Research and Policy Advocacy & Partnerships Manager
Job Description
The Education Trust–New York seeks a full-time Advocacy & Partnerships Manager who will help to accelerate and amplify Ed Trust–NY’s policy agenda.
About Ed Trust–NY:
The Education Trust–New York works for educational justice and the high academic achievement of all students at all levels, from early childhood through college completion. We expose educational injustices and inequities that separate students of color, multilingual learners, and low-income students from their peers, and we identify and advocate for strategies that will dramatically decrease equity gaps. Ed Trust–NY is a nonpartisan, data-driven, nonprofit education policy and advocacy organization. We work alongside parents, educators, policymakers, community, and business leaders.
Ed Trust–NY is a fast-paced, mission-driven organization with high expectations for our team and the work we produce. We are committed to high-quality policy and advocacy in our relentless pursuit of equity.
To learn more, please visit edtrustny.org.
The position:
The Advocacy & Partnerships Manager will support Ed Trust–NY’s efforts to advance policies that close equity gaps in early childhood, K-12, and higher education. They will support the development and lead the execution of the advocacy strategy for our policy agenda, including managing social media and letter writing campaigns, coordinating sign-on letters, and leading meetings with policymakers.
Reporting to the Deputy Director & Chief Partnerships Officer, the Advocacy & Partnerships Manager will help to develop and sustain Ed Trust–NY’s relationships with partners, coalition members, policymakers, and other stakeholders. They will serve as an important representative of Ed Trust–NY in a wide range of external settings and contribute to policy development and advocacy strategy across the organization’s work. The ideal candidate for this role has knowledge of the education policy and advocacy landscape in New York State – particularly in the early childhood, K-12, and higher education space, experience working with diverse coalitions of partners, and a passion for educational equity and justice. The position will be based in New York City, with regular travel to Albany and occasional travel to other parts of New York State (post-pandemic).
The Advocacy & Partnerships Manager’s responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Support the Deputy Director & Chief Partnerships Officer to develop and sustain constructive relationships with key partners, including statewide and local civil rights, education, parent, faith, business, and advocacy groups; legislators; practitioners; and the public.
- Leverage relationships with grasstop and grassroot leaders and organizations to prioritize the issue of improving education in New York State to the front and center of state policymaking and investment.
- Develop and execute the advocacy strategy for our policy agenda, including managing social media and letter writing campaigns, coordinating sign-on letters, and leading meetings with policymakers.
- Inform Ed Trust–NY’s coalitions policy positions by monitoring and reporting policy conversation across government, media, think tanks, academia, and advocates.
QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:
We are looking for a combination of the following qualifications and experience:
- Passion for increasing statewide access to educational justice for all children, especially focused on children from low-income backgrounds and children of color who have been impacted by systemic racism and other social barriers to access, and an unwavering belief that these children could be much more successful if institutions better served them and their families.
- Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion internally and externally, including confronting the impact of systemic racism in policy and advocacy work.
- Deep familiarity with the New York State, New York City, and other local policy contexts that affect educational equity from birth through college.
- Experience working with civil rights organizations, business and education leaders, policymakers, and civic leaders across New York State.
- Successful experience advancing educational equity with key local and/or state-level policymakers.
- At least 3-5 years of experience conducting education policy and advocacy, particularly in K-12.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively and pivot as priorities shift – often in time-sensitive situations.
- Ability to work on and manage multiple projects with quick turnarounds.
- Exceptional writing and clear communication skills.
- Ability to negotiate nuances in policy and advocacy approaches.
- Superb project management and time-management skills.
- Master’s or PhD with 1-2 years of relevant professional experience, or Bachelor’s with 3-5 years of relevant professional experience, or 5+ years of relevant professional experience (preferred, but will consider all candidates).
- Strong oral and written communication skills, including experience with Microsoft Office suite.
- Strong sense of honor and integrity.
- A supportive working style that brings out the best in colleagues.
Compensation and Benefits:
Salary is commensurate with experience and qualifications. Ed Trust–NY offers a comprehensive benefits package.
How to Apply
Application Process:
Please upload a cover letter and resume to this link. We review applications on a rolling basis.
The Education Trust–New York is committed to creating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive work environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age, or veteran status.
