About the Organization and the Opportunity
Ed Trust seeks a Director of Policy to join a passionate staff who are committed to fulfilling our mission of closing opportunity gaps in education that disproportionately affect students of color and students from low-income families.
The Director of Policy will lead the P-12 policy team to ensure that Ed Trust produces high-quality analyses that expose inequities in the education system, highlights equitable policies that advance student achievement, and ensures that policymakers and key stakeholders have the information and tools they need to advocate for policy change. The Director builds relationships to provide guidance, thought partnership, and support to members of the policy team, partners throughout the organization, and key stakeholders and policymakers across the country.
The Education Trust (Ed Trust) is comprised of fierce advocates for the high academic achievement of all students — pre-kindergarten through college, particularly those of color or living in poverty. Through research and advocacy, Ed Trust’s goal is to close the gaps in opportunity and achievement that affect millions of young people across the U.S. — especially students of color and those from low-income families. We work alongside educators, policymakers, parents, and community and business leaders across the country to advocate transforming schools and colleges into institutions that serve all students well. Lessons learned in these efforts, together with unflinching data analyses, help shape our state and national policy agendas.
This role, available immediately, is based in our Washington, DC office and is eligible for telework for up to 3 days per week. The Director of Policy reports to the VP for P-12 Policy, Practice, and Research and will supervise a layered team, with 3-5 direct reports and 7-10 people total.
About the Director of Policy Role
The responsibilities and objectives for the role include, but are not limited, to the following:
- Collaborate to set the long-term vision and direction for the Policy team and translate that vision into short and long-term goals with relevant work plans
- Lead a dynamic team by recruiting and selecting diverse candidates, retaining top talent, coaching and developing direct reports, and managing and assessing performance
- Oversee the day-to-day work of the team, allocating resources, and supporting prioritization
- 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
- Inform the organization’s policy positions by monitoring and reporting the changing landscape of education equity policy conversations
- Elevate Ed Trust’s policy priorities by representing the organization in external meetings and developing relationships with key external stakeholders, peer organizations, policymakers, leaders, funders, and other advocates
- Direct the review of all policy and research products to ensure that they are high-quality, accurate, equity-driven, and actionable, as well as aligned with Ed Trust’s mission and goals
- Develop and present on key metrics to assess the mission-impact of our policy efforts
- Build systems and structures for effective internal collaboration within and across teams; ensure that products are high-impact, high-quality, and grant deliverables are met on time
Ideal Skills and Characteristics
- Shared belief in Ed Trust’s mission and a commitment to improving educational equity
- Dedication in contributing to and maintaining an equitable working environment
- Excellent project management, time management, and budget management skills
- Exceptional verbal and written communication skills
- Ability to edit long-form writing and teach writing skills to direct reports
- In-depth experience developing and conducting policy analysis, research, analyzing and evaluating results, and creating policy recommendations
- Strong leadership and team management skills, including recruitment & selection
- Strong relationship-building skills with a range of stakeholders
- Knowledge and understanding of education equity issues
- 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
Qualifications and Experience
The 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 10 years of experience analyzing policy, data, and research in education or a related field, with progressively increasing levels of responsibility
- Significant team leadership/management experience
- Significant knowledge of P-12 education policy particularly on issues of education equity
Compensation
The annual salary for this position starts at $130k and will be commensurate with experience.
The Education Trust 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.
