Senior Vice President, Government Relations

Easterseals is leading the way to full equity, inclusion, and access through life-changing disability and community services. 

Through our national network of affiliates, Easterseals provides essential services and on-the-ground supports to more than 1.5 million people each year — from early childhood programs for the critical first five years, to autism services, to medical rehabilitation and employment programs, to veterans’ services, and more. Our public education, policy, and advocacy initiatives positively shape perceptions and address the urgent and evolving needs of the one in four Americans living with disabilities today. 

At Easterseals, we are committed to diversity and are proud to be a disability-friendly employer.  We are an inclusive and accessible workplace where all individuals can thrive and contribute their skillsets. 

We actively support employees with disabilities, ensuring they have the tools, resources, and accommodations they need to excel in their roles.  Our culture is one of belonging where everyone can feel valued, empowered, and respected.  

If you're passionate about working in an inclusive and supportive environment that values diversity, we encourage you to apply and join our team to positively impact the communities we serve. Your talents are welcome here, and we look forward to how we can grow and succeed together. 

The Senior Vice President, Policy and Government Affairs is an exciting new position at Easterseals National office that will have the opportunity to develop and implement Easterseals’ policy and government affairs agenda including legislative, regulatory, and research strategies to advance the organization’s policy priorities at the Federal, State, & Local levels. The Senior Vice President will provide leadership and support in advancing the organization’s public policy agenda by designing, implementing, and coordinating the organization’s strategic direction as it relates to policy and government affairs.  

The role will include:  

• Being responsible for the overall planning, organization and execution of Easterseals’ policy agenda and government affairs strategies and lobbying activities at the federal, state, and local levels. 

• Devising strategies that translate organizational priorities into measurable legislative and regulatory results, promoting Easterseals’ brand as a leading voice in the field. 

• Work closely with affiliates around the country on policy priorities and relationships with policymakers.  

• Being a thought leader who regularly publishes commentary and develops new ideas for policy solutions on Easterseals’ core issues.  

• Ensuring the organization is among the leading voices in public policy debates affecting its interests. 

• Maintaining a constant focus on Easterseals unwavering commitment to creating a strong culture of inclusivity, diversity, equity, and empowering a more equitable workforce. 

• Overseeing the annual government relations’ budget, allocate resources effectively and hold a variety of vendor/agency relationships. 

• Meeting with officials of Federal, State, and Local governments and regulatory agencies to establish, foster and maintain positive relationships and to advance the organization’s objectives. 

• Partnering closely with the executive office and communications teams and external consultants. 

• Being responsible for the development of detailed analyses, complex reports, position papers, position recommendations and legislative/regulatory alerts on matters of interest/impact to Easterseals. 

EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS: 

Easterseals seeks a mission-driven leader who is positive, entrepreneurial, collaborative, and has a passion for Easterseals mission. This is a leadership role in the organization who will have a great deal of opportunity to shape the organization’s policy and advocacy agenda. The successful candidate will be someone with gravitas and confidence who has a point of view but can work well within a large, complex, federated organizational structure.  

The ideal candidate will have a combination of the following experience:  

• Deep expertise in public policy and government affairs and a network in relevant policy circles. 

• Experience working with public-facing, high profile organizations and individuals. 

• Previous experience working in Congress, the administration, state government, think tanks, or advocacy roles would be a plus.  

• Previous experience conducting/overseeing original research projects. 

• Background and expertise on Easterseals’ core policy issues including disability rights, early childhood development, and veterans’ services. 

• Expertise formulating strategies pertaining to legislative issues and regulatory strategies. 

• An ability to use existing relationships and develop new ones.  

• An exemplary leader of people with a track record of recruiting, building, and supporting diverse, high-performing teams. 

• Experience managing a budget and working within a large, complex, federated organization a plus. 

• Capable of shifting between a visionary and tactical leader, when needed. 

• Willing to travel up to 20% of the time for business purposes. 

EDUCATION AND CREDENTIALS 

The successful candidate must possess a Bachelor’s degree in a related field. A graduate degree is preferred but not . 

We offer a competitive compensation and benefits package!

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