Business Planning and Policy Specialist

For over 35 years, Youth Villages has transformed the lives of children and families nationwide through innovative, research-based programs focused on preserving and restoring families.

As a national leader in children’s mental and behavioral health, we serve more than 47,000 youth, young people, and their families annually across 29 states and Washington, D.C. Our proven treatment models drive long-term success in child welfare, juvenile justice, and mental health systems. At Youth Villages, we do what works — partnering with others to expand our impact and advocate for meaningful, lasting change.

We're seeking purpose-driven individuals who are passionate about making a difference. With a dedicated team of more than 5,000 staff, Youth Villages is committed to investing in and supporting our employees by offering opportunities to build a fulfilling career through professional growth, personal development, and a mission that matters— helping children and families live successfully.

For more information, please visit www.youthvillages.org

Position Overview:

The Business Planning and Policy (BPP) Specialist will be responsible for supporting program leadership by driving business development, strategy, and government relations efforts in their assigned portfolio of states.  The BBP Specialist primarily focuses on growth, expansion, and sustainability of Youth Villages programming in addition to public policy and thought leadership initiatives.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
The Business Planning and Policy Specialist:
 

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

• Leads and/or contributes to meetings and presentations with key external stakeholders (including potential funders, state/county agencies, and lawmakers)

• Assists state leadership with policy and legislative priorities and action steps

• Supports technical writing ( including proposal writing) as well as composing letters and emails, developing PowerPoints, etc.

• Creates budgets and analyzes financials to support business development decision-making

• Collaborates with internal leadership, including other support departments (such as Strategy, Strategic Partnerships, Communications, Finance, etc.)

• Researches growth opportunities, cultivates relationships, and introduces proposals and services to potential funders (in conjunction with state and department leadership)

• Reviews 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

• Researches 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

• Identifies and articulates how desk research does or does not support growth or expansion strategies within assigned states

• Completes research related to department priorities, initiatives, and opportunities

Strategy Implementation

• Works closely with state leadership to drive expansion of Youth Villages services in assigned states (create and revise state strategy plans in collaboration with the state leadership, monitor RFP opportunities, lead RFP response efforts, generate new rates/budgets, work in collaboration with the state on a robust relationship management/building process, etc.)

• Identifies and articulates reasons why an opportunity would be of interest or not of interest to Youth Villages

• Carries out identified strategies and tactics for growth, system influence, and/or thought leadership

• Facilitates and contributes to the planning process for assigned states (which occurs annually) and other special projects

• Engages internal leadership in the planning process in a collaborative way

Additional Information:

As a member of the BPP Department, the BPP Specialist must be flexible with additional job duties, including but not limited to conference attendance and contract adherence processes.

• Up to 30% travel is required, including evening and overnight travel

• Flexible/non-traditional schedule may be required, at times, to meet time-sensitive deadlines

Qualifications:

• Master's degree (preferred)

• Bachelor's degree (required)

  • Specific degrees and coursework in public policy, public administration, political science, and/or social work (required)

• At least 6 months of leadership experience (preferred)

• Experience related to negotiating contracts with funders and/or knowledge of funding sources (preferred)

• Experience in government relations, proposal writing, desk research, and budgeting  (preferred)

• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail

• Excellent written, verbal, and oral skills

• Ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously

• Ability to engage audiences easily and function in an in-person or virtual environment

• Ability to think critically and conceptualize complex problems

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office products (specifically Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Teams, and Outlook)

Youth Villages Benefits

• Medical, Dental, Prescription Drug Coverage and Vision

• 401(k)

• Time off:

• • 2 week paid vacation (full-time) / 1 week paid vacation (part-time)

  • 12 paid sick days per year

  • 11 paid holidays

• Paid Parental Leave

• Mileage & Cell Phone Reimbursement (when applicable)

• Tuition reimbursement and licensure supervision

• Growth & development through continuous training

• Clinical and administrative advancement opportunities

*Benefits are excluded for variable status employees.

Youth Villages is an equal opportunity employer and provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

Youth Villages is committed to not only advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace but also in our work with children and young adults. We know that children, families and young people of color can face inequity in child welfare and justice systems, and we train our employees to build the skills they need to work with the communities that we serve, as well as, other employees from different cultures and backgrounds. Youth Villages is opposed to racism in any of its forms and is committed to inclusion, equity, and diversity. We believe that respect for each other is crucial in the work that we do each day.