Manager of Government Affairs & Policy

Metropolitan Family Services empowers families to learn, to earn, to heal, to thrive. Part mentor, part motivator, part advocate, since 1857, Metropolitan Family Services has been the engine of change that empowers families to reach their greatest potential and positively impact their communities. Metropolitan is Illinois’ first comprehensive human services agency and reaches more than 205,000 individuals and families in Chicago, Evanston/Skokie, the southwest suburbs and DuPage County with services promoting education, economic stability, emotional wellness and empowerment. We are now hiring for a full-time Manager of Government Affairs & Policy to join our HQ Team! The Manager of Government Affairs & Policy supports the implementation of the agency’s policy development, legislative advocacy, and government relations strategy in alignment with the agency’s mission and strategic priorities. The Manager oversees the coordination of advocacy initiatives, policy research, legislative monitoring, and stakeholder engagement to advance the agency’s public policy agenda and the interests of the communities it serves. The role also develops and implements strategies to strengthen relationships with policymakers, community partners, and advocacy coalitions. Reporting to the Vice President of Policy and Government Affairs, the Manager supervises Government Affairs & Policy Associates and Policy Analysts (and if applicable, interns) and ensures effective coordination and collaboration across departmental and agency-wide policy development, research, advocacy communications, and legislative engagement efforts. The Manager works closely with agency programs, Community Centers, community partners, and policymakers to advance policy solutions that strengthen human services systems and support community violence intervention efforts. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Government Affairs & Legislative Advocacy Lead implementation of the agency’s federal, state, and local legislative and public policy advocacy agenda. Develop and maintain strategic relationships with elected officials, legislative staff, and government agencies. Represent the agency in meetings, hearings, coalitions, and advocacy activities. Monitor and analyze legislative and regulatory developments and guide the agency’s response to emerging policy issues. Develop and recommend advocacy strategies and policy recommendations that advance the agency’s mission and program priorities. Staff Supervision Supervise Government Affairs & Policy Associates, Policy Analysts, and interns. Provide mentorship, coaching, and performance management for department staff. Coordinate staff assignments to ensure effective execution of policy research, advocacy initiatives, and legislative engagement. Foster a collaborative and mission-driven departmental culture. Policy Strategy, Research, Analysis, and Communications Guide policy development efforts and ensure policy recommendations align with organizational priorities, community needs, and evidence-based practices. Support the Vice President of Policy and Government Affairs in developing departmental policy strategies, advocacy priorities, and annual policy agendas. Identify opportunities to strengthen the agency’s policy impact through partnerships, policy initiatives, and advocacy initiatives. Oversee policy research and legislative analysis conducted by Government Affairs & Policy Associates and Policy Analysts. Ensure the development of high-quality policy briefs, reports, testimony, fact sheets, and advocacy materials. Translate complex policy issues into accessible communications for internal and external audiences. Support the development and dissemination of advocacy communications including newsletters, action alerts, and policy updates. Maintain awareness of emerging public policy trends affecting human services and the communities served by the agency. Project and Initiative Management Manage Government Affairs & Policy initiatives across the project lifecycle, including planning, implementation, and evaluation. Establish and maintain project management processes for departmental policy and advocacy initiatives. Track policy priorities, advocacy campaigns, and departmental progress toward strategic goals. Stakeholder Engagement and Coalition Leadership Build and maintain partnerships with policymakers, advocacy organizations, community coalitions, and research institutions. Participate in external coalitions, policy working groups, and collaborative initiatives, and ensure team coverage for all department coalitions. Serve as a key liaison between the Government Affairs & Policy Department and agency programs and Community Centers. Advocacy Task Force Leadership Oversee the agency-wide Advocacy Task Force (ATF). Guide the development of advocacy priorities and policy recommendations through ATF workgroups. Support internal engagement across the agency to strengthen participation in advocacy initiatives, and ensure effective collaboration among workgroup leaders, staff, and department. Administrative and Organizational Responsibilities Maintain documentation and reporting on policy activities, legislative engagement, and