Director of Government Relations

Job Summary:

The Council for Professional Recognition promotes improved performance and recognition of professionals in the early childhood education of children ages birth to 5 years old. The Council works to ensure that all professional early childhood educators and caregivers meet the developmental, emotional, and educational needs of our nation’s youngest children. The Council for Professional Recognition is seeking a new team leader as the Director of Government Relations.

The Director of Government Relations is responsible for managing and advancing federal, state and local legislative, regulatory, and advocacy initiatives in support of the Council for Professional Recognition’s (CFPR) national legislative agenda. This position focuses on developing and executing strategies that promote public policies aligning with the organization’s goals at the local, state, and federal levels. Key responsibilities include advocating on public policy and regulatory issues that impact the CFPR, both directly and through partnerships with external organizations. The Director will represent CFPR before government officials, community organizations, and regulatory bodies. The Director, Government Relations must have a deep understanding of education policy issues, legislative and regulatory processes, and governmental relations along with effective communication, strategic planning, and negotiation skills. This role is tasked with managing legislative agendas and advocacy efforts across multiple states, creating state-specific materials to support these efforts, and regularly briefing stakeholders on policy matters.

In addition to overseeing the organization’s policy and advocacy strategies, the Director will lead a team of internal and external staff, ensuring key public policy objectives are met. This role also involves monitoring, forecasting, and analyzing public policy issues, developing advocacy strategies in collaboration with external organizations, and fostering relationships with key stakeholders. The Director will lead a Policy Committee to guide advocacy efforts and report on the team’s performance against key performance indicators (KPIs). This role requires a deep understanding of CFPR’s strategic plan and business priorities to ensure alignment with legislative agendas and policy initiatives across various states.

Job Responsibilities:

• Develop and execute legislative state strategies to advance public policy supporting the CFPR legislative agenda.

• Advocate on public policy and regulatory issues impacting the organization at local, state, and federal levels.

• Represent CFPR before community organizations, government officials, and regulatory bodies.

• Assess the CFPR strategic plan and business priorities to advise the legislative agenda.

• Manage and direct a team to ensure the organization’s public policy objectives are achieved.

• Travel: Approximately 25-30%

Key Characteristics and Qualifications:

Education: Bachelor’s degree in education, Communications, Political Science, Business, or a related field (master’s degree preferred).

Experience: Minimum of 10 years in government affairs, policy analysis, lobbying, or related fields; 5 years in team management; expertise in education policy, especially early childhood education.

Characteristics: Strong leadership, communication, and collaborative skills; ability to analyze complex legislative language; commitment to quality, confidentiality, and professionalism; exceptional interpersonal skills; proactive and innovative thinker.

Salary:

The posted range for this role is $133,000-$144,000 (This role is budgeted not to exceed $144,000)