Vice President, State & Regional Impact

ROLE: Vice President, State & Regional Impact

LOCATION: Remote

POSITION TYPE: Exempt, Full-time

START DATE: ASAP

REPORTS TO: Chief of State & Regional Impact

ROLE OVERVIEW

Democrats for Education Reform (DFER) seeks a Vice-President, State & Regional Impact. This position will be pivotal in strengthening our mission by facilitating collaboration and support to our state chapter's Executive Directors, and facilitating collaboration and support to them while bolstering them in their fundraising, policy, and political pursuits. The role will also help develop major goals to support broad functional objectives on the State and Regional Impact team. There is a deep expectation of thought partnership with team leadership. As the Vice President, State & Regional Impact, you will foster seamless collaboration between the National office and state chapters, aligning our efforts toward broader organizational impact and more significant educational outcomes for Black and Brown children. You will also support aspects of our regional expansion work and play a crucial role in setting and leading our internal processes.

Applicants must be legally authorized to work for any employer in the United States and will be required to submit proof of eligibility. We are unable to sponsor or take over the sponsorship of an employment visa at this time.

WHO WE ARE

Democrats for Education Reform (DFER) is a national political organization that supports elected Democrats and candidates for office who seek to expand policies and practices that work well for America’s students and confront those that do not. We are education progressives who prioritize students and families, especially low-income students and students of color, whom our country’s public education system should better serve.

DFER partner Education Reform Now Advocacy (ERNA) is an advocacy group that advances education reform measures by empowering community leaders to support legislative and political advocacy work. ERNA constantly pressures legislators to champion legislation that creates high-quality public education for Black and Brown kids.

DFER partner Education Reform Now (ERN) is a nonpartisan think tank that promotes increased resources and innovative reforms in K-16 public education, particularly for students of color and students from low-income families.

WHAT WE DO

1.Support for Progressive Education Leaders — In an approach markedly different from our peers and partners in the field, DFER engages directly with candidates and elected officials to empower them to advocate for education policies that focus foremost on serving students. Our partner organization, Education Reform Now, works at the intersection of policy research, analysis, and education that help policymakers at all levels understand complex education issues and make informed decisions.

2.Informing the Education Debate — Our coalition work reflects the breadth of our policy priorities. We collaborate with organizations and our community networks to create an education system that is accountable to all kids and families.

3. Targeted Interventions and Rapid Response — DFER’s reach from the most local district relationships to state and federal policymakers enables us to respond quickly to the changing landscape and policy trends. Activities vary significantly from project to project and may include training, policy analysis, public engagement, electoral and issue advocacy, and policy guidance for elected officials and local advocates.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Strengthen each state chapter's success by acting as a pivotal thought leader and partner. Identify synergies between states, disseminate resources, and facilitate best practice sharing to overcome barriers to achieving primary and common goals. Also, enhance the flow of information between the National Office and state chapters to support each Executive Director.
• Serve as thought partner, mentor, and manager of two to three (2-3) Executive Directors. This encompasses being the primary day-to-day point of contact for Executive Directors, leading performance and talent management activities, and connecting members of the team with professional development opportunities to grow and refine their craft. These seasoned leaders will, at different intervals, require consultation, assistance, accountability, motivation, empathy, and connection to strategize, set goals, and achieve fundraising, policy, and political ambitions while managing a top-tier team.
• Design internal processes and routines with National Team members and their teams to ensure state-level activities and priorities are integrated into the decision-making and planning processes.
• Ensure that Executive Directors have the tools to adhere to human resources (HR), fundraising, and compliance regulations in their respective state chapters.
• Boost the fundraising endeavors of our National and State teams by collaborating closely with our major donors, ensuring they are abreast of our work's impact and possess the requisite information, thereby increasing the chances of sustained funding.

Requirements

WHO WE’RE LOOKING FOR

The ideal Vice President, State & Regional Impact candidate should possess the

following:

• Leadership and Knowledge: Comprehensive leadership experience in a related context with a profound knowledge of state-level C3/C4 finance, policy and the political landscape, including engagements with elected officials, campaign experiences, policy formulation, and legislative work.
• Emotional Intelligence: Strong self-awareness, self-regulation, empathy, and social skills. The ability to understand and manage one's emotions, navigate relationships, and understand the emotions of others.
• Strategic Skills: Proficiency in policy, finance, and fundraising within a matrixed C3, C4, and state organizational structure. Candidates should demonstrate an ability to navigate local, statewide, and national policies, politics and how they influence the educational domain.
• Talent Optimization: Proven record in leading diverse executive teams, nurturing their effectiveness, and retaining leaders consistently delivering outstanding results.
• Collaboration and Connectivity: Demonstrated expertise in connecting interdependent teams, working across different functional teams, contributing to a positive and productive team culture, and ensuring coordination, alignment, and collaboration.
• Problem-solving and Crisis Management: Adeptness in crisis management, showcasing sound judgment and offering solutions that drive teams towards actionable results.
• Execution and Management: Ability to coach and guide leaders in planning, processes, and ensuring the execution of strategies.
• Communication Skills: The ideal candidate will be an expert communicator with the ability to express oneself clearly and the capacity to listen to others actively.
• Actively listening includes but is not limited to verbal and written communication, as well as non-verbal cues such as body language and empathy.

Benefits

COMPENSATION

The base salary range for this position is $150,000-$180,000, depending on geographic location. DFER offers a comprehensive benefits package, including health, vision, and dental coverage; flexible spending plan; life and disability insurance; 401K with a matching plan; family leave; and paid time off.

COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION

Democrats for Education Reform welcomes all applicants and encourages women, people of color, LGBTQ individuals, people with disabilities, immigrants, and refugees to apply. We're committed to maximizing our organization's diversity, mirroring the diversity of America’s students.