Business Development Senior Associate

Description

The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption is a national nonprofit public charity dedicated exclusively to finding permanent homes for the more than 140,000 children waiting in North America’s foster care systems. Created by Wendy’s® founder Dave Thomas, who was adopted, the Foundation implements evidence-based, results-driven national service programs, foster care adoption awareness campaigns and innovative grantmaking. 

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

With support from the senior director, business development, the business development senior associate will leverage their knowledge of child welfare systems to support the development of communication materials and to initiate, cultivate and maintain relationships with public and private leaders, influencers, elected officials and affinity groups in multiple states and jurisdictions to support scaling and sustaining the Foundation’s signature program, Wendy’s Wonderful Kids (“WWK”). 

ACCOUNTABILITIES

1. Support the ongoing management and stewardship of new and existing relationships in states where scaling is active or emerging, ensuring alignment with current initiatives and facilitating future growth opportunities
2. Support coordination with state and county child welfare departments, government leaders and relevant organizations and agencies to help identify and structure partnerships related to scaling WWK
3. Write, edit, and proofread communications materials to assist in expanding local engagement, education and advocacy through various approaches 
4. Collaborate with the senior director on engaging key stakeholders to expand efforts to elevate WWK visibility and importance among state and national child welfare leaders
5. Track, monitor and document business development and government relations activities and outcomes across states, including maintaining an accurate records of key contacts, engagement efforts and state- specific developments to inform strategic decision-making
6. Monitor and conduct in depth research of child welfare policy, legislative initiatives, funding trends and budget decisions to identify opportunities and potential impacts on Foundation scaling efforts across states
7. Identify local, state and regional collaboration opportunities and networks to support building strategic relationships; track legislative and regulatory developments, assesses potential impacts and share insights with internal stakeholders 

Requirements

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

• The following qualifications are representative of the knowledge, skills and/or abilities required to serve in this role. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including comfort and experience with communicating with state, county and nonprofit child welfare leaders, staff and other stakeholders, such as political and community members
• Proficient in developing, writing and editing advocacy and communications materials for meetings with external stakeholders, legislators, legislative staff and state and federal department leaders
• Experience in developing and implementing strategies to build and sustain strong relationships, with the ability to adapt to unique structures, processes and priorities of individual states; demonstrated success in fostering lasting partnerships with key stakeholders and partners
• Strong analytical and fiscal skills, with the ability to monitor, assess and report on fiscal policy developments, budget formulations and legislative funding decisions that align with the Foundations strategic goals
• Highly organized, thorough and detail oriented, with the ability to anticipate tasks, set priorities, meet deadlines and manage multiple projects with competing priorities
• Perceives organizational and political sensitivities and acts accordingly; ability to successfully work with diverse groups across political spectrum to forward the Foundation’s scaling and advocacy efforts 
• Child welfare systems expertise; knowledge of policy and programmatic issues related to child welfare and/or social services including areas such as foster care and adoption
• Proficient use of project management programs that aid internal communications (e.g., Asana)
• Adaptability and comfort working in ambiguous situations with proactive problem-solving abilities

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree in social work, public administration, business or related field required
• 4 + years' experience in child welfare or child welfare policy, social services or nonprofit required
• 2 + years’ experience in business development, government relations or communications 
• Experience partnering or working with federal and/or state government, advocacy groups business leaders, philanthropic partners, advocates, community organizers, field experts, judiciary and youth 

WORK ENVIRONMENT  

Moderate domestic travel required