VP, Advocacy and Strategic Partnerships

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in United States.

📋 Description

• Oversee the effective execution, institutionalization, and long-term sustainability of the International Youth Congress (IYC).

• Incorporate IYC recommendations and insights into organizational planning, policy formulation, program design, research, and ongoing quality enhancement.

• Prepare the organization for meaningful youth collaboration.

• Establish governance frameworks, feedback mechanisms, accountability structures, and decision-making pathways that amplify youth voices.

• Supervise the Youth Advocacy Program Manager.

• Administer the IYC budget and provide reports to the SVP of Advocacy and Strategic Partnerships.

• Coordinate the IYC Advisory Board and oversee the development of IYC curriculum.

• Manage vendors and consultants assisting with IYC capacity building and member leadership development.

• Create partnerships with organizations, experts, and stakeholders.

• Act as the primary contact for IYC site leads across the federation.

• Collaborate with Research and Impact to generate research and evaluation opportunities for IYC members.

• Function as an operational partner and strategic advisor to the SVP.

• Track advocacy, youth engagement, partnerships, prevention, and restoration initiatives, identifying risks, dependencies, challenges, and solutions.

• Align advocacy priorities with the Advocacy Team workplan.

• Develop systems and processes for accountability, follow-through, buy-in, and visibility.

• Monitor strategic objectives and key performance indicators, recommending actions to the SVP.

• Lead cross-functional planning involving Advocacy, Research & Impact, Development, Communications, IT, Programs, and site leadership.

• Assist senior leadership in decision-making through briefings, recommendations, environmental assessments, and strategic analyses.

• Facilitate leadership meetings, planning sessions, and implementation reviews.

• Aid in the execution of the International Advocacy Framework and the federation-wide advocacy agenda.

• Coordinate advocacy initiatives and keep track of policy opportunities, organizational responses, and advocacy results.

• Create policy briefings and recommendations on emerging topics.

• Provide legislative and regulatory analysis for federal, international, and regional opportunities.

• Liaise with policy and advocacy leaders addressing youth homelessness and child trafficking.

• Co-author blogs, white papers, policy briefs, and other thought leadership materials.

• Foster relationships with partner organizations and key decision-makers.

• Develop pathways for youth advocacy, including policy analysis, skills training, and Advocacy Week involvement.

• Deliver training and technical assistance to Covenant House sites.

• Oversee the collection of advocacy performance metrics.

⛳️ Requirements

• At least seven years of progressive leadership experience in advocacy, public policy, coalition building, youth development, systems change, nonprofit leadership, or related domains.

• Proven experience in youth work, demonstrating a professional progression from individual/case-level tasks to program management and leadership.

• Demonstrated success in leading complex, cross-functional initiatives from strategy to execution.

• Established ability to influence senior leaders and stakeholders without direct authority.

• Experience in developing and implementing operational plans and performance metrics.

• Prior experience managing direct reports.

• Exceptional project management skills with the ability to handle multiple initiatives simultaneously while delivering high-quality results on time.

• Strong political judgment and the ability to assess risk, timing, and stakeholder interests.

• Experience in change management.

• Proficient in relationship management across various levels, including CEOs, frontline staff, youth leaders, government officials, and community partners.

• Expertise in facilitation and convening.

• Data literacy for advocacy, policy analysis, and decision-making.

• Knowledge of public funding systems and nonprofit financing.

• Cultural humility and experience in intergenerational leadership.

• Comfort in ambiguous and entrepreneurial settings.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, Teams, Zoom, and project management tools.

• Spanish fluency is highly preferred.

• A graduate degree in public policy, social work, psychology, sociology, or a related field is preferred.

• Demonstrated experience in supporting policy implementation and/or advocacy initiatives at international and/or federal and national levels.

• Significant knowledge of at least one major social determinant of health policy domain.

• Familiarity with federal legislative and regulatory processes and implementation mechanics.

• Experience collaborating with nonprofits, public agencies, coalitions, or cross-sector partnerships.

• Experience navigating politically diverse environments and building bipartisan relationships.

• Willingness to travel up to 25%.

• Ability to travel to New York City, Washington D.C., and throughout the Covenant House federation as necessary.

🏝️ Benefits

• Fully remote work option outside of required travel.

• Opportunities for staff development and personal growth.

• Reasonable accommodations available, such as an ASL interpreter or alternative interview formats.

• Commitment to equal employment opportunities and a workplace free from discrimination and harassment.