Reach Out and Read National Senior Director of Public Policy

The Opportunity

As the Senior Director of Public Policy, you will have the unique opportunity to, in partnership with the Chief External Affairs Officer, lead Reach Out and Read’s federal and Affiliate advocacy efforts, working to navigate complex political landscapes across geographies, shape public policy, and create funding opportunities that will advance our mission to integrate early literacy and relational health into pediatric care. A key piece of this work will be to set strategies to implement Reach Out and Read’s vision, mission, and Public Policy Agenda at the federal and state levels. This position is central to our long-term vision of scaling our model through public investments and pathways, fostering relationships with policymakers, and equipping Affiliates with the tools to address local political environments.

This Senior Director will be a dynamic, strategic advocate for Reach Out and Read, skilled at maneuvering legislative and regulatory systems, identifying opportunities, building relationships and partnerships, and cultivating champions who will advocate for Reach Out and Read. A member of the External Affairs team, the senior director will split their time between federal advocacy and supporting Reach Out and Read Affiliates in advancing their policy objectives within the National framework. The ideal candidate will be based in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area (DMV) and will play a key role in expanding the impact of Reach Out and Read nationwide.

Your Key Responsibilities Will Include:

Federal Policy and Advocacy

• Lead policy efforts to promote relational health, early brain development, early literacy, and school readiness through pediatric primary care.
• With Chief External Affairs Officer, direct the work of DC-based government relations firm to develop and implement a federal policy strategy, including:

• Leverage National and Affiliate leadership to build relationships with members of Congress, congressional staff, and federal agency leaders and cultivate champions who will advocate for Reach Out and Read.
• Engage with key federal agencies to build strategies and initiatives that integrate Reach Out and Read into relevant programs and funding streams.
• Provide guidance on navigating ongoing changes in the federal landscape and leveraging emerging opportunities to secure funding for Reach Out and Read.

• Manage a web-based legislative action platform that enables our network to contact federal and state policymakers via email, social media, and calls regarding key bills or advocacy efforts, including:
  • With External Affairs team, create platform content, ensuring messaging aligns with Reach Out and Read’s priorities and resonates with stakeholders.
  • Track legislation and determine campaign timing to mobilize supporters and maximize policy impact. Target messages based on vote position, bill sponsorship, committee, and more.
• Create compelling cases for support via comprehensive briefing materials, fact sheets, data summaries, presentations, and talking points tailored to specific legislative meetings.

Affiliate Policy and Advocacy Support

• Guide and support Reach Out and Read Affiliates in:
  • Strengthening relationships with state policymakers, public health agencies, and education officials.
  • Identifying and pursuing state and local funding opportunities, including via Medicaid and commercial insurance coding/billing options, CHIP, and managed care contracts.
• Provide strategic counsel to Affiliates on navigating policy and advocacy challenges, including coalition building, legislative engagement, and leveraging state and local partnerships.
• Work with National Development team and Affiliates to build strategic partnerships with Medicaid directors and Managed Care Organizations to position Reach Out and Read as an evidence-based intervention, identify and pursue funding opportunities, and advance value-based contracts that align with MCO’s quality, population health, and member experience goals.
• Develop and grow policy resources, toolkits, and templates for Affiliates to use in advocacy.
• Plan and deliver training sessions, webinars, and technical assistance to build Affiliates’ capacity in public policy and advocacy.
• Collaborate with Affiliates to use web-based advocacy platform to support their policy initiatives, providing guidance on or support of software usage and campaign development in their respective geographies.

• Oversee the development and maintenance of the Reach Out and Read policy archive, a centralized resource ca