Overview

The Director of Government Relations leads Bancroft’s proactive government affairs and advocacy strategy to protect and advance access to services for children and adults with autism, intellectual and developmental disabilities, and brain injuries. Reporting to the Chief Development Officer, the Director builds trusted relationships with public officials and agencies, anticipates policy and funding developments, translates emerging issues into operational and financial implications, and coordinates a unified organizational response.

 

The Director establishes and maintains a practical Government Relations Intelligence Dashboard that gives Bancroft leadership timely visibility into policy developments, stakeholders, organizational impacts, advocacy actions, and upcoming deadlines. The role works across programs, Clinical, Finance, Revenue Cycle, Quality, Admissions, Marketing and Development; functional leaders retain ownership of their operations and compliance obligations.

Responsibilities

1 | Legislative, regulatory and funding intelligence

• Continuously monitor proposed and enacted legislation, regulations, administrative guidance, budget actions, reimbursement policies and public funding opportunities at state, local and federal levels.
• Maintain a prioritized issue tracker showing jurisdiction, status, source, key dates, probability/trajectory, affected services, responsible internal lead and recommended next action.
• Identify emerging issues early, distinguish confirmed changes from proposals, and brief leadership on meaningful developments.

2 | Government and stakeholder relationship management

• Build and maintain a documented relationship map of elected officials, legislative staff, agency leaders, local officials, advocacy coalitions, community leaders and strategic partners.
• Capture relationship history, policy interests, prior Bancroft interactions, internal relationship owners, opportunities for engagement and follow-up commitments.
• Represent Bancroft at hearings, meetings, coalitions and community forums; coordinate leadership visits, site tours and outreach in partnership with the Chief Development Officer and executive team.

3 | Enterprise policy impact and risk assessment

• Consult program and support leaders to assess how potential changes could affect people served, families, workforce, licensing, operations, administrative workload, revenue and reimbursement.
• Prepare concise issue briefs that identify exposure, scenarios, implementation timelines, mitigation options and decisions needed; escalate material risks promptly.
• Coordinate with Finance and Revenue Cycle on policy implications, including Medicaid eligibility and redetermination processes, while those teams retain responsibility for eligibility workflows, billing and collections.

4 | Advocacy strategy, engagement and action calendar

• Develop an annual advocacy agenda aligned with Bancroft priorities and approved executive positions; coordinate a consistent organizational voice across services and jurisdictions.
• Maintain a forward-looking calendar of legislative sessions, hearings, budget cycles, public comment deadlines, agency meetings, community engagements and planned site visits.
• Prepare testimony, talking points, policy briefs and engagement plans; coordinate appropriate participation by leaders, staff and families, consistent with privacy, consent and organizational policies.
• Collaborate with Development and Finance to identify government grants, appropriations and utility funding opportunities; clarify proposal, compliance and reporting ownership before pursuit.

5 | Executive reporting, dashboard and accountability

• Create and maintain a concise, decision-ready Government Relations Intelligence Dashboard with the five areas of responsibility and a clear top-issues summary.
• Provide monthly reporting to the Chief Development Officer and periodic briefings to the President & CEO and other leaders, identifying top risks, opportunities, relationship activity, decisions required and action owners.
• Establish reliable information sources, update cadence, documentation standards, access controls and measures of advocacy progress; refine the system based on leadership feedback.

 

Cross-functional and community responsibilities

• Partner with Marketing and Communications on public positioning, executive visibility, community engagement and accurate communications about policy developments.
• Coordinate with service-line leaders and support teams to address local community concerns and sustain constructive relationships with host communities.
• Work constructively with government and licensing agencies during inspections or investigations, in coordination with appropriate operational, compliance and legal leaders.
• Manage external government affairs consultants or representatives when engaged, with clear objectives, ethical standards and reporting expectations.
• Follow Bancroft policies, confidentiality requirements, mission and values; undertake other related responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in public policy, government, political science, communications or a related field, or equivalent relevant professional experience, subject to HR approval.
• At least five years of progressively responsible experience in government relations, public affairs, policy analysis, legislative affairs or related advocacy; demonstrated ability to work with elected officials and government agencies.
• Ability to interpret complex legislative and regulatory information, synthesize implications for executives, manage multiple deadlines and maintain accurate tracking systems.
• Excellent writing, public speaking, relationship management, judgment, diplomacy and cross-functional collaboration skills.
• Ability to travel regionally and participate in occasional evening or weekend events; valid driver’s license when required for essential duties, subject to reasonable accommodation.

Preferred

• Established knowledge of New Jersey government, human services agencies and legislative processes; familiarity with Delaware and relevant federal policy.
• Experience in disability services, Medicaid-funded services, healthcare, education, nonprofit advocacy, government budgets or reimbursement policy.
• Experience building dashboards, policy trackers, CRM/stakeholder systems, advocacy calendars and executive briefing materials.