Application Guide

How to Apply for Policy Director

at Mothers Against Media Addiction (MAMA)

๐Ÿข About Mothers Against Media Addiction (MAMA)

Mothers Against Media Addiction (MAMA) is a national organization uniquely focused on ending childhood screen addiction through advocacy, education, and policy change. Working here means joining a mission-driven team that directly impacts families and children's well-being, with a growing influence on state and federal legislation.

About This Role

As Policy Director, you will own MAMA's legislative and coalition strategy, translating opportunities into actionable pressure points for the organizing team. This role is impactful because you'll shape policies that protect children from addictive technology, working with lawmakers and coalitions to drive real change.

๐Ÿ’ก A Day in the Life

A typical day might start with monitoring legislative updates and drafting a weekly briefing for senior leadership. You'd then join a coalition call to align on strategy, followed by meetings with Hill staff to advocate for MAMA's priorities. Afternoon could involve analyzing a new bill and preparing talking points for the organizing team.

๐ŸŽฏ Who Mothers Against Media Addiction (MAMA) Is Looking For

  • Has 8-10+ years of federal congressional advocacy or coalition strategy experience, with a proven track record of building relationships with Hill staff and lawmakers.
  • Can analyze state and federal legislative landscapes to identify strategic opportunities and risks, and communicate them clearly to non-expert audiences.
  • Is a strong written and verbal communicator, able to translate complex policy dynamics for parents, organizers, and senior leadership.
  • Has experience working with advocacy coalitions and is adept at aligning diverse stakeholders around common goals.

๐Ÿ“ Tips for Applying to Mothers Against Media Addiction (MAMA)

1

Highlight specific federal legislative victories you've driven, especially those involving coalition building or bipartisan support.

2

Show your ability to track and analyze legislation by including examples of how you identified emerging trends and turned them into advocacy wins.

3

Demonstrate your relationship-building by naming key Hill staff or lawmakers you've worked with and the outcomes achieved.

4

Tailor your resume to emphasize experience with state-level policy trends, even if your primary focus has been federal.

5

In your cover letter, express a personal connection to MAMA's missionโ€”mention if you're a parent or passionate about child advocacy.

โœ‰๏ธ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Your experience in federal advocacy and coalition strategy, with concrete examples of legislative wins.', 'Your ability to translate complex policy into clear, compelling messages for diverse audiences (parents, organizers, media).', 'Your familiarity with child safety or tech policy issues, or your eagerness to dive into this specific niche.', 'Your strategic thinking in identifying pressure points and opportunities in the legislative landscape.']

Generate Cover Letter โ†’

๐Ÿ” Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • โ†’ Read MAMA's website and recent press releases to understand their current campaigns and policy priorities.
  • โ†’ Review the legislative landscape on kids' online safety, including bills like the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) and state-level efforts.
  • โ†’ Look into MAMA's coalition partners (e.g., Common Sense Media, Fairplay) to understand the broader advocacy ecosystem.
  • โ†’ Familiarize yourself with key lawmakers championing child safety issues, such as Senators Blumenthal and Blackburn.
Visit Mothers Against Media Addiction (MAMA)'s Website โ†’

๐Ÿ’ฌ Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 How would you prioritize competing state and federal legislative opportunities for MAMA?
2 Describe a time you built a coalition from scratch or unified stakeholders with differing priorities.
3 How do you stay informed on legislative developments and identify emerging risks or opportunities?
4 Walk us through how you would translate a complex policy bill into a simple call to action for parents.
5 What is your approach to building and maintaining relationships with Hill staff and lawmakers?
Practice Interview Questions โ†’

โš ๏ธ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Don't focus solely on federal experience without showing awareness of state-level trendsโ€”MAMA values both.
  • Avoid vague statements like 'I have strong advocacy skills'; instead, provide specific examples with measurable outcomes.
  • Don't overlook the importance of communication to non-expert audiences; prepare to show you can simplify complex policy.

๐Ÿ“… Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

โœ“

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to Mothers Against Media Addiction (MAMA)!