Head of Government Relations

Summary

Join Wonderschool as the Head of Government Relations and play a pivotal role in shaping the future of childcare through public policy advocacy. This leadership position involves operationalizing and scaling our state government relations strategy, building strong relationships with key government stakeholders, and influencing critical childcare legislation across multiple states. You will define policy positions, implement policy campaigns, and manage relations with external consultancies and trade associations. Success in this role requires a proven track record of operational and managerial excellence, legislative wins, and effective advocacy with senior government authorities. The ideal candidate will excel at translating high-level vision into executable plans and managing complex projects. This position is based in the Bay Area with a requirement of at least three days a week in the San Francisco office.

Requirements

• Have 8+ years of experience building and leading strong government relations or public policy teams at technology companies
• Have demonstrated legislative wins to advance business priorities
• Have a track record of effective, information-rich advocacy with senior government regulatory authorities across multiple states
• Experience hiring and managing State consultants
• Excel at translating high-level vision into executable operational plans
• Have demonstrated success in managing complex, cross-functional projects involving multiple senior stakeholders
• Must be located in the Bay Area and available to be in the SF at least 3 days a week

Responsibilities

• Work closely with company leadership to define policy positions, implement policy campaigns, and influence critical childcare legislation
• Build and maintain strong working relationships with key government stakeholders, including elected officials and their staff, relevant agencies and regulators, and industry associations; work with relevant stakeholders to influence legislation and shape policies favorable to the company's interests
• Build and create systems and processes to implement and operationalize pioneering policy positions that will shape the future of childcare in multiple states
• Lead government relations and State consulting efforts; manage relations with external consultancies, and trade associations as needed
• Design and manage processes for executing sophisticated state consulting and engagement strategies with key policymakers, coalitions, and partners, in every state where we do business
• Prepare testimony, presentations, and messaging documents to clearly articulate the company's stance on political and regulatory issues to state governmental audiences
• Identify external events and forums for engagement with public sector leaders
• Develop talking points, policy narratives, and presentation materials for external communications

Benefits

• Health benefits offer up to 100% coverage for employee premiums and up to 80% for dependents
• Wifi, Employee Wellness, and co-working space reimbursements offered to all employees
• A flexible PTO plan, paid holidays, and mental wellness days
• Highly competitive parental leave policies, eligible to qualified individuals after 6-months of employment