Head, Government Relations (E1)

Build Your Future, Brighten Theirs

At Save the Children, you’ll join a century‑long legacy of leading meaningful impact when it matters most. We empower you to innovate, collaborate and grow alongside people who share your commitment to kids and each other. You bring the drive – and together, we’ll build a better world for children. 

As Head of Government Relations and Policy for Save the Children U.S. (SCUS), this position sets and leads SCUS's federal policy strategy across international and domestic issues, advancing legislative, appropriations, and policy priorities with Congress and the Administration. The position reports to the Chief Policy, Advocacy & Campaigns Officer.

The Head leads three policy teams spanning global development, humanitarian, and domestic policy, and is accountable for measurable results through congressional and executive action. As a member of the Policy, Advocacy & Campaigns (PAC) senior leadership team, the Head ensures federal strategy is aligned with Save the Children Action Network’s (SCAN) state and federal work, and coordinates with teams across the enterprise that engage the federal government so that SCUS speaks with one voice to shared stakeholders. The position represents Save the Children with U.S. government stakeholders, coalitions, and peer organizations, and contributes to Save the Children federation policy and advocacy work as directed by the Chief.

Hybrid – Washington DC office locations

• →Set SCUS's federal policy agenda and lead three policy teams (global development, humanitarian, and domestic) in developing and carrying out integrated strategies that deliver policy change that improves outcomes for children in the U.S. and around the world.
• →Develop multi-year strategies and annual plans to achieve legislative, appropriations, and executive action consistent with Save the Children's mission, values, and enterprise goals.
• →Oversee a U.S. government engagement strategy that uses creative, multi-channel advocacy to maximize influence with key decision-makers, including:
  • →building and sustaining bipartisan congressional champions;
  • →engaging the Executive Branch to influence executive action in U.S. and multilateral spaces;
  • →and using the CEO, senior leaders, trustees, and influencers strategically for high-level engagement.
• →Ensure effective participation in coalitions and working groups, and strong coordination with key external partners.
• →Work with the media and communications teams on communications strategies that advance policy priorities and raise the visibility of these issues.

• Lead, coach, and develop department staff, including policy team managers. Establish effective performance management and professional development plans.
• Foster and sustain a strong, collaborative team culture rooted in Save the Children's mission.
• Help staff take on greater responsibility, achieve career development goals, and understand how their work links to the enterprise strategy and annual plans.
• Ensure compliance with federal lobbying laws, SCUS lobbying policies, and other documents.
• Develop, implement, and manage the annual Government Relations department budget. Work with department managers and cross divisionally to manage grants and support policy and advocacy fundraising efforts.  

• Lead collaboration with teams across the enterprise that engage the federal government, to ensure aligned and complementary federal engagement strategies.
• Maintain strong information flows with Impact & Evidence division leadership so that program evidence and learning drive policy recommendations.
• As a member of the PAC senior leadership team, partner with the Head of SCAN to make sure state and federal advocacy strategies are aligned and mutually reinforcing. Identify where SCAN's grassroots organizing and digital campaigns can best advance shared federal priorities, adhering to all 501(c)(3)/501(c)(4) compliance requirements.
• Lead SCUS engagement and coordination with Save the Children International on global policy and advocacy priorities, including overseeing U.S. participation in SCI policy working groups, coordinating with SCI policy and advocacy leadership, and ensuring alignment between global and U.S. federal advocacy strategies.
• Work with Partnerships & Philanthropy Division on policy and advocacy fundraising opportunities. 
• Represent the PAC Division in enterprise forums as needed.

• Minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent experience, plus at least 15 years of relevant experience.
• Proven familiarity with the legislative process, including domestic and foreign assistance appropriations. Direct responsibility for delivering legislative successes (bills passed, budgets increased).
• Familiarity with the federal Executive Branch, including White House structures, key departments and agencies, and methods of executive policymaking.
• Experience managing full-time staff, coaching managers, and leading a team.
• Experience in strategic planning, prioritization, and managing budgets.
• Willingness to travel >10%.
• Professional proficiency in MS Office suite
• Professional proficiency in spoken and written English

• Demonstrated success using advocacy tactics beyond direct lobbying, to advance policy goals.
• Experience managing both domestic and international policy priorities.
• Bipartisan networks related to foreign policy, global health, and international children’s issues.
• Bipartisan networks related to domestic children’s issues, particularly early childhood education, K-3 education, and food security.
• Experience engaging Executive Branch officials and agencies to advance a policy agenda.
• Experience in large, complex organizations and/or multinational federations.

Join a Culture of Collaboration, Creativity and Inclusion

At Save the Children, you’ll find nonprofit jobs with purpose. Whether you’re working in advocacy, fundraising or operations, you’re part of a mission-driven organization that’s giving kids a healthy start in life, opportunities to learn and protection from harm.

Every role supports lifesaving humanitarian and development programs anchored in safeguarding children's rights, dignity and well-being – across the U.S. and around the world.

We invest in our people with competitive compensation, comprehensive employee benefits, a deep commitment to employee health and wellness, generous paid family leave and an inclusive culture where everybody belongs.

• Flexible schedules and time off: Flexible schedules, generous PTO, 11 paid holidays plus 2 floating holidays and hybrid working opportunities
• Health: Competitive health care, dental and vision coverage for you and your family
• Family: A variety of paid leaves: caregiver, parental/adoption, critical child illness and fertility benefits
• Employee Rewards Program: Annual merit increases and/or additional incentives for eligible employees
• Retirement: A retirement savings plan with employer contributions (after one year)
• Wellness: 15 safety and wellness days annually (if hired on or after July 1, safety and wellness days prorated to 8 days), mental health benefits and support through Calm and company-hosted events
• Employee Assistance Program: free and confidential assessments, short-term counseling, referrals, and follow-up services
• Learning & Growth: Access to internal and external learning & development opportunities and mentorships

Click here to learn more about how Save the Children US will invest in you.

Save the Children is committed to conducting its programs and operations in a manner that is safe for the children it serves and helps protect the children with whom we are in contact. All Save the Children representatives are explicitly prohibited from engaging in any activity that may result in any kind of child abuse.

Save the Children is committed to minimizing safety and security risks for our valued employees, ensuring all are given training, support and information to reduce their risk exposure while maximizing the impact of our programs for children and families. Our shared duty, both agency and individual, is to seek and maintain safe working conditions for all.

If you require disability assistance with the application or recruitment process, please submit a request to applicantsupport@savechildren.org.