Executive Director, Partnership for America's Children

Executive Director

Partnership for America’s Children

The Partnership for America’s Children seeks an Executive Director to support the work of its national network of nonpartisan child advocacy organizations. 

Dedicated to leveraging public policies to advance opportunity for every child, Partnership member organizations represent children and their needs at the local, state, and national level. 

The Partnership connects members to resources and facilitates collaborations to deepen the impact of child advocacy within and across states. To learn more, visit foramericaschildren.org/.

Position Overview

The next Executive Director will be passionate about the mission of the Partnership and skilled in enlisting the leadership of others. With deep understanding of child policy advocacy issue areas, the Executive Director will lead with strong communication, networking, organization, and coalition-building skills.

The Executive Director will have strategic and operational responsibility for staff, member services, external relations, and program delivery goals, with specific focus on capacity building, sustainability, impact, and the Partnership’s commitment to race and ethnic equity. 

Reporting to the Governing Board of Directors, composed of 7-12 Executive Directors of member organizations, the Executive Director oversees a small professional staff that includes a Director of Member Engagement, a Senior Child Welfare Policy Manager, and a part-time administrative assistant.

Specific areas of responsibility include: 

Strategy, Vision, and Leadership 

Establish strong working relationships and collaborations with a range of key partners, policymakers, government agencies, funders, and others to advance members’ interests.  Join the board in a strategic planning effort to further define and elevate the Partnership’s role in developing, promoting, and delivering value to members. Develop thought leadership by publishing and communicating program results emphasizing successful member initiatives as regional and national replication models.  Advance diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout the Partnership’s programmatic initiatives, policies, operations, and workplace culture. 

Network Building and Engagement

Develop, organize, and manage events, member communications, webinars, and other member services. Develop close connections and regular communications with leadership of member organizations, creating opportunities for members’ mutual support and leadership on national policies and model state efforts.

Organizational Development and Management

Manage day-to-day operations, including human resources, finances, and legal and regulatory compliance.  Nurture a strong relationship with the Board of Directors; implement the board’s overall organizational goals and strategic direction to expand the Partnership’s influence and reach. Provide strategic leadership in maintaining, diversifying, and growing revenue through dues, grants, and potentially events and services. 

Advocacy and External Affairs

Guide external communications strategies that elevate the impact of the Partnership’s members, from web presence to media relations. Serve as the Partnership’s principal spokesperson, representing members’ interests to partners, policymakers, funders, and various publics.  Drive opportunities for members to reach key audiences, including national and state-level convenings of related organizations, coalitions, and networks.

Experience, Skills and Qualities 

The most competitive applicants will have many of the following attributes:

No less than 5 years of experience in child advocacy or a related field, preferably with experience at both a state and national level, with a commensurate educational background. Proven success in working with foundations to generate nonprofit revenue. Proven success mobilizing coalitions and networks, as well as securing support for new projects, partnerships, and funding relationships. Demonstrated commitment to centering race equity in advocacy and supporting partner organizations to center race equity in the child welfare systems of their states. Excellent organizational management, including budgeting, financial management, human resources, grants, contracts, and legal compliance.  A significant supervisory record coaching staff, developing high-performance teams, and setting an inclusive, positive workplace culture.  An effective spokesperson for the Partnership’s members. Capable of interacting with constituents including partner organizations, coalitions, and state and federal policymakers. Past work with or serving on a nonprofit board. Understands the importance of governance, board development, and collective decision-making. Facility with change management, transforming systems, tools, and processes that take an organization to a next stage of growth. Knowledge of government relations and legislative processes at state and/or federal levels. 

Compensation & Benefits

The budgeted salary is $145,000-$155,0000 with a generous benefits package that includes health insurance, matched retirement savings, and ample paid time off. The Partnership team is geographically dispersed and works remotely from home offices.

Application Process

The Board of Directors has retained the services of Good Insight, a national executive search firm serving small nonprofits. See the full executive profile and application information at www.good-insight.org/careers. Resume reviews begin immediately. For best consideration, apply by May 26, 2023. Early applications are encouraged due to the pace of the search.

Equal Opportunity Employer

An equal opportunity employer, the Partnership seeks to be a multicultural and culturally competent organization that works for equity among all people.