Year Up executives in their engagement with policymakers and thought leaders
• Establish linkages between Year Up’s broader Influence work in perception and practice change with the policy agenda and help create opportunities that advance this work
• Partner with Year Up sites to develop local and state policy agendas, ensuring appropriate linkages between the federal policy agenda and any state or local policy agenda
• Play a leadership and thought partner role in helping Year Up’s Executive Directors’ formulate legislative strategy and agenda for state level policy and advocacy targets

Influence Team Member

• Manage budgets, timelines, work plans, and staff/consultants/interns as appropriate
• Manage multiple client and strategic partner relationships
• Develop strategies to help team members in their work focused on altering public perceptions, employer practices, and government policies, particularly at the direct service level of the organization, to understand the link between their daily activities and influence and systems change work
• Maintain and expand professional network of contacts in the field and help develop them into fruitful partnerships for Year Up

Site Team/Learning Community Member

• Serve as an coach/mentor for a small number of current students
• Join and sometimes facilitate weekly group sessions with students
• Participate in staff meetings and trainings

QUALIFICATIONS:

• At least 7-10 years professional experience in related fields
• Demonstrated experience in policy development, advocacy and government affairs.
• Ability to provide technical assistance and policy development support to state and local leaders
• Ability to conceptualize, plan and manage major complex projects and multiple initiatives simultaneously
• Strong organizational and time management skills with exceptional attention to detail
• Passion for the mission of Year Up and commitment to serving Opportunity Youth
• Understanding of the Opportunity Divide and its drivers
• Demonstrated experience working with diverse teams, embracing and engaging diverse groups of people and an understanding of the importance of cultural competency in these interactions
• Advanced degree in public policy, social sciences, law or education preferred

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS:

• Salary: Competitive and commensurate with education and experience
• Benefits: Competitive package including 100% healthcare coverage, dental, and 401(k) match
• Vacation: Three weeks paid vacation in first year of employment; four weeks after initial year
• Professional development: Funds available to support staff in achieving career objectives

ORGANIZATION DESCRIPTION:

Year Up is an award-winning national 501(c)3 organization striving to close the Opportunity Divide by providing young adults ages 18-24 with the skills, experience, and support that will empower them to reach their potential through professional careers and higher education. Through a one-year intensive program, Year Up utilizes a high support, high expectations model that combines hands-on technical and professional skills, educational stipends, college-level coursework, and corporate internships at more than 250 top companies.

Year Up currently serves young adults in Arizona, Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth, Jacksonville, Los Angeles, the National Capital Region, New York City, Philadelphia, Providence, Puget Sound, San Francisco Bay Area, South Florida, and Wilmington and will serve more than 3,000 students in 2017 nationwide.

Voted one of the Best Nonprofits to Work For in the country by The Non-Profit Times for six consecutive years, Year Up is a rewarding place to work. Our staff is passionate, supportive, mission-driven, and live by a set of core values that reflect an unshakable belief in the talent and full potential of our young people.

Year Up participates in E-Verify.

Please visit http://www.yearup.org/careers to learn more about working at Year Up, and to see a list of current opportunities.

COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY:

Year Up actively engages individuals from all backgrounds. We are committed to embracing diversity within our organization because we firmly believe that diverse employee teams help us to achieve our best organizational outcomes and provide the most effective support to our young adults as we work to close the Opportunity Divide. We are deeply dedicated to creating and maintaining an inclusive and supportive work environment. Learn more about our commitment to diversity: http://www.yearup.org/about-us/careers/commitment-to-diversity/

As an equal opportunity employer, Year Up is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified individuals and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age, marital status, veteran status, pregnancy, parental status, genetic information or characteristics, or any other basis prohibited by applicable law.

TO APPLY:

Please submit a thoughtful cover letter and resume through our website.

Note that applications without a cover letter will not be considered. We respectfully request no phone calls.