Job Title: Director of Policy & Government Relations 

Position Supervisor:   Vice President of Membership and Policy 

Classification Level: Exempt 

Location: Remote/Hybrid 

Position Timeline: Permanent 

Supervisor Responsibilities:   Yes  

APHSA is recruiting new talent! We seek an ambitious new hire who is efficient and successful at managing projects that bring people, technology, and community together to advance customer-centered improvements in delivering public benefits. 

APHSA is an association representing state and local health and human services agencies. With and through these members, we work to advance solutions centered on administering, overseeing, and aligning programs to provide access to food, health care, housing, employment, childcare, community support, and other key building blocks.  

Join a team of dedicated professionals who are results-oriented and impact systems nationwide!  Our team at APHSA needs a person like you who leans forward and feels comfortable engaging with teammates, thought leaders, and partners. We’re seeking an innovative, solution-oriented action-taker who will add to our collaborative team environment. 

We seek someone who thrives in a team environment. We need someone comfortable working on multiple cross-functional internal teams to advance the internal and external work with kindness, compassion, inclusion, and a can-do spirit.  

Your direct supervisor and coach will be the VP of Membership and Policy. Your support will be the entire APHSA organization because we work best when we all work together!  

Job Summary:  

The Director of Policy & Government Relations is a key leadership position reporting directly to Vice President of Membership and Policy. The Director oversees APHSA’s national policy and federal affairs for the human services sector, leading strategic engagement with APHSA members and partners to generate impact in pursuit of APHSA’s mission and vision.   

The Director works directly with state and local human services leaders, other national associations, researchers and academia, philanthropy, private companies, and community-based organizations to refine, align and advance the Association’s policy and practice priorities.

The Director leads strategy and engagement with Congress and the federal Administration in furtherance of APHSA member priorities. The Director works in coordination with the CEO and VP of Policy and Membership to further member priorities and oversee direct policy team interactions at the programmatic level.  

The Director oversees implementation of grant- and contract-funded initiatives that foster innovation, and systems change within member-prioritized impact strategies.  The Director works in coordination with APHSA senior management to ensure both programmatic and fiscal obligations are met under grant- and contract-funded initiatives.   

As a member of the APHSA senior management team, the Director models and fosters cross department relations and supports the integration of team expertise and strengths. 

The Director provides direct leadership support to management-level staff responsible for implementing focused strategies to support APHSA’s membership through policy, practice, and process change.  

Major Responsibility #1: Identify & Advance Member Policy Priorities: (30%) 

• Provide lead staff support for the APHSA Leadership Council and guide policy strategies across APHSA affinity groups to distill member priorities and mobilize national policy, practice, and supports 
• Oversee management and implementation of a large portfolio of funded initiatives and resources that advance member needs  
• Represent APHSA member interests publicly through events, speaking engagements, media, and meetings  

Major Responsibility #2: Support Strategic Partner Engagement: (25%) 

• In coordination with the CEO and VP of Policy and Membership, cultivate and manage relationships with national funding partners that provide direct support to national impact strategies aligned to APHSA’s mission. 
• Support connectivity and knowledge transformation across partnership initiatives and APHSA bodies of work. 

Major Responsibility #3:  Lead Federal Strategy and Policy Efforts (20%) 

• Provides support, oversight, and leadership for APHSA’s federal relations strategy and activities. 
• Leads coalition-building and collective action policy agendas with members, partners, community-based organizations, academia, faith-based      organizations, national associations, philanthropy, private for-profit organizations, and other entities that lead to collective action 
• Leads and oversees the preparation of comment letters, consultation comments, talking points, policy briefs, background documents, and other communications regarding pertinent issues, including testimony on pending legislation before Congressional committees. 
• Facilitates member engagement with federal administration officials, congressional committees, members of Congress, and their staff 
• Oversees Research related to federal policy and drafts legislative alerts and memoranda on federal legislation and proposed administrative rules and regulations that affect major areas of human services 

Major Responsibility #4: Support Member Engagement & Learning (15%) 

• Identify opportunities for member engagement and shared learning opportunities, both peer-to-peer and cross sector/systems 
• Provide strategic consultation on development of APHSA conference/event content in alignment with member priorities and action plan  
• Oversee policy efforts and coordination within programmatic- and operationally focused APHSA affinity groups  
• Lead on-boarding of members to the Leadership Council  

Major Responsibility #5: APHSA Team Development & Operational Oversight (10%) 

• Provide coaching and supervision to Influence Department management-level staff 
• Develop and manage the Influence Department budget and oversee fiscal tracking of grant-funded work  
• Work collaboratively with APHSA’s Executive Team to cultivate a high-performance work environment that demonstrates APHSA’s core values and advances a culture of equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging 
• Support optimal teaming and continuous learning for staff members. 

