Business Planning & Policy Specialist

Overview

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

Responsibilities

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

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