Business Planning & Policy Content Specialist

Overview

Youth Villages has been a national leader in the implementation of research-based treatment philosophies in the field of children's mental and behavioral health. Our commitment to helping troubled children and their families find success spans 30+ years and includes a comprehensive array of programs and services. With a high-performing and dedicated staff of more than 3,400 working in 24 states as well as the District of Columbia and an annual operating budget over $400 million, the organization serves more than 36,000 emotionally and behaviorally challenged youth annually through its comprehensive, evidence-based programs: intensive in-home services, residential treatment, foster care, adoption, group homes, transition-age youth services, specialized crisis services, and intensive residential treatment.

The organization, founded in Memphis, Tennessee in 1986, measures its success in reunited families and in children who are able to live at home and do well in school. Since 1994, when Youth Villages began an emphasis on helping children in the least restrictive environment -- preferably in their own homes -- success rates have soared: in 2020, 87% of the children who received at least 60 days of service at Youth Villages were still living successfully in the community one year after their discharge. Youth Villages’ success rate is extraordinary when compared with a 60 percent failure rate for traditional child welfare services.

President Obama recognized Youth Villages as a nonprofit with “promising ideas that are transforming communities.” Youth Villages Chief Executive Officer, Patrick Lawler, was named one of “America’s Best Leaders” by U.S. News and World Report and the Center for Public Leadership at Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government.

If you are looking for a positive career move where you are meeting the challenges of life and striving to make a positive difference, then Youth Villages is the place for you. We are looking for people with a strong sense of purpose and focus to continually build confidence in yourself and our organization.

For more information, please visit www.youthvillages.org.

Responsibilities

Position Summary:

Under the supervision of the Multidisciplinary Team Manager, the Business Planning & Policy Content Specialist will support program leadership and the business development/strategy/government relations team with creating all content focused on growth, business development, and public policy efforts. The Content Specialist plays an essential role in crafting our overall message, creatively promoting Youth Villages’ programming, and distinguishing ourselves to an external audience of stakeholders, funders, and potential partners. Content includes, but not limited to, drafting formal responses to Request for Proposals (RFPs), developing and refining all department marketing materials, contributing to a library of documentation content, and crafting communications to external stakeholders. The Content Specialist builds and maintains a positive reputation for Youth Villages by creating content that meets the overall objectives and goals of the Business Planning & Policy department and Youth Villages.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Writes and develops content for responses to grants, marketing materials, presentations, and other printed publications. Also writes and compiles content for digital communications outlets including website, blog and intranet, as needed.
• Edit and proofread grant applications, responses to RFPs, reports, marketing materials, and presentations before department submission.
• Guide department on best practices for professional writing and crafting creative business development strategies.
• Produce written content to be filed in a documentation library for use by all Department staff.
• Monitor appropriate websites, email distributions, and resources for funding opportunities to support department with meeting growth goals and strategic priorities.
• Works collaboratively with Youth Villages Communications, Strategy, Federal Policy, and Strategic Partnerships to achieve strategic marketing objectives.
• Draft professional emails, letters, and other appropriate communications for senior leadership upon request.
• Work with Marketing and Communications staff to ensure consistency with theme, brand, and design guidelines.
• Maintains a strong working knowledge of business planning and policy department procedures and practices to ensure alignment with content creation.
• Helps prepare department reports. Conducts research for accurate content.
• In collaboration with other department staff, works closely with state leadership to drive expansion of YV services.
• Travels to Youth Villages offices or assigned locations as needed. Travel estimated to be at 25%.
• As a member of the Business Planning & Policy department, must be flexible with additional job duties, including but not limited to, conference attendance and contract adherence processes.

Qualifications

Education and Experience Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree (required)
• Master’s degree (preferred)
• 2+ years of professional writing experience (required)
• Previous grant writing experience (preferred)
• Previous marketing and advertising experience (preferred)
• Meticulous organizational skills
• Ability to analyze, synthesize and summarize large amounts of information
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office
• Excellent oral and written communication skills

COVID-19 Vaccine Requirement

As of October 15, 2021, Youth Villages has required the COVID-19 vaccine for all employees, excluding those with an approved medical or religious exemption, as a condition of employment to help ensure the safety of all employees and youth and families served.

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, Prescription Drug Coverage and Vision
• 401(k)
• 2 weeks paid vacation
• 12 paid sick days per year
• 11  paid holidays
• Mileage & Cell Phone Reimbursement (when applicable)
• Paid parental leave
• Tuition & licensure reimbursement

Youth Villages is an equal opportunity employer and provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

Youth Villages is committed to not only advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace but also in our work with children and young adults. We know that children, families and young people of color can face inequity in child welfare and justice systems, and we train our employees to build the skills they need to work with the communities that we serve, as well as, other employees from different cultures and backgrounds. Youth Villages is opposed to racism in any of its forms and is committed to inclusion, equity, and diversity. We believe that respect for each other is crucial in the work that we do each day.

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