• Deep understanding of public human services programs with the ability to analyze and communicate effectively about new initiatives. 
• Knowledge of government budgeting and policymaking processes, with direct experience supporting these processes preferred. 
• Experience conducting in-depth policy research and analysis, as well as writing clear, concise policy briefs. 
• Demonstrated experience leading organizational change and enhancing organizational effectiveness. 
• Proven ability to develop innovative solutions while working collaboratively with diverse partners and allies in a bipartisan, non-profit environment. 
• Experience coaching, supervising, and developing the skills and competencies of staff. 
• Ability to work effectively in a collaborative, team-oriented environment. 
• Strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, with experience incorporating perspectives from multiple communities into project design and administration. 
• Knowledge of how structural racism and bias affect underserved and underrepresented communities. 
• Proven ability to build high-trust relationships across diverse internal and external colleagues and partners. 
• Exhibits qualities of a strategic thinker, essential for assisting in the future development of the department. 
• Demonstrated project management skills, with proficiency in facilitating teams and generating actionable work products. 
• Ability to develop, implement, and evaluate department objectives, goals, and strategic plans. 
• Experience in media-related communications, public affairs, and stakeholder management. 
• Strong written communication skills, with the ability to create impactful content for a variety of audiences. 
• Proven ability to collaborate with a broad range of influencers and partners, synthesizing diverse perspectives. 
• Commitment to bipartisan problem solving. 
• Willingness to travel 25% as required. 

Education and Experience: 

• Minimum BA/BS degree required; advanced degree preferred. 
• At least 10 years of relevant experience, including 5+ years providing direct supervision and coaching to a team. 
• Broad knowledge of human services policy and familiarity with federal policymaking in the Executive and Legislative branches. 
• Proven strategic thinking and visioning abilities. 
• Strong coalition-building skills to unite diverse groups and partners. 
• Solution-focused mindset with strong organizational and prioritization skills. 
• Proficient delegator capable of managing competing priorities effectively. 
• Dedication to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging (EDIB) and incorporating the perspectives of People with Lived Experience (PWLE). 
• Skilled in leveraging data for informed decision-making and program development. 
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills. 
• Excellent speaking and presentation abilities for engaging with diverse audiences. 
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills to foster productive partnerships. 
• Experienced in project management and budget oversight. 
• Adept at navigating frequently changing structures, requirements, and priorities while ensuring follow-through on tasks. 
• Proficiency in virtual meeting platforms, especially Zoom, for planning and facilitation. 
• Expertise with Office 365 for collaboration and productivity. 
• Exceptional organizational skills and keen attention to detail. 
• Comfortable and effective in communication with broad and diverse audiences. 
• Self-organized and adaptable, with the ability to multi-task and manage competing demands in dynamic environments.  

At APHSA, we value and support our staff's health, well-being, and future. Our benefit package is based on improving employee morale, which fosters a work environment where staff can thrive and feel accomplished. Aside from essential benefits such as employer coverage of health, dental, and vision insurance, we also offer additional employee benefits and perks like these:

• 3% contribution to 401k or ROTH Plan
• Hybrid work environment
• Additional discretionary holidays included 11 paid holidays.
• Up to 20 vacation days
• Up to 15 sick/wellness days
• Disability insurance
• Life Insurance
• FSA (health, dependent, commuter)
• Optional employee-paid benefits (legal, pet insurance, critical illness, accident)

Physical Requirements: 

• Prolonged periods of working on a computer. 
• Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times.  
• Willingness to travel (up to 15%) as public health considerations permit. 

Salary Range: $108,000 – 148,000

INSTRUCTIONS: Please submit a resume and cover letter. References upon request.

This employer participates in E-Verify for employment verification. 

The American Public Human Services Association (APHSA) is a bipartisan national membership association representing state and local health and human services agencies and the subject matter experts that help execute their mission to improve outcomes for people nationwide. APHSA's dedication to promoting diversity, racial equity, multiculturalism, and inclusion is clearly reflected in how we work and support our members. It is more than a commitment—it is the foundation of how we do what we do. We strive to create a workplace that reflects the communities we serve and recognize that building well-being starts with creating a space where our employees are comfortable bringing their authentic, unique selves to work. 

Building on our long-standing relationships with health and human services leaders, we focus on generating pragmatic solutions that advance the well-being of individuals, families, and communities.