The Managing Director, Community Affairs leads Teach For America - New York’s engagement of our alumni and the public at large in pursuit of our vision of great neighborhood schools. The MD will manage a dynamic team to design and deliver compelling campaigns and strategically manage key relationships that build support in the form of community partnerships, supportive policy and public funding. The ideal candidate has experience in government affairs, policy, and/or community organizing; builds and sustains strong partnerships and campaigns; inspires others to take action; enjoys big picture problem-solving and program design. The Managing Director, Community Affairs will manage a team of five: Director, Communications & Marketing; Director, Alumni Affairs (who manages a Manager, Alumni Projects); Director, Recruitment Partnerships and Coordinator, Community Affairs. This position serves on the regional Leadership Team and reports to the Vice President, External Affairs.
The Managing Director, Community Affairs leads the broader NY community affairs strategy though the following priorities:
- Design and execute government relations strategy in support of regional funding priorities and policy agenda, including management of a lobbyist
- Collaborate with Leadership for Educational Equity (LEE)
- Design and implement strategic partnerships or campaigns that result in an expanded base of advocates and potentially public funding
- Work with Executive Director, members of the TFA-NY Board, direct reports and broader team to cultivate champions and ambassadors among stakeholders and community partners including alumni, donors, community leaders, elected officials
- Serve as regional point for Policy Working Group and other relevant national teams
- Support Director, Alumni Affairs to set vision and direction for engaging New York alumni with each other and the organization in service of our regional vision
- Work closely with Director, Communications and Marketing to oversee the region’s branding and reputation strategy, at a high level, in support of programmatic and fundraising goals
- Collaborate with Director, Recruitment Partnerships to align strategy with national recruitment team and cultivate and grow community-based partnerships in pursuit of a more sustainable local recruitment pipeline
- Manage the Coordinator, Community Affairs to support team operations
- Participate in all-staff (region and organization-wide) activities and events such as selection, confirmation, strategic planning, and summits
Requirements
Approach to work
- Deep commitment to Teach For America’s mission for educational equity and the belief that community partnerships will be a key lever for change
- Cool under pressure
- Sense of humor
Qualifications
- Seven or more years of work experience required, including at least 2 years of team management
- Legislative/government affairs, policy advocacy, campaign and/or community organizing experience required
- Knowledge of New York City and state educational landscape preferred
- Demonstrated success in leading initiatives with strategic communications, strong relationship management and partnership development, and the recruitment and/or engagement of members
Work Demands
- Some weekend and evening work required
- Regular travel around NYC and to Albany
Skills
- Ability to build buy-in, influence, and rally partners toward outcomes
- Outstanding oral and written communication skills
- Ability to navigate complex environments and relationships
- Strong creative and strategic thinking
- Ability to think big, generate ideas and implement solutions to complex problems
- Level of comfort within, and appetite for, change management
Salary for this position is competitive and depends on prior experience. In addition, a comprehensive benefits package is included.