After an exhaustive review of successful social change efforts, TFA-Colorado has concluded that broad-based and durable systemic change requires three pillars:
- Sustained leadership inside and outside of the system we seek to change, challenging conventional wisdom and the status quo by demonstrating what’s possible;
- The effort must be shaped by those most directly impacted by the injustice, and led by those with personal proximity to the problem and its complexity; and
- A broad and diverse coalition of people united around common purpose and shared values, working together to translate insights from proof points of possibility into policy and practice.
For the past ten years, TFA-Colorado has been at the forefront of building talent pipelines that work inside and outside of the education system. And, recently, we have built a first-of-its-kind homegrown recruitment and training initiative to ensure that the students we teach today can become the education leaders of tomorrow.
Now, we are turning to the third pillar – building a broad, diverse coalition – through a unique two-pronged approach: (a) training in coalition-building skills while simultaneously (b) bolstering the viewpoint diversity of our membership.
As the Director of Coalition Building, you will work with state and national experts to determine the conditions necessary for a diversity of viewpoints to thrive within our regional teaching corps, staff, and membership base. Furthermore, you will recruit for viewpoint diversity into Teach for America and into leadership pipelines for classroom, school, and system leadership. The ideal candidate will have experience in mobilizing diverse groups, leading strategic recruitment, working across lines of difference, and project management.
Recruitment (50%)
- Identify the necessary organizations, groups, and environments that TFA-CO needs to be connected to, and then recruit, cultivate and matriculate these individuals to staff, teaching corps and launch fellowship.
- Identify the structures and systems necessary to support a diverse group of individuals, including but not limited to training, ongoing engagement, events, etc.
Coalition Building (30%)
- Set vision for our broad and diverse coalition work in the short-, medium-, and long-term; create annual goals and metrics; and develop the operational plan for cross-functional work.
- Participate in the work of the initiative’s steering committee and executing on the scope and sequence determined by this group to develop, engage, and mobilize TFA-CO staff and the broader membership in this work.
- Create and implement a strategic plan to build a diverse coalition of members (corps, alum, non-alum) to advocate for systems level change team within our education system
Grant Management (10%)
- In coordination with the Director, Strategic Gifts & Advocacy, execute key grant management activities for our broad, diverse coalition specific foundation grants. Project management responsibilities include:
- Oversight of project plan progress
- Content contribution to grant proposals
- Consult with Director, Strategic Gifts & Advocacy on completion of final grant report
Fulfilling our Mission through Organizational and Regional Priorities (10%)
- Be a partner in local recruitment, matriculation, and onboarding of teachers to Teach For America-Colorado. Attend regional retreats held throughout the year, monthly staff meetings, and occasional conferences and trainings.
- Demonstrated experience and success in all or most of the relevant functional areas (i.e. community organizing, project management, recruitment, etc)
Work Demands
- Ability to work evenings and weekends when necessary.
Skills
- Building Relationships and Networks
- Synthesizing, Integrating, and Developing Strategies
- Ability to work independently, as well as collaboratively with state and national organizations
- Exceptional written and verbal communication
- Exceptional organizational skills
- Ability to prioritize and manage complex project plans
- Prior experience with targeted recruitment across various settings
- Strong team orientation – ability to work cross-functionally across diverse teams.
- Ability to communicate professionally to diverse audiences.
- Able to work with consistent excellence in a fast-paced, high-performing environment.
Travel
- Local travel required.