Youth Guidance is hiring a
About Our OrganizationYouth Guidance creates and implements school-based programs that enable children to overcome obstacles, focus on their education, and ultimately, to succeed in school and in life. We believe that no matter what challenges a young person faces, they are more likely to succeed when they have caring adults in their lives. Our highly trained staff guides kids to overcome the life and academic challenges facing the youth. We meet kids where they are — physically and emotionally — to help them focus on their education, make positive choices, and remain on the right path toward life success.
Founded in 1924 and celebrating 100 years of impact this year, Youth Guidance is a leading provider of outcomes-driven programs serving more than 18,000 youth around the country. For more information, visit www.youth-guidance.org
About You:
You have the passion and desire to work in a dynamic non-profit organization, you have the talent and skills to perform the job, and now you’re looking for just the right opportunity. At Youth Guidance you’ll have the chance to use your passion and skills working alongside a team of talented individuals who share the same values.
Position Summary: The Director of Government Relations is responsible for building and managing relationships with elected officials and public sector staff including the State of Illinois; Cook County; Lake County; City of Chicago, and Chicago Public Schools. The Director represents Youth Guidance as a member of the senior leadership team at external meetings with government partners and elected officials.
Essential Duties/Responsibilities:
Builds and manages relationships with elected officials and other public sector leaders/staff to establish highly effective champions for Youth Guidance within state, county and local governments
Oversees and manages government relations efforts to mobilize public resources in support of the agency’s services;
Collaborates with contract lobbyist(s) to craft & execute a government relations strategy that ensures secures ongoing public sector investment in Youth Guidance programming
Engages in the following, in collaboration with contract lobbyist, to achieve the goals above:
Keeps Executive Management Team, Sr. Director of External Affairs and appropriate Senior Program Leadership Team members informed & engaged in government relations strategy, tactics and progress.
Serves as liaison for the Government Affairs Taskforce within the Board’s Committee structure. Prepares government affairs reports for quarterly Taskforce meetings and board meetings. Shares government affairs strategy, tactical plans and opportunities for taskforce and leadership volunteers (board, advisory councils) to support with lawmaker outreach
Creates and manages a system to track staff engagement in community-level coalitions and with elected officials so that Youth Guidance is engaging effectively, identifies & addresses gaps in community-level engagement
Prioritizes major opportunities and engages collaboratively with program, finance and evaluation departments in collaboration with Director of Government Funding & Partnerships to seize on government funding opportunities.
Perform other duties as assigned
Minimum Qualifications
Education/Experience/Training
Skills/Abilities
Highly responsive to key public sector partners and facile in communicating with multiple stakeholders.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Ability to present a positive image, develop relationships and communicate mission effectively with diverse stakeholders
Highly organized, with proven ability to handle multiple tasks, handle pressure and meet deadlines
Strategic approach to advancement of mission, with a keen eye for ensuring alignment of external activities with Youth Guidance’s mission and growth plan.
The ability to work well both independently and within a team
Commitment to cultural sensitivity and respect for differences
Commitment to the continuous improvement of service quality and the organization’s mission
Demonstrates Youth Guidance Core Competencies:
Demonstrates Youth Guidance Leadership Competencies:
Available Benefit Offerings:
Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Work Environment
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
This job operates in a professional office environment, school setting and working with the public, all Youth Guidance employees must be fully vaccinated or approved for a medical or religious exemption. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines. Occasional local travel.
DEI Statement
At Youth Guidance, we understand that diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) are fundamental to realizing our vision of bright and successful futures for all young people. We celebrate the diversity of youth and recognize them as empowered leaders, problem-solvers, and experts of their own experiences. At the same time, we acknowledge that many systems and institutions meant to support youth are inequitable and unjust.
As such, we are committed to advancing DE&I through our words and our actions, both internally and externally, by: