Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption - Business Development Senior Associate

“If we can get one child adopted into a loving family, all our work will be worth it.” – Dave Thomas
 
Join us as we champion our mission to dramatically increase the number of adoptions of children waiting in North America’s foster care systems. We’ve helped to find safe, permanent homes for more than 15,000 young people across the United States and Canada, but our mission is not complete. Invest your career in making a difference and join the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption’s team.  
 
We offer a supportive workplace where you can make an impact. We are dedicated to creating a diverse, inclusive and equitable work environment for Foundation staff, while advocating for measurable change toward racial equity within the child welfare system.
 
We are looking for excellent talent to support our mission. Located in Dublin, Ohio 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”).  If you're a problem solver with a pulse on emerging issues, energized by research, have deep knowledge of child welfare and bring substantial communications experience we encourage you to learn more and apply.  

Key Deliverables

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. 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
4. 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

• 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 
• Proficient in developing, writing and editing advocacy and communications materials for meetings with external stakeholders, legislators, legislative staff and state and federal department leaders
• 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

• Flexible, hybrid schedule arrangement for most positions allowing employees to choose to work from home up to two days a week
• First day of hire medical, dental and vision insurance coverage for you and your family
• Employer-funded health reimbursement account (HRA). The HRA is a tax-advantaged account, funded solely by the employer to help you pay for medical expenses.
• Employer-paid basic life insurance, short-term disability and long-term disability
• Eligibility for a 403(b)-retirement match program up to 5% after the first year of employment
• Adoption-Friendly Workplace providing financial benefits and paid time off for adoptive parents
• Generous paid time off, including paid holidays, paid personal, vacation and sick days as well as parental leave, adoption leave and foster care leave
• A connected team environment that embraces a commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion
• Career advancement opportunities and continued education
• A comprehensive offering of additional voluntary benefits!