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POSITION SUMMARY: The National Director will contribute to the overall strategic vision of the FFYF and shoulder a substantial portion of managing its team of consultants. The mission of the FFYF must guide all the work and decisions of the organization. The National Director should make regular trips to Washington and elsewhere to meet with members of the team as well as with allies and other partners in the field. The National Director oversees the advocacy team based in Washington, D.C. and would also help with alliance-building efforts with others in the early childhood field, and would explore opportunities to collaborate with non-traditional allies.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS: The National Director reports to the Executive Director of the FFYF.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES AND KEY TASKS:

• Oversee and manage the FFYFs federal advocacy and legislative efforts and be top strategist for the federal government relations team on the Hill.
• Serve as ambassador and external marketer of the First Five Years Fund at national conferences, in meetings with key Congressional lawmakers, with the media and with federal advocates.
• Help make the FFYF the go-to organization for media, federal lawmakers and others for information about quality early learning. Help coordinate grassroots efforts to leverage federal support.
• Implement the strategic plan of the FFYF, using the FFYF Work Plan as a guide.
• Keep the day to day activities of the FFYF moving at a brisk pace, and work closely with and in support of the Executive Director.
• Generate ideas and opportunities for how the FFYF could use its champions and other high profile supporters of early education to further the cause.

EDUCATIONAL AND WORK EXPERIENCE REQUIRMENTS:

• Education: Bachelors or Masters.
• Management: Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible expensive and management that includes program development, program administration, staff supervision, financial management and board interaction.

REQUIRED SKILLS/ABILITIES:

• Embodies the FFYF mission and is driven by outcomes.
• Ability to think strategically and creatively.
• Works well on deadline.
• Is an eager, entrepreneurial self-starter, particularly on larger projects.
• Passion for policy, as well as understanding of and interest in the federal legislative process.
• Works hard to get up to speed if not already well-versed in early childhood policy.
• Keeps up with news and is well-informed.
• Strong management skills.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Strong sense of ethics.
• Ability to articulate, persuade, engage and listen effectively. Skilled at strong and compelling presentation
• Travel requirement: 40%

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