Senior Manager, Federal Policy

About the Role

The Senior Manager, Federal Policy leads the day-to-day execution and shapes SchoolHouse Connection’s federal policy agenda for children, youth, and families experiencing homelessness. We seek a strong federal policy professional with substantial Capitol Hill experience who can build bipartisan relationships, navigate fast-moving federal developments, translate complex policy issues into clear, persuasive strategies and materials, and connect SHC’s practitioner network directly with federal policymakers to advance change.

This position reports directly to the Executive Director.

What You’ll Do

1.  Advance SHC’s federal policy strategy 

In collaboration with the Executive Director, shape SHC’s federal policy strategy across early childhood, K-12 education, and higher education, including related housing and homelessness policies, and lead its execution across congressional and administrative channels.

• Lead SHC’s campaigns on priority federal legislation and annual appropriations.
• Identify opportunities to advance SHC’s federal policy agenda, including cultivating legislative and policy champions and strategies for engaging them.
• Monitor and analyze federal legislation, regulations, and administrative actions related to the early care, education, and well-being of children and youth experiencing homelessness.
• Build and maintain strong bipartisan relationships with congressional staff, executive branch officials, and other federal policymakers.
• Track and document SHC’s interactions with policymakers and federal agency staff.
• Represent SHC in coalitions, policy meetings, advocacy trainings, and conferences relevant to federal policy.

2. Develop strategic policy communications and advocacy tools

• Translate complex federal policy issues into clear, accurate, and compelling messages for policymakers, partners, and SHC’s broader network.
• Write issue briefs, public comments, position papers, talking points, action alerts, newsletter articles, blogs, and other policy and advocacy materials for a range of audiences.
• Shape advocacy materials and strategies that inform, mobilize, and engage SHC’s network and partners.

3. Connect local communities to SHC’s federal policy advocacy

• Work with SHC practitioner networks to ensure SHC’s advocacy reflects conditions in local communities and the experience of children, youth, and families experiencing homelessness.
• Organize and connect members of SHC’s network directly to federal policymakers through virtual and in-person meetings.
• Stay informed about emerging state and local developments and trends in education, early care, housing, homelessness, and related policy areas.
• Position SHC to respond effectively to emerging issues, shifting policy landscapes, and new opportunities.

4. Coordinate internally across SHC teams

• Collaborate with SHC’s early childhood, K-12, higher education, and Youth Leadership & Scholarship teams to ensure federal advocacy is informed by practitioner expertise and the experiences of children, youth, and families experiencing homelessness, and to create opportunities for youth to engage directly with policymakers.
• Partner with SHC’s state policy, research and evaluation, and communications teams to align advocacy strategies, incorporate emerging research and policy developments, and leverage media and public messaging to advance federal policy priorities.

What We’re Looking For

You have a track record of results and effectively working across policy areas. You think and act strategically, communicate persuasively, and build trust across political and organizational lines. You navigate fast-moving developments and produce excellent work while managing competing priorities.

Required Experience and Knowledge

• At least 7 years of experience in federal public policy, including substantial experience working with Congress and congressional staff. Direct experience working on Capitol Hill strongly preferred.
• Strong knowledge of federal legislative, administrative, and regulatory processes.
• Substantial knowledge of federal education policy, with the ability to quickly develop expertise across all of SHC's policy priorities, from early childhood through higher education. Knowledge of federal housing and homelessness policies is a plus.
• Demonstrated experience writing clear, persuasive policy and advocacy materials for varied audiences.
• Experience building bipartisan relationships and working effectively with policymakers, partners, and stakeholders across a wide range of viewpoints.

Key Strengths for Success

• Strong strategic thinking, including the ability to identify creative pathways in changing or difficult policy environments.
• Excellent bipartisan relationship-building skills and diplomatic judgment.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills: precise, clear, accurate, and persuasive.
• Ability to recognize emerging opportunities and translate policy analysis into timely, effective action.
• Strong project management and organizational skills, including the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines at once.
• High standards, strong initiative, close attention to detail, and the ability to work independently while collaborating closely with others.
• Ability to motivate and engage others in advancing SHC’s policy goals.

Location: Washington, DC metropolitan area. Remote, with regular in-person meetings on Capitol Hill.
Travel: 3-5 trips per year
Position Type: Full-time
Salary: $105,000-$120,000
Benefits: Work from home, flexible schedule, generous leave, health insurance reimbursement, 403(b) plan with employer contribution, and professional growth opportunities.

Why Join SchoolHouse Connection?

At SHC, you’ll help shape and lead federal advocacy that expands access to early care and education for children and youth experiencing homelessness. You’ll join a small, collaborative team that has achieved significant federal policy changes: increasing funding for K-12 students experiencing homelessness, removing financial aid barriers for homeless youth, and securing protections for young children in Head Start and the Child Care and Development Fund. You’ll also have access to a national network of early care providers, educators, service providers, and young people to bring directly to policymakers. The role offers growth opportunities as SHC’s federal work expands.

Compensation & Benefits

SchoolHouse Connection offers the following benefits to support employees' personal and professional well-being:

Our benefits include:

• Health Insurance Reimbursement. SHC provides the maximum allowable employer-funded reimbursement for health insurance premiums and other eligible healthcare expenses through a Qualified Small Employer Health Reimbursement Arrangement (QSEHRA). Employees can select their own health insurance coverage, with an annual reimbursement allowance for those with qualifying dependents that is approximately double the individual rate.
• Paid Time Off. Employees start with 12 vacation days, 3 personal days, and 10 sick days annually. Vacation allocations increase significantly after three, six, and ten years of service.
• Year-End Closure. SHC provides a two-week paid closure at the end of each calendar year, separate from employees’ regular vacation and other paid leave benefits.
• Paid Holidays. SHC observes all federal holidays and the day after Thanksgiving, as well as up to two additional paid days for religious observances.
• Paid Family & Medical Leave. SHC provides up to 12 weeks per year of paid family and medical leave, with 100% wage replacement for qualifying employees.
• Retirement Savings. Through SHC's 403(b) retirement plan, employees may make individual pre-tax contributions, and SHC makes an employer contribution equal to 3% of annual salary, with no employee contribution required and full vesting after 90 days.
• Technology & Business Expense Reimbursement. SHC employees receive $1,000 per year in reimbursement for work-related technology expenses and a one-time $500 reimbursement for personally purchased work-related equipment.

Equal Opportunity

SchoolHouse Connection provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, medical condition, genetics, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, and local laws. Upon request, reasonable accommodations in the application process will be provided to individuals with disabilities.

Application Guidelines

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and early applications are encouraged. 

For priority consideration, please apply by November 13, 2026. The position will remain open until filled.

Applications are accepted only via the form provided here. We will reach out to those selected for an interview.

To ensure a fair and consistent experience for all candidates, we will not respond to individual outreach or schedule conversations outside of the formal hiring process.