Early Childhood Investment Corporation
Director of External Affairs
Early Childhood Investment Corporation, Lansing, Michigan, United States, 48900
Overview
Position: Director of External Affairs
Location: Remote work based within 90 miles of Lansing, Michigan, with occasional travel across the state and nationally
Schedule: Monday – Friday with occasional evenings and weekends
Salary Range: $86,000 - $100,000
Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership: Lead and direct the development of an integrated strategy for policy, advocacy, and communications that advances ECIC’s mission, vision, and priorities; oversee and manage the Policy and Advocacy team and Communications team to ensure alignment with organizational goals; develop and retain high-performance team members through supervision, coaching, and leadership development; collaborate with ECIC leadership to align external affairs with the overall organizational strategy.
Policy and Advocacy: Monitor federal and state policy and budget opportunities and lead proactively with internal and external partners to advance ECIC’s policy and budget priorities; facilitate coalitions of early childhood advocates, policymakers, and community leaders to support policy change at the state and federal levels; develop strategies to strengthen relationships with government officials and partners; coordinate the development of policy materials such as talking points, legislative summaries, and advocacy toolkits; monitor program budgets and work plans with regular reporting and evaluation goals; contribute to grant proposals and other revenue-generating opportunities.
Communications Strategy and Branding: Oversee the development and implementation of a comprehensive communications strategy that positions ECIC as a leader in early childhood issues; manage branding, messaging, and digital presence; supervise creation of collateral materials, press releases, and public-facing content; serve as the primary contact for media engagement.
Partner Engagement: Cultivate relationships with policymakers, coalition members, media outlets, and community leaders; represent ECIC at public events, town halls, and forums; collaborate with internal and external partners to amplify ECIC’s impact and share its successes.
Requirements, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Bachelor’s degree in public policy, public administration, political science, or related field.
Minimum of 7 years of experience in policy, advocacy, external affairs, or a related role with leadership experience required.
Demonstrated success in managing large-scale projects, grants, or campaigns.
Knowledge of early childhood policy issues, including federal early childhood funding streams and policies, the state legislative process, grassroots and grasstops advocacy strategies.
Excellent advocacy, consensus-building, coalition-building, and leadership skills; ability to work collegially and collaboratively with diverse staff and organizations; ability to work with groups across the political spectrum.
Knowledge of media relations, digital communications, brand management, and reputation management best practices.
Ability to serve as public spokesperson and advocate for the organization; ability to translate policy and legal concepts for diverse audiences including policymakers, media, funders, and families.
Understanding of and commitment to social change through empowering low-income people and people of color to influence public policies.
Ability to work in partnership with and alongside parent leaders, especially those from low-wealth households.
Strong relationship-building skills with diverse audiences, including public officials, coalition partners, community leaders, and media.
Effective group facilitation and meeting management skills.
Proficient in Microsoft Office, Adobe, and web-based applications.
Possession of a valid driver’s license and means to travel throughout Michigan and nationally, including periodic overnight travel.
Physical Requirements Talking, hearing, standing, visual acuity, and office setting requirements as described for typical sedentary work; occasional lifting up to 10 pounds.
Early Childhood Investment Corporation provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment.
Seniority level
Director
Employment type
Full-time
Job function
Other
Industries
Education Administration Programs
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Location: Remote work based within 90 miles of Lansing, Michigan, with occasional travel across the state and nationally
Schedule: Monday – Friday with occasional evenings and weekends
Salary Range: $86,000 - $100,000
Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership: Lead and direct the development of an integrated strategy for policy, advocacy, and communications that advances ECIC’s mission, vision, and priorities; oversee and manage the Policy and Advocacy team and Communications team to ensure alignment with organizational goals; develop and retain high-performance team members through supervision, coaching, and leadership development; collaborate with ECIC leadership to align external affairs with the overall organizational strategy.
Policy and Advocacy: Monitor federal and state policy and budget opportunities and lead proactively with internal and external partners to advance ECIC’s policy and budget priorities; facilitate coalitions of early childhood advocates, policymakers, and community leaders to support policy change at the state and federal levels; develop strategies to strengthen relationships with government officials and partners; coordinate the development of policy materials such as talking points, legislative summaries, and advocacy toolkits; monitor program budgets and work plans with regular reporting and evaluation goals; contribute to grant proposals and other revenue-generating opportunities.
Communications Strategy and Branding: Oversee the development and implementation of a comprehensive communications strategy that positions ECIC as a leader in early childhood issues; manage branding, messaging, and digital presence; supervise creation of collateral materials, press releases, and public-facing content; serve as the primary contact for media engagement.
Partner Engagement: Cultivate relationships with policymakers, coalition members, media outlets, and community leaders; represent ECIC at public events, town halls, and forums; collaborate with internal and external partners to amplify ECIC’s impact and share its successes.
Requirements, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Bachelor’s degree in public policy, public administration, political science, or related field.
Minimum of 7 years of experience in policy, advocacy, external affairs, or a related role with leadership experience required.
Demonstrated success in managing large-scale projects, grants, or campaigns.
Knowledge of early childhood policy issues, including federal early childhood funding streams and policies, the state legislative process, grassroots and grasstops advocacy strategies.
Excellent advocacy, consensus-building, coalition-building, and leadership skills; ability to work collegially and collaboratively with diverse staff and organizations; ability to work with groups across the political spectrum.
Knowledge of media relations, digital communications, brand management, and reputation management best practices.
Ability to serve as public spokesperson and advocate for the organization; ability to translate policy and legal concepts for diverse audiences including policymakers, media, funders, and families.
Understanding of and commitment to social change through empowering low-income people and people of color to influence public policies.
Ability to work in partnership with and alongside parent leaders, especially those from low-wealth households.
Strong relationship-building skills with diverse audiences, including public officials, coalition partners, community leaders, and media.
Effective group facilitation and meeting management skills.
Proficient in Microsoft Office, Adobe, and web-based applications.
Possession of a valid driver’s license and means to travel throughout Michigan and nationally, including periodic overnight travel.
Physical Requirements Talking, hearing, standing, visual acuity, and office setting requirements as described for typical sedentary work; occasional lifting up to 10 pounds.
Early Childhood Investment Corporation provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment.
Seniority level
Director
Employment type
Full-time
Job function
Other
Industries
Education Administration Programs
Referrals increase your chances of interviewing at Early Childhood Investment Corporation. Get notified about new Director of External Affairs jobs in Lansing, MI.
We’re unlocking community knowledge in a new way. Experts add insights directly into each article, started with the help of AI.
#J-18808-Ljbffr