By many measures, Connecticut is one of the best places in the nation to live and work. It has an incredibly long list of qualities and institutions that have made it a thriving state for generations. It’s grown increasingly apparent, though, that Connecticut has long maintained startling opportunity gaps along lines of race and class. This is especially true in how we educate students in our state. The Director-State Affairs role exists to work with partners across the state to shape and build toward a vision of opportunity for all regardless of background. Your work is grounded in two insights: 1) Systems change only happens through collective action and local coalitions; and 2) Systems change must be led by those with personal proximity to the problem. In Connecticut, systems change is possible when there is partnership between state and local leaders to translate proof points of possibility into policy and practice. You will be passionate and strategic to create conditions for learning, innovation and action across a network of leaders throughout Connecticut, including members of Teach For America, partners, and public officials. You will report to the Executive Director of the Teach For America – Connecticut region.
- Serve as a communicator lobbyist representing Teach For America’s work across the state with elected and administrative leaders in state government.
- Build relationships with key policy leaders across the state to communicate and build understanding of Teach For America
- Identify opportunities to build and/or join coalitions that expand educational opportunity for students
- Steward the leadership of Teach For America’s network across the state such that they have pathways to engage in state-level issues
- Evaluate risk management implications of the organizations’ operations to ensure an appropriate risk management system in in place to address exposures to teacher certification statutes and regulations.
- Compile and create high quality communications that demonstrate our impact for a wide variety of state, local, and federal audiences.
- Manage and support leaders of the Connecticut team in areas of communications, research and evaluation, government affairs and policy, general counsel and strategic initiatives
- Developing and cultivating excellent relationships with state and federal representatives and their staff, particularly those who represent the cities we work with
- 5+ years of previous work experience with previous experience in education
- Lead senior leaders as partners in effecting change
- Navigate partnerships across organizations
Work Demands
- Ability to travel in person across the state of Connecticut frequently
- Ability to work some evenings and weekends
- Ability to travel to in person conferences 1-2 times a year
Skills
- In writing, communicate complex ideas clearly and succinctly
- Ability to influence others and manage laterally to outcomes
- Compelling verbal communicator
- Breakdown long-term strategy into short-term goals and action plans