Founded in 2016, EdAllies is a Minnesota-based education advocacy nonprofit that partners with schools, families, and communities to ensure that every young Minnesotan has access to a rigorous and engaging education. We advance policies that put underserved students first, remove barriers facing successful schools and programs, and foster an inclusive conversation about what’s possible for students.

 

To learn more, visit www.edalliesmn.org.

 

POSITION

EdAllies is seeking a Policy Director to build and implement strategic advocacy campaigns. The Policy Director will collaborate with the communications, research, and leadership staff to advance EdAllies’ policy work at the Capitol and with state agencies; build coalitions of school leaders, educators, parents, and students; and conduct outreach and education efforts regarding the impact of policy in both the legislative and implementation stages. The Policy Director will work on a portfolio of issues, including access to high quality school options, the teacher talent pipeline, college and career readiness, and other education equity issues. The Policy Director will work to strengthen EdAllies’ presence in policymaking spaces, supporting key advocacy functions while also building relationships with and elevating the voices of educators and families. The Policy Director will have a passion for family empowerment and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

 

The Policy Director will report to the Executive Director. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Policy Director will work remotely in the short-term, but must be available for on-site work out of the EdAllies office in Minneapolis and for local meetings once it is determined safe.

 

RESPONSIBILITIES

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Seeking out, building, and maintaining positive working relationships with partners across the education landscape, including schools and school leaders, educators, parents, community leaders, and fellow advocates;
• Working with partners to understand key opportunities and barriers, and developing and executing advocacy campaigns grounded in student needs;
• Convening and advancing coalition work with diverse stakeholders;
• Launching strategic campaigns to drive meaningful policy change;
• Developing materials to support student-centered policy initiatives, grounded in the needs of local stakeholders, relevant research, and understanding of political landscape;
• Leading the team’s legislative work by building relationships with policymakers and legislative staff, scheduling and attending meetings and hearings, reporting back to the team with relevant updates and opportunities, and coordinating testimony and other advocacy tactics;
• Keeping partners informed of key policy issues to advance legislation, implement policy, and support their ongoing engagement in advocacy;
• Serving as a public-facing ambassador for the organization through testimony, media interviews, service on task forces and committees, blog writing, and more;
• Collaborating closely with team members to advance EdAllies' mission and vision.

 

QUALIFICATIONS

Candidates should possess a strong commitment to EdAllies’ mission, and to education equity more broadly. The ideal candidate has:

• Strong relationship-building skills with demonstrated experience working in diverse communities;
• Strong communication skills, including comfort with public speaking and strong writing skills, with the ability to convey accurate, persuasive messages to multiple audiences;
• Experience facilitating coalitions and/or organizing groups around advocacy goals;
• Familiarity with the Minnesota political and legislative processes and eagerness to engage in work at the legislature;
• Demonstrated understanding of effective policy advocacy strategies and tactics;
• Familiarity with local education landscape and/or current education policy debates;
• Commitment to principles of student-centered education, education equity, and parent choice;
• Ability to adapt and thrive in a fast-paced, rapidly changing environment, self-direct and prioritize among competing goals, and to work both independently and collaboratively;
• A commitment to integrity (doing what’s right, even when it is uncomfortable), transparency, candor, and collaboration;
• Personal experience or connection that drives a passion for the work preferred;
• 5+ years of experience in education, advocacy, organizing, government relations, public policy, or related field; and,
• Commitment to operating with EdAllies’ core values of equity, inventiveness, humility, honesty, and courage.

 

COMPENSATION

The position pays an annual salary of $75,000-$80,000, based on qualifications and experience. EdAllies also provides a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical and dental insurance, paid leave, matching retirement contributions, and more.

 

HOW TO APPLY

Interested candidates should send the following to Bethany Israelson, Operations Manager, at bisraelson@edalliesmn.org, with “Policy Director Application” in the subject line:

• cover letter,
• résumé.

 

Deadline: Priority given to applications submitted by November 8.

 

WHAT TO EXPECT

Our team will review applications and schedule half-hour interviews with first-round candidates in early November. We will select a smaller pool of finalists for more in-depth interviews in mid-/late-November. We may ask for work samples at this time. Our ideal start date for the new Policy Director is Jan. 4, 2021.

 

 

EdAllies is an equal opportunity employer.

We strongly encourage applications from diverse candidates. All decisions regarding recruiting and hiring will be made without unlawful discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, age, pregnancy, disability, work-related injury, covered veteran status, political ideology, genetic information, marital status, or any other factor that the law protects from employment discrimination.