Application Guide

How to Apply for Senior Manager, Public Policy

at National Network to End Domestic Violence

🏢 About National Network to End Domestic Violence

NNEDV is unique as the leading national voice representing 56 state and territorial domestic violence coalitions, making it a powerful force for systemic change rather than direct service provision. Working here means influencing federal policy at the highest levels while being grounded in the real-world experiences of survivors and advocates across all 50 states. The organization's remote-first structure allows for national impact while maintaining deep connections to local coalitions.

About This Role

This Senior Manager role leads NNEDV's entire federal government relations strategy, with particular emphasis on housing policy—a critical barrier for domestic violence survivors. You'll be analyzing complex legislation, supervising policy staff, and directly shaping how billions in federal funding address domestic violence. Your work will determine whether survivors have safe housing options and whether federal policies actually meet their needs.

💡 A Day in the Life

You might start by analyzing overnight developments in House appropriations markups, then meet with your policy team to adjust advocacy strategies. Afternoon could involve briefing state coalition directors on federal housing policy opportunities, followed by drafting testimony for a Senate hearing. You'll likely end the day coordinating with partner organizations on joint advocacy efforts while tracking multiple legislative timelines.

🚀 Application Tools

Generate Cover Letter

AI-powered, tailored for National Network to End Domestic Violence

Interview Prep

Practice questions for this role

🎯 Who National Network to End Domestic Violence Is Looking For

  • Has 9+ years of hands-on federal policy experience with demonstrated success moving legislation through Congress, not just monitoring or reporting on it
  • Brings specific expertise in both appropriations processes AND housing policy, with domestic violence policy knowledge being a strong plus
  • Has managed policy staff before and can point to examples of developing team members' skills while maintaining advocacy momentum
  • Can analyze dense legislative text and translate it into actionable advocacy strategies that state coalitions can implement

📝 Tips for Applying to National Network to End Domestic Violence

1

Quantify your federal policy wins: Instead of 'worked on housing legislation,' specify 'secured $50M increase in FY2023 VAWA housing grants through amendments to H.R. 1234'

2

Highlight any experience bridging federal policy with state/local implementation, since NNEDV works through 56 state coalitions

3

Demonstrate you understand NNEDV's unique position as a coalition of coalitions—not a direct service provider or typical advocacy group

4

Include specific examples of housing policy work, even if not domestic violence-specific (e.g., Section 8, FHEPS, homeless services funding)

5

Show how you've supervised policy staff in a remote/hybrid environment, not just in-person teams

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Your specific experience with federal appropriations processes and housing policy legislation', 'Examples of successfully managing policy staff while maintaining high-level advocacy work', 'How your approach to policy advocacy centers marginalized voices and survivor perspectives', "Why NNEDV's coalition-based model appeals to you versus other advocacy organizations"]

Generate Cover Letter →

🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → NNEDV's current federal policy priorities and recent advocacy wins (check their policy blog and annual reports)
  • → The specific housing challenges domestic violence survivors face (beyond emergency shelters)
  • → How NNEDV's 56 state/territorial coalitions structure works—who are key members?
  • → Recent federal legislation affecting domestic violence funding (VAWA reauthorization, FVPSA, housing bills)
Visit National Network to End Domestic Violence's Website →

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Walk us through how you would develop a federal housing policy strategy that addresses both immediate survivor needs and long-term systemic change
2 How would you help state coalitions with varying capacity levels engage effectively with federal housing policy opportunities?
3 Describe a time you had to balance multiple high-priority policy portfolios simultaneously—how did you prioritize and manage staff?
4 What's your approach to building relationships with Congressional staff who may not initially prioritize domestic violence issues?
5 How would you measure success in this role beyond legislative wins?
Practice Interview Questions →

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Focusing only on direct service experience without connecting it to federal policy change
  • Generic advocacy language without specific examples of federal legislative strategy
  • Treating this as a generic policy role rather than one requiring deep housing policy expertise
  • Not understanding NNEDV's unique role as a coalition of coalitions rather than a direct service provider

📅 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

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to National Network to End Domestic Violence!

← Back to Job Listing Apply Now →