ABOUT THE DIRECTOR II OF TK-12 POLICY ROLEThe responsibilities and objectives for this role include, but are not limited, to the following:
Policy Strategy and Agenda Leadership:
- Establish and continuously adapt EdTrust-West's statewide TK12 policy agenda, identifying emerging opportunities, risks, and shifts in the political landscape, and recommending strategic organizational responses
- Serve as EdTrust-West's lead subject matter expert on TK-12 policy, guiding decision-making and strategy on priority issues
- Develop and advance clear, bold, politically viable and actionable policy positions informed by research, stakeholder engagement, political analysis, and equity considerations, and designed to produce measurable improvements in student outcomes
- Lead policy conversations and proactively lead strategic shifts in positions, strategies, or tactics
- Direct the review of all TK12 policy products to ensure that they are high-quality, accurate, equity-driven, and actionable, as well as aligned with Ed Trust's mission and goals
Field Leadership and Influence:
- Develop original policy frameworks, recommendations, and analyses that set and influence statewide policy discussions
- Lead the conceptualization and development of tools and resources, such as policy briefs and statements, which make complex policy information accessible to a broad array of stakeholders
- Represent EdTrust-West before policymakers, media outlets, statewide coalitions, and state forums and proactively identify, create, and leverage opportunities to elevate EdTrust-West's influence, visibility, and impact within California's policy ecosystem
- Lead or co-lead statewide coalitions and working groups aligned with EdTrust-West's TK-12 priorities, building strategic alliances with advocacy organizations, practitioners, researchers, and community leaders to advance educational equity
- Shape statewide education policy conversations by convening stakeholders, advancing policy frameworks, and positioning EdTrust-West as a leading voice on TK-12 issues
Internal Capacity Building and Leadership:
- Serve as a senior organizational leader and trusted advisor on EdTrust-West's policy positions and strategy
- Help lead EdTrust-West's organizational planning, budgeting, and priority-setting processes
- Build collaborative cross-functional structures to strengthen EdTrust-West's capacity for policy influence and impact
- Drive alignment of ETW's strategic goals across policy, government affairs, communications, research, and higher education policy teams to advance EdTrust-West's strategic priorities
- Oversee the long-term and day-to-day work of the TK12 policy team, cultivating a positive team culture, allocating resources, and supporting prioritization
- Lead the recruitment, development, coaching, and performance management of the TK12 policy team
Resource Development:
- Develop and execute resource development targets and strategy that proactively advance the team's policy priorities and long-term sustainability
- Cultivate and steward relationships with current and prospective funders aligned with the team's work
- Lead the development of grant concepts, proposals, reports, and funder communications
- Present policy priorities and impact to funders and philanthropic partners
IDEAL SKILLS AND CHARACTERISTICS- Shared belief in EdTrust's mission and a commitment to improving educational equity with a focus on racial equity
- Excellent project management, time management, and budget management skills
- Exceptional verbal and written communication skills
- Track-record of skill in developing and conducting policy analysis, research, analyzing and evaluating results, and creating policy recommendations that led to positive policy change and impact
- Strong demonstrated leadership and team management skills and experience
- Strong relationship-building skills with a range of stakeholders, including funders
- Eagerness for collaboration with both internal and external partners
- High emotional intelligence, professional maturity, and problem-solving skills
- Willingness to provide constructive feedback to others; as well as to receive and act upon feedback from others
- Ability to exercise sound judgment and decisiveness
- Dedication in contributing to and maintaining an equitable working environment
QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCEThe ideal candidate will possess the following qualifications and experience:
- At least a bachelor's degree in education, public policy/administration, or a related field; advanced degree is a plus
- At least 12 years of experience in analyzing policy, data, and research in education or a related field, preferably on topics of equity, including developing policy recommendations, written feedback to proposed legislation, or other tools/resources for advocates and policymakers
- Deep expertise across the TK-12 education policy, with a particular focus on issues of education equity
- Significant experience (e.g., at least 6 years) effectively managing and leading teams
- Demonstrated success influencing state-level policy agendas, legislative proposals, or major systems reforms
- Significant experience serving as a spokesperson, public presenter, media source, or public-facing policy leader
- Demonstrated success shaping policy positions and advocacy strategies that resulted in meaningful policy change
- Experience cultivating and stewarding philanthropic relationships and contributing to fundraising efforts.
- Established relationships and credibility among California policymakers, education leaders, advocacy organizations, and funders
COMPENSATIONThis position falls in Level G of our salary structure for our California office, which has a new hire range of $145,580 to $181,980. Offers will be commensurate with skills, experience, and internal equity and are rarely offered at the top of this new hire range.
EdTrust prioritizes the health and well-being of its employees and, to that end, offers a highly competitive benefits package. Medical, dental and vision insurance are covered at 100% for the employee, with significant coverage also offered for dependents. We provide sick leave, vacation leave, and personal leave, and we follow the federal government for most holiday closures. To ensure staff have synchronous opportunities for rest and renewal, the office is closed for a week-long summer break and a week-long winter break. Among other offerings, we provide an Employee Assistance Program at no cost to the employee, and a generous 7% matching opportunity on a 403(b)-retirement plan.
