Research and Policy Senior Associate, Partnerships and Engagement
Job Description
The Education Trust seeks a Senior Associate, Partnerships & Engagement in our Ed Trust – Tennessee office to support a new school funding initiative spanning across the southern region of the United States. The Senior Associate will join a staff who are committed to fulfilling a mission of closing opportunity gaps that disproportionately affect students of color and students from low-income backgrounds.
The Senior Associate contributes to Ed Trust’s mission of advancing education equity by building partnerships and activating Ed Trust – Tennessee’s priority policy issue of more equitable school funding with advocates and coalitions across the South. This position coordinates outreach planning and execution, designs and leads advocate learning experiences, and engages with coalitions and advocates to advance more equitable school funding formulas in southern states. The Senior Associate also collaborates deeply with other roles within Ed Trust – Tennessee and across the broader Ed Trust organization to realize policy change and impact through partnerships and coalitions.
Ed Trust is committed to advancing policies and practices to dismantle the racial and economic barriers embedded in the U.S. education system. Through our research and advocacy, Ed Trust improves equity in education from preschool through college, engages diverse communities dedicated to equity and justice, and increases political and public will to build an education system where all students will thrive.
Available immediately, this role is based in our Nashville, TN office and is eligible for telework for up to 3 days per week. This role may be expected to travel up to 40 percent. The Senior Associate, Partnerships and Engagement reports to the Tennessee Executive Director, and may supervise interns, fellows, or consultants.
The responsibilities and objectives for the role include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Contribute to advancing Ed Trust – Tennessee’s advocacy agenda on school funding and resource equity by coordinating and liaising with coalitions and partners in Tennessee and across southern states, in close collaboration with team leadership
- Collaborate to set strategic advocacy goals for the year with content teams and state and local partners; design and execute activities aligned to these goals
- Support cross-team efforts to develop the capacity of southern state and local advocates by coordinating advocate learning experiences, particularly as it relates to advancing more equitable school funding policy
- Lead coalition building efforts by developing and maintaining partnerships with external organizations around shared priorities
- Advance Ed Trust’s research and policy priorities in southern states by providing consultation and support for advocacy efforts with external partners
- Design, coordinate, and track outreach efforts to advance more equitable school funding, and track the success of such efforts
- Collaborate with other roles across the organization to inform equitable school funding outreach strategy and to keep internal teams abreast of advocacy efforts
- Inform advocacy strategy by monitoring and reporting on the changing landscape of school funding policy across the southern region
- Contribute to external-facing written material such as reports, grant proposals, and letters through research, writing, and editing
- Stay current and knowledgeable on organizational priorities and recent research from Ed Trust and our partners on the topic of school funding
IDEAL SKILLS AND CHARACTERISTICS
- Shared belief in Ed Trust’s mission and a commitment to improving educational equity with a focus on race equity
- Dedication in contributing to and maintaining an equitable working environment
- Strong project management skills
- Strong written and verbal communication, including facilitation skills
- Strong relationship-building skills and the ability to connect with a range of diverse stakeholders
- Highly collaborative with both internal and external partners, with the ability to overcome obstacles and find common ground
- Creative problem solving and analytical skills
- Ability to adapt and exercise sound judgment
- Ability to analyze education policy
QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
The ideal candidate will possess the following qualifications and experience:
- At least a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field or equivalent experience
- Valid driver’s license
- Some (e.g., 4+ years) related work experience in organizing, training, and/or advocacy
- Knowledge of education policy and advocacy, preferably on topics related to equity
- Experience designing and delivering adult learning
