Director of Government Affairs

Salary Range for NY Tristate Area - $155, ,022.00 USD - For remote candidates, the salary range will be adjusted based on the applicant's state of residence.

About Child Mind Institute

We're dedicated to transforming the lives of children and families struggling with mental health and learning disorders by giving them the help they need. We've become the leading independent nonprofit in children's mental health by providing gold-standard evidence-based care, delivering educational resources to millions of families each year, training educators in underserved communities, and developing tomorrow's breakthrough treatments.

Position Details:

As part of the National Programs team, you will report to the Senior Vice President, National Programs. As the Director of Government Affairs, you will lead our efforts to engage and influence policymakers at the city, state, and federal levels, and expand public revenue to support our mission. You will lead fundraising, and advocacy efforts while building strategic partnerships with public agencies, elected officials, and policymakers in multiple states. You will have experience working across state and federal systems, an understanding of diverse public sector funding sources and mechanisms, and a record of securing those resources. This includes experience with government grants, contracts, appropriations, and other public funding instruments. The position requires political judgment, a strong grasp of intergovernmental processes, and the ability to operate effectively across jurisdictions.

This is an exempt, full-time position which requires four (4) days per week in our NYC headquarters office, as determined by your supervisor.

While this position is benchmarked as an in-office role based in New York City, we are also open to remote candidates within the United States. The role cannot be performed in states where CMI is not licensed, including Ohio, North Dakota, Washington, and Wyoming. Applicants must be legally authorized to work in their state of residence, and the salary range will be adjusted based on the applicant's state of residence.

You Will:

• Government Relations & Advocacy
  • Lead and coordinate government relations strategies across multiple states and federal agencies.
  • Build and maintain trusted relationships with elected officials, agency leaders, and coalition partners.
  • Monitor and analyze policy, regulatory, and budget developments relevant to child and adolescent mental health, education, and family well-being.
  • Draft policy briefs, testimony, position statements, and talking points for organizational leaders.
  • Facilitate strategic engagements between executive leadership and public sector decision-makers.
• Public Sector Fundraising
  • Identify and pursue diverse public funding opportunities, including grants, contracts, appropriations, and other mechanisms at the state and federal levels.
  • Lead or support proposal development and submission in collaboration with program, finance, and development teams.
  • Cultivate and steward relationships with public funders to position the organization as a trusted partner and thought leader.
  • Track and manage funding pipelines, timelines, and requirements across multiple states.
• Leadership & Collaboration
  • Represent the organization externally in policy coalitions, task forces, and public events.
  • Manage and coordinate contract lobbyists, policy consultants, and state-level representatives.
  • Regularly report progress, risks, and opportunities to executive leadership.

You will be responsible for recruiting and onboarding new staff, delegating work assignments, setting goals and expectations, delivering training and professional development opportunities, evaluating performance, delivering feedback and coaching, modeling organizational values, and fostering team cooperation and collaboration.

This position requires travel domestically up to 30%.

You Have:

• 10 years of experience in government relations, public affairs, or public sector fundraising, with demonstrated success in securing public funding and influencing policy outcomes.
• Bachelor's degree.
• Extensive relationships and experience engaging with government entities at both state and federal levels, ideally across multiple states.
• Deep understanding of legislative, regulatory, and budget processes affecting health, education, and human services sectors.
• Proven ability to identify, secure, and manage diverse public funding streams, including grants, contracts, appropriations, and reimbursement models.
• Exceptional strategic planning and relationship-building.
• Produce policy-informed materials.
• Passion for improving the lives of children and families, particularly those facing mental health and learning challenges.
• Ability to sit or stand for extended periods, operate standard office equipment (including computers, phones, copiers, and printers), perform repetitive tasks, and communicate effectively with others. Occasional lifting of up to 20 pounds may also be required.

Our Benefits

Our great compensation package and benefits include medical, dental, vision and life insurance, 401(k), paid parental leave, dependent care, discounted tickets and entertainment perks programs. For more information about our benefits, please visit our employee benefits website.

Pay Range

The salary range for the position is posted. Factors such as candidate's work experience, education/training, job-related skills, internal peer equity, as well as market and business considerations affect the salary offered within this range. In addition, this salary may be subject to a geographic adjustment (according to a specific city and state and depending on the role), if an authorization is granted to work outside of the location listed in this posting.

EEO Disclaimer

Child Mind Institute is committed to fostering an inclusive and equitable workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind.