Regional Government Relations and Strategy Manager

Company 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. 

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.

Position Overview

The Regional Government Relations and Strategy Manager will lead business growth and regional strategic planning efforts across the New England states. This role will focus on securing sustainable funding, driving strategic initiatives, and fostering relationships aligned with Youth Villages’ mission in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Maine. Reporting to the Director of Learning and Strategy, the position will work closely with the Youth Villages New England Executive Director, Executive Team, and cross-functional departments to advance Youth Villages’ services and funding opportunities in the region.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned:

Government Relations

• Advocate for children’s issues and relevant legislation in coordination with government relations firms and internal teams, advancing Youth Villages' policy priorities.
• Create meeting materials, presentations, written communications, and promotional packages in collaboration with the Business Planning and Policy and Communications teams.
• Collaborate with the federal advocacy team to monitor and analyze federal policy developments and advocacy efforts, assessing their potential impact on young people and families in New England. Represent and advocate for these communities in Washington, D.C., as necessary.
• Summarize and consolidate financial, clinical, and operational metrics for various audiences, including state government stakeholders
• Facilitate in-person meetings, public presentations, tours, and outreach activities to promote Youth Villages' mission and services in New England
• Build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders at the state and regional levels to foster innovation and secure contracting opportunities with state agencies, Medicaid programs, and other relevant partners

Strategic Planning & Implementation

• Support the Director of Learning and Strategy in developing and updating regional strategic plans to align with Youth Villages’ growth and mission.

• Conduct research on service needs, competitive models, providers, and referral sources to inform regional strategy and planning.
• Support the New England Executive Team in carrying out identified strategies and tactics that are related to business development/government relations

Business Development

• Become well-versed in how Youth Villages services are funded and supported across the country, and leverage this knowledge to maximize impact in New England.
• Lead the assessment and development of new service opportunities across New England, particularly in child welfare and behavioral health, that align with Youth Villages' mission and strategy.
• Identify and grow diverse funding streams, with a focus on Medicaid, state contracts, and public-private partnerships.
• Drive efforts to grow funding through child welfare contracts, expanding services in existing areas and into new regions.
• Collaborate with program leaders and cross-functional teams (Executive Director, Executive Team, Business Planning, Policy, and Strategy staff) during expansion efforts and new site start-ups.
• Communicate contract requirements to appropriate operations staff, including compliance teams, to ensure alignment with contractual obligations.

Location

New England-based (Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Maine) with hybrid in-office and remote schedule.

Additional Information

Applicants must have a valid driver’s license, a personal vehicle to use for work purposes and auto insurance.

Salary

$89000 - $96000 / year based on education and experience

Requirements

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree required, with 3-5 years of relevant experience in government relations, business development, and/or strategic planning. A Master’s degree in Public Administration, Political Science, Public Health, or a closely related field is preferred.
• Experience in one or more of the following fields is highly desirable: non-profit/human services, government relations, Medicaid, child welfare, pediatric behavioral health, or juvenile justice.
• Applicants with lived experience or a personal connection to the foster care or other social service systems are strongly encouraged to apply

Skills and Competencies

As a contributor to the success of Youth Villages New England, must be flexible with additional job duties, including but not limited to regional travel to in-person meetings and conferences, contract adherence processes, and other duties as assigned. The ideal candidate will bring enthusiasm and expertise to this role, will be driven and able to follow through and deliver high-quality results that ultimately lead to expansion of Youth Villages’ services within the organization’s current footprint.

Specific competencies desired include:

• Strong understanding of government relations and the ability to navigate complex policy environments.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with experience in stakeholder engagement.
• Strategic thinking and problem-solving skills with the ability to execute effectively.
• Knowledge of funding models and contracting processes, particularly in Medicaid and child welfare services.
• Ability to work cross-functionally, collaborating with both internal and external teams to drive initiatives forward.

Additional Benefits

Medical, Dental, Prescription Drug Coverage and Vision
401k
2 weeks paid vacation
12 paid sick days per year
11 paid holidays

Paid Parental Leave
Mileage & Cell Phone Reimbursement (when applicable)

Tuition reimbursement and licensure supervision

Growth & development through continuous training

Clinical and administrative advancement opportunities

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.