Business Planning & Policy Specialist

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. With a high-performing and dedicated staff of more than 4,300 working in 27 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 2023, 88% 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. 

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

Position Summary

This position will be responsible for supporting program leadership by driving business development, strategy, and government relations efforts in their assigned portfolio of states. Efforts will primarily focus on growth, expansion, and sustainability of Youth Villages programming in addition to public policy and thought leadership initiatives.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Business development and government relations

• Communicates with state and other Youth Villages leaders, including CSO, COO, and CEO, about growth opportunities and new startups
• Assists and/or leads the process of responding to Request for Proposals (RFPs) of interest to the organization in order to grow services in assigned states
• Leading or contributing to meetings and presentations with key external stakeholders (including potential funders, state/county agencies, and lawmakers)
• In collaboration with Federal Policy Director, assists state leadership with policy and legislative priorities and action steps
• Technical writing, including proposal writing, as well as composing letters and emails, developing PowerPoints, etc.
• Critical thinking related to analysis of growth and funding opportunities
• Creating budgets and analyzing financials to support business development decision-making
• Strong collaborations with internal leadership, including other support departments (such as Strategy, Strategic Partnerships, Communications, Finance, etc.)
• Research growth opportunities, cultivate relationships, and introduce proposals and services to potential funders (in conjunction with state and department leadership)
• Review bills, laws, and policies that may impact strategy and engagement with key stakeholders, and/or that will have an impact on child welfare, Medicaid, and other state systems that serve children, families, and young adults

Conduct desk research

• Research for assigned portfolio of states to support growth, expansion, and strategy development of Youth Villages services by completing shallow dives and utilizing collected information, including analyzing the economy, funding streams (local, state, federal), legislation, government structure, political climate, competitors, new business opportunities, and trends related to transitioning youth/disconnect youth and at-risk children and families
• Identify and articulate how desk research does or does not support growth or expansion strategies within assigned states
• Other research related to department priorities, initiatives, and opportunities, as assigned

Strategy implementation

• Work closely with state leadership to drive expansion of Youth Villages services in assigned states (create and revise state strategy plans in collaboration with the state leadership, monitor RFP opportunities, lead RFP response efforts, generate new rates/budgets, work in collaboration with the state on a robust relationship management/building process, etc.)
• Identifies and articulates reasons why an opportunity would be of interest/not of interest to Youth Villages
• Help carry out identified strategies and tactics for growth, system influence, and/or thought leadership
• Actively facilitate and contribute to the planning process for assigned states (which occurs annually) and other special projects
• Engage internal leadership in the planning process in a collaborative way

As a member of the Business Planning and Policy Department, must be flexible with additional job duties, including but not limited to conference attendance and contract adherence processes. Up to 30% travel is required, including evening and overnight travel. Flexible/non-traditional schedule may be required, at times, to meet time-sensitive deadlines.

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Requirements

Education and Experience:

Bachelor's degree is required

Master's degree is preferred

At least 6 months leadership experience is preferred

Specific degrees and coursework in public policy, public administration, political science, and/or social work is required

Excellent written and verbal communication skills required

Ability to engage audiences easily and function in an in-person or virtual environment, often during periods of high stress, is required

Ability to think critically and conceptualize complex problems is required

Strong, demonstrable Microsoft Office skills, specifically Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Teams, and Outlook is required

Experience related to negotiating contracts with funders and/or knowledge of funding sources (i.e., Medicaid/managed care, child welfare, mental/behavioral health) is preferred

Experience in government relations, proposal writing, desk research, and budgeting is preferred

This is a remote position with ideal applicants residing in the east or central time zones.

Benefits

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

Paid parental leave
Mileage & Cell Phone Reimbursement (when applicable)
Tuition and Licensure Reimbursement is available

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.