Save the Children has been fighting for the rights of children for over 100 years, working in some of the world's hardest-to-reach places across 100+ countries, including the U.S.. By joining Save the Children, you create positive, irreversible change for children and the future we all share.

Role

As the Managing Director of Humanitarian Policy, you will lead Save the Children’s U.S. federal humanitarian policy portfolio, driving policy research, federal relations outreach and strategy with a focus on bipartisan engagement to advance child-focused policies. You will report to the Head of Policy and oversee a team that implements advocacy strategies producing measurable results in the legislative and executive branch arenas. Your role will coordinate closely with Save the Children US and global teams, coalition partners, and leaders in the humanitarian policy and advocacy community.

Location

Hybrid - Washington DC office location

What You’ll Be Doing (Essential Duties)

• Lead Save the Children’s humanitarian policy agenda on conflict, natural disaster, famine, complex emergencies, civilian-military relations, and other humanitarian responses.
• Manage and prioritize the federal humanitarian policy portfolio, including agenda setting, development, and implementation of issue-specific advocacy strategies.
• Develop policy and strategic plans for ongoing and emerging humanitarian crises using U.S. government policy tools (legislation, appropriations, executive actions, regulatory authorities, internal agency policies).
• Advance Save the Children’s priorities through strategic engagement with Congress, the Executive Branch, and multilateral institutions, emphasizing bipartisan outreach.
• Represent the organization in humanitarian policy coalitions, fostering bipartisan collaboration and managing coalition efforts when appropriate.
• Monitor and develop expertise on emerging humanitarian crises beyond the core portfolio, ensuring organizational readiness.
• Brief senior colleagues on emerging developments, risks, and opportunities, and lead outreach to policymakers on new and evolving situations.
• Oversee the development of policy products, including reports, briefs, and external-facing materials to support advocacy and public engagement.
• Identify and promote opportunities for bipartisan engagement with policymakers and stakeholders.
• Maintain regular communication and coordination with the Head of Policy on progress toward goals, challenges, and emerging priorities.
• Provide strategic leadership during critical legislative or administrative developments, responding rapidly to evolving policy environments.
• Supervise a team of policy and advocacy professionals focused on humanitarian issues.
• Hire, train, and manage humanitarian policy staff.
• Develop and coach the team, communicating organization, division, and department priorities and how their work supports the mission and values.
• Oversee performance management, goal setting, and professional development, including mid-year and annual performance reviews.
• Participate in the Government Relations Senior Management Team and align strategies across policy areas to achieve strategic and campaign goals.
• Represent Save the Children US in global humanitarian policy and advocacy teams.
• Prepare, contribute to, and review reports and other written materials related to humanitarian policy and advocacy, as well as key crises and conflicts.
• Develop relationships with peers in other Save the Children member, regional, and country offices, and with international organizations.
• Track progress toward objectives and grant deliverables, contributing to reporting and administration.
• Assist with the completion of quarterly and yearly reporting.
• Contribute to department strategy, annual work planning, budgeting, and fundraising.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience, plus at least 10 years of relevant experience.
• Proven experience in legislative/lobbying, government relations, or humanitarian policy advocacy, including on Capitol Hill or a relevant federal agency.
• Familiarity with the legislative process, including authorization and appropriations.
• Ability to build and maintain bipartisan relationships and navigate politically diverse environments.
• Strong people and program management experience, including planning, prioritization, and execution skills, and managing multiple priorities.
• Strategic thinker with strong analytic skills.
• Experience working in coalitions or cross-sector policy alliances.
• Proven ability to communicate and work collaboratively across teams at all levels, leveraging others’ strengths and buy-in.
• Ability to adapt to changing environments and develop creative solutions to strategic challenges.
• Position based in Washington, DC requiring attendance of in-person meetings on Capitol Hill, the Executive Branch, and with coalition partners.
• Professional proficiency in MS Office suite.
• Professional proficiency in spoken and written English.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in and managing people in large, complex, global organizations.

Compensation

• Geo 1 – NY Metro, DC, and other high-cost locations: Target salary $143,650-$160,550 base.
• Geo 2 – National labor-cost average locations: Target salary $130,900-$146,300 base.
• Geo 3 – Below-average locations: Target salary $116,875-$130,625 base.

About Us

• Flexible schedules, generous PTO, 11 paid holidays plus 2 floating holidays, and hybrid working opportunities.
• Competitive health, dental, and vision coverage for you and your family.
• A variety of paid leaves: caregiver, parental/adoption, critical child illness, and fertility benefits.
• Annual merit increases and/or additional incentives for eligible employees.
• Retirement savings plan with employer contributions (after one year).
• 15 safety and wellness days annually (prorated to 8 days if hired after July 1), plus mental health benefits and support through Calm and company-hosted events.
• Free and confidential assessments, short-term counseling, referrals, and follow-up services via Employee Assistance Program.
• Access to internal and external learning & development opportunities and mentorships.

Save the Children is committed to conducting its programs and operations in a manner that is safe for the children it serves and protecting children from abuse. All representatives are explicitly prohibited from engaging in any activity that may result in child abuse.

Save the Children is committed to minimizing safety and security risks for employees, providing training, support, and information to reduce risk exposure while maximizing program impact. If you require disability assistance with the application or recruitment process, please submit a request to applicantsupport@savechildren.org.