Manager, Education & Workforce Policy

COMPANY OVERVIEW:
Our client is a non-profit, professional association for Occupational Therapy Practitioners with a mission to advance occupational therapy practice, education, and research.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Manager of Education & Workforce Policy is a high-impact policy and advocacy position responsible for leading our client's federal strategy across education, workforce, and school-based practice issues. The role drives legislative and regulatory initiatives impacting occupational therapy in K–12 education, early intervention, higher education, and workforce development, and leads the organization as a thought leader in federal education and workforce policy.

An occupational therapy practitioner is strongly preferred, however candidates with comparable experience in other special education or related-service fields will be considered. All candidates must have a deep knowledge of IDEA and related federal education laws, regulations, and school-based practice policy, along with the ability to translate that expertise into strategic advocacy. The role requires advanced strategic thinking, long-term planning, and policy development, along with independent judgment, high-level relationship management skills, and the ability to educate our organization's members and external stakeholders on complex policy issues. This position reports to the Vice President of Federal Affairs and Regulatory Policy. This position requires registration as a federal lobbyist under the Lobbying Disclosure Act (LDA)

POSITION SPECIFIC DUTIES:

- Monitor, analyze, and interpret federal legislative and regulatory activity related to IDEA, ESSA, workforce development, and school-based practice policy
- Develop and execute federal advocacy strategies including legislative and regulatory proposals, informed by emerging policy trends and strategic analysis.
- Represent our organization in meetings with Congressional offices, federal agencies, coalition partners, and external stakeholders
- Independently cultivate and maintain relationships with policymakers, education policy leaders, and national coalition partners
- Serve as our organizations' lead representative in education and workforce coalitions and strategic partnerships
- Translate complex federal policy into clear, actionable information for the organization's members and external audiences through communications such as presentations, web articles and member other member resources.
- Lead member education efforts on education and workforce policy issues and support grassroots advocacy engagement
- Support AOTPAC engagement activities as part of strategic relationship-building efforts with policymakers
- Collaborate with internal teams including State Affairs, Practice, Communications, and Membership to align policy and advocacy efforts with other organizational initiatives.
- Attend and represent our organization at advocacy events, coalition meetings, conferences, and federal engagement activities
- Perform other duties as assigned

Requirements

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE/SKILLS:

- Occupational Therapy Practitioner (OTP) strongly preferred; candidates with comparable experience in special education leadership, school psychology, related services administration, education policy, or school-based practice will also be considered.
- Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree in Occupational Therapy, Education, Special Education, Public Policy, School Psychology, Educational Leadership, or related field preferred.
- Preferred 5+ years of progressive experience in school-based practice, special education, education policy, workforce development, government affairs, association leadership, or related field.
- Deep knowledge of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), special education systems, and school-based service delivery, along with an understanding of the federal and/or state legislative and regulatory process required.
- Demonstrated experience engaging with policymakers, agencies, coalitions, advocacy organizations, educational institutions, or professional associations at the state or federal level.
- Experience with coalition leadership, advocacy campaigns, member engagement strategies, or professional association work preferred.
- Strong strategic thinking, policy analysis, and problem-solving skills.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including drafting policy materials and stakeholder communications, and ability to translate complex policy into clear audience-specific messaging.
- Demonstrated ability to operate independently with sound judgment and executive presence.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities and work in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment.
- Active involvement with our organization, state occupational therapy associations, education organizations, or related professional associations preferred.

WORK ENVIRONMENT (Hybrid):

- This position operates in a primarily remote environment, with flexibility to be based outside the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area.
- Ability to travel periodically for advocacy meetings, coalition engagement, conferences, organizational events, and occasional in-person meetings in Washington, D.C.
- Access to our Bethesda, Maryland headquarters and Washington, D.C. workspace is available as needed.
We are an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.