Stand for Children Job Opportunity

Stand for Children – a bold and independent voice for public education reform – seeks an exceptional National Policy Director to help Stand affiliates and chapters achieve critical local, state and national education reforms that substantially improve educational outcomes for all children.

The Organizations

The Stand for Children family consists of two separate organizations—Stand for Children, a grassroots membership lobby for children exempt under section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code, and Stand for Children Leadership Center, a leadership development organization exempt under section 501(c)(3). Stand for Children’s mission is to use the power of grassroots action to help all children get the excellent public education and strong support they need to thrive. To date, Stand for Children’s six state affiliates (OR, MA, TN, WA, CO and AZ) have won more than one hundred victories that have impacted the lives of more than two million children. We organize parents, educators, and other concerned community members into a strong, sustained constituency that:

• Helps elect strong local school board members, state legislators, and statewide elected officials who champion public schools;*
• Advocates for education reforms at the state and local level, including reforms that increase teacher and principal effectiveness, support school autonomy with accountability, and expand instructional time, that improve student achievement and close the achievement gap;
• Lobbies the state legislature for strategic K-12 investments and then ensures local school districts spend those dollars wisely;
• Campaigns for referenda and needed school construction bonds and operating levies.

Stand for Children Leadership Center’s mission is to develop leaders who use the power of grassroots action to help all children get the excellent public education and strong support they need to thrive. Stand Leadership Center engages parents, educators, and other concerned community members by:

• Training them on how to join together to become more effective advocates for children;
• Educating them on issues that impact children and schools;
• Providing them with the tools to develop solutions for children in their local and statewide communities.

The Position

The National Policy Director will position Stand for Children as a leading education policy voice nationally and enable Stand for Children affiliates and chapters to achieve the most effective possible local and state education policy reforms. The National Policy Director will contribute to Stand for Children’s mission to improve public education by:

• Providing technical assistance and strategic support to Stand state affiliate leadership on local and state education reform campaigns and develop a cadre of outstanding current and former school board members, superintendents, and principals who can provide timely information and guidance for school board members, superintendents, and principals in Stand affiliate states;
• Developing and then continually refreshing and improving Stand’s education policy content (reports, articles, videos, speeches, profiles) to educate Stand staff, members, and allied elected officials and school administrators, equip staff and members to advocate for the best possible policies to improve student achievement, and inspire web site visitors to get involved in Stand.

The National Policy Director will contribute to Stand for Children Leadership Center’s goals by:

• Enlisting key researchers, practitioners, and advocates across the country to keep us current on what’s working, getting feedback on Stand policy proposals and potential content for the web site, and expose staff, leaders, funders, Board members, and allied elected officials and administrators to leading education experts through webinars and conferences;
• Working closely Stand’s training staff to develop and continually improve training content for staff and chapter leaders on how to improve public education that is differentiated according to role and location;
• Building relationships with and representing Stand for Children at meetings of key national education stakeholders.

The National Policy Director will be joining a national team of professionals committed to improving children’s lives. Stand for Children’s managers and supervisors are empowering, entrepreneurial leaders who are committed to providing outstanding supervision in order for staff to develop as professionals and grow within the organization.

The National Policy Director will report directly to the Chief Executive Officer and work closely with the Chief Operating Officer, national training team, and state-based Executive Directors, Advocacy Directors and Organizing Directors. The National Policy Director will directly supervise Stand’s current Senior Policy Advisor, manage our relationship with education policy consultants, and have the flexibility subsequently to build out a team to achieve Stand’s goals in the policy arena.

Qualifications and Qualities Required

• Strong commitment to Stand for Children and Stand for Children Leadership Center’s shared goal of improving public schools;
• Significant direct professional experience in public education;
• Substantial education policy experience;
• Extensive knowledge of what’s working to improve schools;
• Sophistication about political dynamics in education policymaking at local, state, and national levels;
• Ability to write compelling, concise accessible, action-oriented education-related content for a lay audience. Only outstanding writer/editors should apply.
• An entrepreneurial, learning orientation and an ability to embrace and incorporate direct feedback;
• A tremendous drive and strong ability to achieve outcomes;
• Experience and strong skills managing projects and people;
• Community organizing, political organizing, campaigning, lobbying or relevant leadership experience;
• Willingness to travel: the National Policy Director will travel regularly, specifically visiting each of Stand for Children’s state affiliates within their first few months on staff.

Salary

Competitive salary (commensurate with experience). Excellent benefits: full health and dental coverage; life insurance, long-term disability and long-term care coverage; 401K with a match plan; flexible spending/benefits plan; holidays and vacation accrual.

To Apply

Stand for Children and Stand for Children Leadership Center are equal opportunity employers and candidates of color are strongly encouraged to apply. To apply for the position, please send a resume and cover letter to employment@stand.org. Please specify interest in this position by inserting “National Policy Director” in your email subject field. No calls please.

Download a printer-friendly version of this job description.

Return to the main jobs page.

* These activities are conducted exclusively on behalf of Stand for Children, subject to applicable law.