Policy Analyst, Childcare Policy, Vanderbilt Policy Accelerator (VPA)

The Childcare Policy Analyst is part of the Vanderbilt Policy Accelerator (VPA) in the Law School at Vanderbilt University. Operating within the Public Options and Governance workstream, this role is responsible for developing and implementing VPA’s childcare and early childhood policy research agenda and advocacy portfolio. The policy analyst will spend a significant portion of their time conducting policy research, producing communications and publications, and supporting programmatic activities that advance VPA’s priorities on childcare access, affordability, quality, and workforce development within a broader public option framework. This position reports to the Director of Public Options and Governance. To be considered for this position, candidates must submit a cover letter, CV, and list of references.

The Vanderbilt Policy Accelerator (VPA) focuses on a small number of cutting-edge topics in political economy and regulation. We bring research, education, and policy proposals in these areas from infancy to maturity and periphery to centrality. We cultivate, grow, and spread research, education, and policy ideas—and at a pace that aligns with the urgency of today’s challenges. We are currently in the midst of a political economy revolution. From antitrust to trade, swift changes are taking place that are reshaping how policymakers and the general public think about economic policy. These changes create an opportunity to advance new paradigms, research, and policy ideas. We are action focused. Each project we undertake seeks to accelerate developments in education, research, policy, and public debate.

Key Functions and Expected Performance:
Lead the development and implementation of the childcare policy agenda and research portfolio.
• Evaluate pressing challenges in childcare and early childhood policy, working closely with the Director of Public Options and Governance, the faculty director, and the executive director to develop and implement a comprehensive childcare policy agenda.
• Lead research on the regulation and public provision of childcare across relevant actors—including childcare providers, early childhood workforce, subsidy administrators, and platform intermediaries—with a focus on structural and market-shaping governance, including public options for universal childcare, utility-style approaches to essential childcare infrastructure, nondiscrimination and fair access rules, and affordability and quality standards.
• Develop policy proposals to improve childcare governance, from reform of federal subsidy programs (including the Child Care and Development Fund and Head Start) and state licensing frameworks to consumer protections for families, wage and labor standards for childcare workers, and strategies to address childcare deserts and market failures in under-served communities.
• Perform essential administrative and coordination functions related to the childcare policy portfolio, exercising independent judgment and discretion as appropriate.
• Assist in managing relevant public relations, media, press, and internal and external communications in consultation with the Director of Public Options and Governance and the executive director.
• Contribute to project management of key initiatives, ensuring administrative accuracy and integrity in coordination with the Director of Public Options and Governance.
• Support the development of effective relationships and partnerships with local, regional, and national partners, stakeholders, and funders—including childcare advocacy organizations, early
childhood coalitions, labor groups representing childcare workers, and relevant federal and state agencies.

Produce research, white papers, policy briefs, and other policy communications like op-eds on key VPA priorities.
• Research, draft, and support the rollout of white papers, academic publications, and other policy products on childcare and early childhood topics to be released by VPA.
• Draft and assist in overseeing the development of policy briefs and other policy communications on key VPA priorities—including press releases, social media copy, and op-eds—that promote VPA’s work on childcare policy proposals.
• Support and advise the work of policy analysts assigned to the childcare portfolio.

Manage and support programming, initiatives, and partnerships related to VPA priorities, including academic conferences and meetings and briefings with academics, public officials, and other stakeholders.
• Manage and support conferences, events, and other programming related to the childcare policy portfolio.
• Support programming across the VPA portfolio as needed.
• Plan and execute meetings and briefings with academics, public officials, childcare advocates, and other stakeholders.

Supervisory Relationships:
This position does not have any supervisory responsibilities and reports to the Director of Public Options and Governance.

Qualifications:
• A master’s degree is necessary.
• An advanced degree in public policy, law, social work, education policy, or a related field is preferred.
• Five years of experience is necessary. Experience in childcare, early childhood education, family economic security, or related social policy areas, with familiarity with federal and state childcare subsidy systems, Head Start, and/or early childhood workforce policy is preferred.
• Ability to demonstrate maturity, creativity and initiative is necessary.
• Ability to perform complex tasks and to prioritize multiple projects is necessary.
• Relocation to Nashville, TN or Washington, D.C. is necessary.