Research and Policy Vice President of Policy
Job Description
Job Title: Vice President of Policy
Location: Denver, CO
Type: Full Time
Salary: $140-160K
Work Environment: Hybrid, with two days per week in the office
THE ORGANIZATION
The Colorado League of Charter Schools (the League) envisions a reality in which all Colorado students have access to high-quality public school options. To this end, the League works to positively reshape the public school landscape, advance opportunities for innovation and expanded high-quality public school choice, and support schools directly to reach higher levels of student performance and success.
In addition to providing a wide array of resources and technical support to its member schools, the League has played a critical role in molding the climate and policy environment for new and existing charters in Colorado since its founding in 1994. Today, the Colorado League of Charter Schools has 15 staff members serving over 260 schools with more than 137,000 students, a distinguished 25-year history, a prominent board of directors and a strong fiscal position.
In order to increase its advocacy strength, the League established an affiliated 501(c)(4) organization in 2019 called CLCS Action. The VP of Policy will be a critical part of this growing team.
THE ROLE
The VP of Policy is responsible for developing and driving the League’s policy strategy to successful execution, leading to tangible, responsive, and impactful policy outcomes for charter schools in Colorado. This role reports to the President, and responsibilities include the following:
Policy Strategy & Oversight
- Develop and oversee a comprehensive policy program aligned with the League’s strategic priorities, to include advancing key policies, anticipating and mitigating the impacts of negative legislation, and supporting or opposing others policies in alignment with the League’s vision and values
- Refine and optimize a process for legislative and other policy-related activities at the League, including:
- Coordinating and facilitating the League’s policy personnel to work symbiotically toward policy goals, including the Director of Governmental Affairs, contract lobbyist, contract attorneys, and the President
- Implementing effective systems and structures to organize activities and track progress toward goals
- Lead ongoing policy research and analysis efforts including analyzing bills, developing a point of view for the League, anticipating impacts on member schools, creating one-pagers and other explainers as needed, and tracking and responding to relevant developments that will impact the League’s policy work
- Oversee legislative activities and policy-related member engagement efforts, including providing supervision, thought partnership, and hands-on support to the Director of Governmental Affairs as needed in the areas of:
- Lobbying and other legislative activities at the Capitol (committee participation, testifying, etc.)
- Member engagement with elected officials and participation in session activities
- Member communication and education related to session developments and outcomes
Organizational Leadership
- Serve on the League’s senior leadership team and act in concert with other vice presidents and program directors to:
- Identify and track annual performance targets and program goals.
- Ensure financial viability including participating in the budgeting process to ensure revenue and expense targets are realistic; ensuring that revenue targets are achieved, expense limits are maintained, and that other team members are informed of budget position/realities.
- Promote integration across program areas through joint planning, coordination and an overall commitment to keeping each other fully informed and including others in the work.
- Ensure that all employees experience a sense of camaraderie, positive affiliation with, and advancement of the entire organization.
- Present and represent the League’s vision, values, priorities, strategic choices and points of view to internal and external stakeholders.
- Supervise, coach and provide overall guidance to those supervised. Specifically, ensure that direct reports know what is expected, have the materials and equipment to do their work effectively, receive explicit, on-going feedback, and develop professionally.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Demonstrated commitment to the League’s mission and vision and the belief that all Colorado kids must be given access to high-quality public school options
- Deep experience and track record of success in policy strategy, research, and analysis in education or an adjacent issue area, including deciphering and analyzing the impact of bills and policies, developing and communicating policy positions, and responding quickly and effectively to developments in the political and legislative context; legal experience a plus
- Experience leading an organizational function, including developing strategies and systems, managing team members, resources, partnerships, and vendor/contractor relationships, and using data-driven approaches to achieve ambitious goals
- Strong work ethic with the ability to balance urgency with attention to detail and a high bar for excellence
- Collaborative team player skilled at coordinating and facilitating stakeholders to achieve goals
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to analyze and distill complex information into concise and actionable ideas
- An understanding of K-12 education policy issues and the charter sector preferred, including school leader policy concerns across the spectrum of charter school types and political dynamics around charters and school choice
- Familiarity with the legislative process, including comfort responding to time sensitive developments at variable hours
- Comfort operating in bipartisan space and working across lines of difference (ideological, geographical, socioeconomic, racial, etc.)
- Familiarity with the Colorado education landscape preferred
WORK ENVIRONMENT
This is a hybrid remote and in-office role, with a requirement of working at least two days per week in the Denver, Colorado office to attend in-person staff and team meetings. Outside of those two days, there is flexibility to work off-site or remotely. Occasional off-site travel will be required to attend meetings and events in target geographies across Colorado, as well as evening and weekend availability to attend key events.
COMPENSATION & BENEFITS
The salary range for this role is $140,000 – 160,000. The League offers medical and dental insurance after a 30-day waiting period, including 100% premium coverage for the employee on multiple medical plans. The company also offers generous PTO, 20 days of Holiday pay and a company-matching 401k plan.
How to Apply
TO APPLY To apply for this position, please fill out our online application (hyperlink here: https://forms.gle/Cd5a7MWqJiqqKXDj9). We will accept applications through February 11th, 2024. Note that in place of a cover letter, we ask for short responses to the following questions:- What compels you about the work of the Colorado League of Charter Schools, and about this position specifically?
- What past experiences have best prepared you for this role?
- What professional values are most important to you? How have those values shaped your behavior and decisions in your career so far?
