National Director Public Affairs

Company: TalentRemedy
Location: Washington
Posted on: February 19, 2026

Job Description:

Job Description Job Description National Director, Public Affairs & Policy Strategy Are you a strategic leader who understands how policy, narrative, and communications shape movements? Do you believe child well-being and racial equity must sit at the center of public policy? Our client is seeking a National Director to lead an enterprise-wide strategy across policy advocacy, strategic communications, and thought leadership for a mission-driven, national social impact organization focused on children, youth, and families. This executive-level role will shape long-term public affairs strategy, guide national policy positioning, and oversee high-performing policy and communications teams. The National Director will serve as a key strategic partner to senior leadership and help drive a bold, multi-year agenda rooted in equity, community voice, and measurable impact. What You’ll Lead Strategic Leadership Set national public affairs narrative, brand positioning, and policy strategy in partnership with executive leadership Lead cross-functional teams toward ambitious federal and state policy goals Translate organizational priorities into annual workplans with clear metrics and milestones Align communications strategy with organizing, direct service, and public engagement efforts Oversee departmental budgeting, performance management, and team development Policy & Narrative Strategy Direct development and implementation of national public policy and advocacy strategies Shape values-centered narratives that mobilize diverse constituencies Oversee unified communications and marketing plans across platforms Track political, demographic, and economic shifts to inform strategy Guide research partnerships and major policy publications Build and steward coalitions with aligned partners and stakeholders Program Oversight & Impact Establish performance metrics and accountability systems Lead grant sourcing and funding alignment for policy initiatives Support campaign planning, coalition recruitment, and execution Monitor emerging stakeholder needs and adjust strategy accordingly RequirementsWhat You Bring Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree in Public Policy, Public Administration, Social Work, or related field preferred 10 years of relevant experience in public policy, communications, advocacy, or politics 6–8 years of senior leadership experience managing high-performing teams Demonstrated success leading state or national-level policy or campaign initiatives Strong understanding of nonprofit strategy, budgeting, and organizational operations Expertise in policy analysis, coalition-building, racial equity, or child/family-focused advocacy Preferred Experience Proven campaign development and execution Experience leading narrative strategy or major policy reports from concept to publication Established relationships with national policy leaders and aligned institutions Comfort representing organizations in mainstream, community, and digital medCore Competencies Strategic leadership in high-stakes environments Deep commitment to racial equity and community-centered decision-making Exceptional written and verbal communication skills Strong coalition-building and consensus-building ability Analytical thinker with the ability to translate data into action High ethical standards and servant-leader mindset

Keywords: TalentRemedy, Ellicott City , National Director Public Affairs, PR / Public Relations , Washington, Maryland