SUMMARY

ZERO TO THREE is seeking a Senior Communications Manager, Policy and Advocacy to join our team of passionate and innovative baby champions committed to advancing policies that prioritize the needs of young children so they can thrive. The Senior Communications Manager, Policy and Advocacy serves a critical role in achieving ZERO TO THREE’s policy and programmatic goals. You will be responsible for leading the development and execution of communications strategies that advance ZERO TO THREE’s infant-toddler policy agenda and raise the overall visibility of the organization. This position will serve as the lead policy communications staff responsible for advancing the policy and advocacy messaging frame, dissemination of policy-related reports and resources, and cultivation of national and state media outlets with influence on infant-toddler policy issues. This role will be a critical link between the Communications and Policy Center teams, promoting collaboration and information sharing across the organization.

ABOUT ZERO TO THREE

Founded in 1977, ZERO TO THREE works to ensure that babies and toddlers benefit from the early connections that are critical to their well-being and development. Our mission is to ensure that all babies and toddlers have a strong start in life. At ZERO TO THREE, we envision a society with the knowledge and will to support all infants and toddlers in reaching their full potential. Our Core Values Statement: We believe that how we do our work is as important as what we do. To learn more about ZERO TO THREE, please visit our website at zerotothree.org.

OUR COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY

ZERO TO THREE is proud to be an equal opportunity employer committed to inclusive hiring, advancement, and professional development. It is dedicated to diversity in its work, its staff, community partners. This is an exceptional opportunity for a professional who shares our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion and supports our mission to enhance outcomes for all children.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Drive strategic communications plans that advance ZERO TO THREE’s infant-toddler policy agenda, including reactive and proactive communications and media outreach for key initiatives, including Think Babies™ and State of Babies Yearbook.
• Work collaboratively with Communications and Policy Center teams, key internal stakeholders and partners to provide strategic communications counsel, ensure messaging accuracy and consistency and deft execution of advanced dissemination and amplification strategies.
• Prepare spokespeople for policy and advocacy-related media interviews, meetings, and public appearances, including writing speeches, talking points, presentations and briefing books, op-eds with a focus on aligning messaging and framing with our strategic narrative.
• In partnership with the Senior Advocacy Specialist, oversee digital strategy development, editorial planning, ongoing posting and community engagement for policy and advocacy-focused content on organizational and policy leadership social platforms.
• Lead Policy Center media strategy, including working closely with Communications Manager, Media & PR on policy-related media opportunities, press release writing and media statement, interview coordination (media outreach, prep, talking points and background materials.)
• Provide rapid-response communications support to the Policy team as legislative opportunities and challenges emerge.
• Provide communications guidance and support for the development, design and dissemination of policy-focused collateral including fact sheets, reports, briefs toolkits, etc.
• Perform other duties as assigned to ensure the efficient and effective support of policy and advocacy communications.

ESSENTIAL SKILLS & EXPERIENCE

• Minimum of 10 years relevant experience. Experience working in advocacy communications, government or on Capitol Hill strongly preferred. Agency experience a plus.
• Exceptional writer with keen ability to translate complex and technical materials into plain language for non-expert audiences.
• Deep understanding and passion for early childhood development policy in the United States
• Demonstrated ability to develop effective communications campaigns as well as manage complex policy communications issues, including crisis communications experience
• Experience developing and implementing digital content and campaigns to support policy communications
• Analytical thinker and excellent problem solver
• Strong project management skills. Thrives and excels in fast-paced environments.
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Vendor/contractor management experience

ESSENTIAL QUALITIES

• Encourages and practices critical thinking
• Is self-reflective and empathic
• Recognizes the influence of workplace relationships on outcomes and results
• Maintains a respectful and accepting approach to others
• Awareness of the influence of the larger context on individual behavior
• Commitment to prioritizing diversity, equity, and inclusion principles in all your work, including utilizing the organization’s equity lens to inform all work.

EDUCATION

Bachelor’s degree in English, communications, journalism, public relations or similar field. Master's in education policy or advanced degree in communications preferred.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

While performing the responsibilities of the job, the employee is frequently required to use finger dexterity and sufficient hand dexterity to use a computer keyboard and be capable of reading a computer screen. Also, they may need to remain seated for extended periods, can perform repetitive motions, and reach for objects. An employee is frequently required to hold a writing instrument, communicate verbally, and hear well enough to detect nuances and receive detailed information. They may be required to grasp objects, push, and pull objects, bend, stand, walk, squat, or kneel. Vision abilities required by this job include close vision for data preparation or analysis, and expansive reading. May need to lift up to 30 pounds.

WORKING CONDITIONS

The work conditions described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing this job. Depending on work location, the incumbent will typically work indoors in a heated and air-conditioned office, with a mixture of natural, incandescent, and fluorescent light with low to moderate noise levels or be subject to working conditions conducive to a home environment. When travel is expected, the incumbent will be exposed to outside environmental conditions during those times.

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