SR. DIRECTOR OF GOVERNMENT AND ADVOCACY

Position Summary:

Responsible for developing relationships and engaging with key government and advocacy stakeholders in pursuit of legal and policy change, regulatory action, and fostering public/private partnerships in child welfare and family strengthening. Works to execute Lifeline’s ministry strategy as it relates to the U.S. Government, various state and local governments, and other international government bodies, adapting the strategy and work as needed over time while preserving an unwavering commitment to the gospel of Jesus Christ and to the central role of the local church in proffering the gospel.

Essential Duties:

• To be a minister of the gospel of Jesus Christ to co-workers, clients and ministry partners

• Cultivate relationships and engage with key policymakers and multiple advocacy communities at the U.S. government (USG) and at the state level across Lifeline’s licensed states.
• Work with the VP of Church & Government Relations to develop and deploy annual budget
• Advocate and lobby to advance strategic priorities of Lifeline and key partners at the state and national level
• Serve as a policy voice within Lifeline, advising on policy matters – and act as a leader with a point of view in the broader policy field, engaging with high-level forums as needed
• Engage closely with Lifeline’s programmatic teams to identify and support shared policy objectives as well as opportunities to maximize impact
• Engage with Lifeline’s legal counsel and strategic partners (e.g. ADF, First Liberty Institute, Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, ERLC, and etc.) to maintain and improve internal systems and external relationships to protect Lifeline’s right to function according to our consistent, closely-held faith convictions.

Secondary Duties & Responsibilities:

• Maintains good working relationships with staff and leadership, including solving all disputes in a Biblically prescribed fashion.
• Represents the ministry in a professional manner in and away from the office.
• Assists in ministry-related events, including the annual retreat, banquet, and anniversary celebrations
• Other duties as assigned by the Executive Team.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree
• Proven experience in advancing policy priorities with U.S. government (USG) and various state governments, with an emphasis on adoption, foster care, family preservation, and religious liberty.
• Significant government relations experience and robust network within USG executive and/or legislative branches
• Federal legislative or executive branch experience
• Ability to effectively work in and with coalitions, serving as a convener and network builder
• Ability to organize convenings in collaboration with external partners, including the USG and state government entities
• Familiarity with legal and regulatory frameworks regarding advocacy and lobbying by tax-exempt organizations

Key Competencies:

• Adheres to the Employee Statement and the Statement of Faith.
• Integrity, credibility, and commitment to Christian values and beliefs
• Commitment to Lifeline’s mission and values is a must, with a perspective on how to apply these principles in our internal and external work
• Ability to engage effectively across multiple bodies of work while adapting and pivoting as circumstances require
• Ability to think strategically and creatively, to both plan and prioritize for maximum gospel impact
• Comfort working and making progress in highly complex and often ambiguous environments
• Excellent communications (verbal and written) and project management skills
• Dedication to bringing people together, and building networks comprised of partners with a commitment to serving vulnerable children and families with gospel-centered convictions
• Commitment to working with and cultivating leadership across political parties in order to advance Lifeline’s policy objectives
• Desire to learn and share lessons across Lifeline’s entire team
• Strong work ethic and outstanding professional ethics
• A high degree of integrity, discretion, and good judgment.

Work Environment:

• This position operates in a remote office environment with frequent travel.

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For More Information, Visit: lifelinechild.org/job-listing/sr-director-of-government-policy-advocacy/