Vice President, Government and Community Relations

Easterseals Southern California transforms lives every day. For over a century, Easterseals has championed inclusion and independence—delivering essential services like early childhood programs, autism services, employment and independent living support to more than 29,000 people each year. Through advocacy and education, we break barriers and create opportunities for the one-in-four Americans with disabilities. 

OVERVIEW OF POSITION:

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• In conjunction with the CAO and in consultation with the leadership, supports the development and execution of policy priorities that advance the Vision & Impact Plan.
• Leads the development of ESSC’s multi-year policy and government relations agenda, including legislative, budget, and regulatory priorities at the local, state and federal levels.
• Develops broad and deep expertise regarding ESSC service provision and organizational priorities and translates operational experience, data, and community impact into policy proposals, public funding strategies, and regulatory engagement.
• In direct consultation with the Executive Team, serves as ESSC’s lead strategist on local, state, and federal legislative, budget, and regulatory issues and priorities pertaining to disability and access.
• Leads legislative, budget, and administrative advocacy efforts including sponsorship strategies, bill tracking and position development, coalition-based advocacy, budget requests, and engagement with state and local administrative agencies on implementation issues affecting ESSC services.
• Supervises government and community relations staff and builds internal capacity for policy analysis, advocacy strategy, and effective government engagement across service lines.
• Serves as key organizational representative and leverages strategic relationships with elected decision makers and their staff, agency officials, external partners, coalitions, corporations and other key audiences to advance ESSC’s organizational priorities.
• Ensures effective coordination of communication and activity tracking amongst service lines in regard to government relations activities outcomes, and alignment with organizational policy priorities.
• Supports the Easterseals National Government Relations efforts and partners with Easterseals Affiliates on federal policy, serving as ESSC’s primary liaison to Easterseals National on federal policy, funding, and regulatory matters and ensuring alignment with California-focused priorities.
• Serves as a key media spokesperson on advocacy and policy issues, in coordination with organizational leadership.
• Leads and supports ESSC’s coalition building efforts and work collaboratively on joint efforts with coalition partners and allies.
• Works in conjunction with CAO on government grant activities, aligning public funding and grant strategies with policy priorities, regulatory requirements, and advocacy efforts.
• Responsible for budget development, implementation and administration to ensure actions follow organizational policy and fiscal parameters.
• Other duties as assigned by CAO and Executive Team.

EDUCATION:

• Bachelor’s degree required, preferably in fields related to the core responsibilities.
• Advanced degree in economics, economic policy, or health and human services–related fields strongly encouraged.

EXPERIENCE:

• Minimum 10-15 years of progressive experience.
• Experience serving organizations focus on equity, inclusion, and access.
• 7+ years of senior government relations and/or public policy experience, with a demonstrated ability for policy agenda–setting and advocacy execution, strongly preferred within state or local government.
• Demonstrated experience engaging in legislative, budget, and regulatory processes, including coalition-based advocacy and public funding strategies.
• 5+ years of government grant experience, with a strong track record of developing grant‑writing strategies and coordinating with stakeholders to scope and meet needs.
• Experience building or scaling a government relations or policy function highly preferred.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES:

• Demonstrated track record of working on cross-functional teams for mission-driven organizations.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and advance public policy strategies grounded in service delivery, data, and community impact.
• Strong understanding of local, state, and federal legislative, budget, and regulatory processes.
• Strong research, analysis, and writing skills for policy positions, legislative materials, and advocacy communications.
• Broad perspective driven by diverse experience.
• Ability to communicate effectively and advocate for priorities, with executives as well as with internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to synthesize and communicate technical and complex information to both expert and non-expert audiences.
• Strong interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills, and an ability to reach a wide range of individuals and forge consensus.
• Track record of including stakeholder consultation and data-driven policy development.
• Understanding of budget and financial analysis to inform strategy, projects, and funding needs.
• Ability to work across disparate organizational cultures. Ability to work within and lead cross-functional teams.
• Demonstrated knowledge of developing public private partnerships.
• Development of successful business development strategies.
• Proven track record of successfully delivering complex programs and projects on time, within budget and meeting quality standards.
• Ability to highlight connection between organizational strategy and projects.
• Strong project management skills and utilization of project management disciplines and tools that match priorities.
• Ability to balance competing priorities and diverse projects.
• Demonstrated strength in various writing styles, including for grants, marketing, and communication purposes.
• Excellent research, analysis, and reporting skills.
• Equally capable of working independently and as a part of a strong team.
• Comfort and experience with data analytics tools, such as Excel, Tableau, and similar platforms.
• Demonstrated proficiency with MS Office applications (Outlook, Word, Excel, etc.)
• Must pass all drug testing required by ESSC.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS IN ACCORDANCE WITH ADA:

• Carrying/Lifting:

Occasional / 0-10 lbs.

• Standing:

Occasional / Up to 3 hours per day.

• Sitting:

Constant / Up to 8 hours per day.

• Walking:

Occasional / Up to 3 hours per day.

• Travel:

Up to 20% of time.

• Repetitive Motion/Activity:

Keyboard activity, telephone use, writing.

• Visual Acuity:

Ability to view computer monitor and read newsprint.

• Environmental Exposure:

None.