advocacy outcomes. Support the Vice President of Policy and Government Affairs in staffing Board committees and policy-related initiatives. Collaborate with agency staff programs, departments, and Community Centers, and external partners to plan and implement Government Affairs & Policy initiatives. Perform other duties and special projects as assigned. REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE Bachelor’s degree in public policy, public administration, political science, social work, or a related field. Minimum of five (5) years of experience in public policy, government affairs, advocacy, or nonprofit public sector engagement. Demonstrated experience managing policy initiatives, legislative advocacy efforts, and/or government relations activities. Experience supervising staff and coordinating cross-functional teams. Strong understanding of legislative and regulatory processes at the federal, state, and local levels. TRAVEL/MOBILITY REQUIREMENTS Ability to travel between agency sites, the Illinois State Capitol in Springfield, and offices of legislators and government officials as needed. TRAVEL BETWEEN SITES Yes PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS Master’s degree in public policy, public administration, social work, or related field. Project management certification. Experience in legislative advocacy, coalition-building, or public policy campaigns. SALARY: The average starting salary for this position will fall in the range of $75,000 and $80,000 annually. Where candidates fall in this range will be based on skill and experience level. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, and ABILITIES Experience with legislative, administrative, and budgetary advocacy, including coalition-building and systems change efforts. Understanding of federal, state, and local legislative processes and nonprofit lobbying regulations, including the ability to support advocacy and lobbying activities in compliance with applicable laws and organizational policies. Project Management Skills: Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, including planning, coordination, implementation, and follow-up across internal teams and external stakeholders. Ability to track project timelines, milestones, and deliverables to ensure initiatives are completed efficiently and aligned with departmental goals. Skilled in prioritizing competing deadlines and adapting to changing priorities in a fast-paced policy and advocacy environment. Strong planning, facilitation, and organizational skills. Ability to work under tight timelines, think conceptually, and take a proactive role in executing and completing projects. Relationship Management & Stakeholder Engagement: Demonstrated ability to build and sustain productive relationships with diverse stakeholders, including elected officials, government staff, community partners, advocacy coalitions, and internal teams. Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate effectively, build trust, and maintain positive working relationships across diverse communities and sectors. Experience and comfort with public speaking and facilitation. Language/Communication Skills: Excellent written and oral communication skills. Demonstrated ability to speak and write persuasively to a range of audiences. Ability to respond to common inquiries from stakeholders, policymakers, or elected officials; communicate effectively with diverse audiences. Research Skills: Excellent research and analytical skills, with the ability to translate data and policy analysis into actionable advocacy strategies. Computer/Technical Skills: Demonstrated proficiency with computer skills in word processing, spreadsheets and internet usage, including new media. Familiarity with Microsoft Office package, and experience with legislative tracking systems/tools, advocacy platforms, and CRM software. Professional/Other Skills: Demonstrated ability to think critically, solve problems creatively and manage multiple assignments under deadlines. Highly organized and detail-oriented, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines. Ability to work well in groups and within teams as well as individually. Experience providing direct service to underserved or underrepresented populations is a plus. PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS While performing the essential duties of this job, the employee is required to sit and stand for sustained periods of time, frequently talk, hear, use hands and fingers to feel, handle, and operate objects or controls, and occasionally stand, bend, stretch, stoop, kneel and crouch. The employee is required to have close visual acuity to perform an activity such as preparing and analyzing data and figures, transcribing, and viewing a computer terminal. This job description is not designed to cover nor contain a comprehensive, exhaustive listing of duties and responsibilities, and it is expected that employees understand there may be other duties assigned outside of the written language that appears here. Metropolitan Family Services reserves the right to amend, add, change, and/or remove responsibilities to meet business needs as necessary, at any time, with or without notice to employees.