• Policy Leadership: Lead policy advocacy campaigns across Voices’ strategic goals in youth mental health and provide policy analysis support to internal and external partners.
• Community Relationship Building: Lead and participate in coalitions within your focus area, serve as the main Voices liaison for partner organizations, and support coalitions and state workgroups working to create collective community impact.
• Youth-Centered Advocacy: Partner with the Director of Engagement and Virginia’s Youth in Action members to ensure youth voice and lived expertise are centered in policy recommendations.
• Strategic Communications: Work with the Communications Manager to develop advocacy materials including policy briefs, one-pagers, blogs, trainings, and presentations tied to your issue area.
• Racial Equity: Promote racial equity across all dimensions of your work, ensuring policies are assessed for their impact across communities.

• Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to clearly explain complex ideas.
• Confidence and effectiveness in public speaking.
• Knowledge of the Virginia state legislative process and evidence-based policymaking.
• At least 1 year of experience in state-level policy advocacy.
• Ability to build relationships with legislators, community members, partner organizations, and other stakeholders.
• Ability to work collaboratively across different backgrounds, beliefs, and values, and engage in conflict productively.
• Ability to analyze data and research to identify trends and inform policymaking.
• Strong commitment to social, economic, and racial justice, with a clear equity and inclusion lens.

• Highly organized, motivated, and detail-oriented.
• Knowledge and experience in the youth mental health domain.
• Experience with media or strategic communications.
• Experience with community engagement.

This role is based in Richmond, Virginia. Voices has a hybrid work schedule, with an in-office day on Wednesdays required. Additional in-person days in Richmond are required during the General Assembly session and throughout the year as needed.

Salary range is $60,000–$70,000. To preserve opportunity for salary growth, Voices does not hire above the mid-range.

We are a talented team motivated by the significance and impact of our work. Voices values its employees and their lives beyond work, and we maintain a flexible and supportive workplace.

• Fully covered health, dental, and vision employee premiums
• Access to health and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• 30 days of PTO and 12 paid holidays, plus paid parental leave
• Retirement plan with 3% employer contribution (no required match)
• Professional development stipend
• Monthly remote work stipend
• Flexible, hybrid work environment

A Note to Potential Candidates

Research shows that women, LGBTQ+ identified people, Black, Indigenous, and other people of color tend to apply to jobs only if they meet every single requirement listed. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive organization, and we strongly encourage you to apply even if you do not believe you meet every one of the qualifications described.

We’ll start reviewing applications after May 22, 2026, when the application closes. While our review process can take some time, that does not mean you are not being considered. Please be patient as we carefully evaluate each candidate.

Voices for Virginia’s Children is an equal opportunity employer, committed to inclusive hiring and dedicated to diversity in our work and staff. We strongly encourage candidates of all identities, experiences, and communities to apply. We recognize that the children and families of Virginia are unique in their backgrounds, beliefs, opportunities, and challenges, and we strive to reflect and honor that in our work. All applicants must be committed to sustaining and furthering these efforts.