President, Northeast Region and Executive Director, DFER Massachusetts - Education Reform Now Advocacy

LOCATION: Strong preference for being located in the Boston area. Day-to-day work is hybrid (remote and in-person)

START DATE: As soon as possible

REPORTS TO: Chief of State and Regional Impact

ROLE OVERVIEW

Democrats for Education Reform (DFER) seeks an innovative and passionate public education advocate to serve as President of the Northeast Region and Executive Director of DFER-MA. The President/ED will build off of existing organizational infrastructure in MA and will lead DFER’s efforts to expand into additional states in the Northeast. The precise points of engagement within the Northeast Region will be determined, in conjunction with the successful candidate, by the organization’s assessment of emerging opportunities.

The President/ED will support Democrats (electeds and candidates) and initiatives that will expand policies and practices that deliver results for students while also confronting those that do not. In keeping with DFER’s core values, the ideal candidate will have a strong understanding of the MA and regional political landscape and be an education reformer who prioritizes students and families, particularly students of color, students from low-income families, English learners, and students with disabilities. The President/ED will embrace and advance DFER’s foundational mission: to create a public education system that empowers all students to reach their limitless potential. The President/ED will build off of and continue our existing work in MA and will strategically cultivate a regional network of elected ed reform champions in the Northeast.

WHO WE ARE

Democrats for Education Reform (DFER) is a national political organization that supports elected Democrats and candidates for office who seek to expand policies and practices that deliver results for America’s students and confront those that do not. We are education reformers who prioritize students and families, especially low-income students and students of color, who are served by our country’s public schools.

DFER partner Education Reform Now Advocacy (ERNA) is an advocacy group that advances education reform measures by empowering community leaders to support our political advocacy work. ERNA campaigns for and partners with elected leaders to champion high-quality public education.

DFER partner Education Reform Now (ERN) is a nonpartisan think tank that promotes innovative, evidence-based reforms in public education, particularly for students of color, students from low-income families, English learners, and students with disabilities.

WHAT WE DO

1. Support for Education Reform Leaders — In an approach that is markedly different from our peers and partners in the field, DFER engages directly with candidates and elected officials to empower them to advocate for education policies that focus foremost on serving students. Our partner organization, Education Reform Now, does work that involves policy research, analysis, and education that helps policy makers at all levels understand complex education issues and make informed decisions.

2. Informing the Education Debate — Our coalition work reflects the breadth of our policy priorities. We work collaboratively with organizations and our community networks to create public schools that are held accountable to all kids and families.

3. Targeted Interventions and Rapid Response — DFER’s reach from the most local district relationships to state and federal policymakers enables us to respond quickly to the changing landscape and policy trends. Activities vary significantly from project to project and may include training, policy analysis, public engagement, electoral and issue advocacy, and policy guidance for elected officials and local advocates.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Specific responsibilities of the Regional President/ED will include:

• Overseeing DFER’s state impact strategy within the Northeast Region which includes: leading the MA Chapter, building a network of aligned champions in the Northeast Region (minus NY, where we have an existing chapter with a leadership team in place), and leading our Governors’ Program engagement efforts in the region.

• Leading the MA Chapter
• Supervising existing MA staff
• Serving as an active champion for the DFER agenda in Massachusetts
• Partnering with and supporting elected officials in Massachusetts who share DFER’s vision to prioritize a student-centered policy agenda that is rooted in educational equity and excellence
• Recruiting, training, and supporting prospective candidates for elected office who will champion DFER’s education reform agenda once in office
• Northeast Region:
• Hosting MA-based and regional networking and relationship-building events to support a broad network of elected champions in the Northeast
• Seeking out and engaging aligned elected leaders and policymakers in the Northeast region and serving as a liaison by connecting them with DFER and partner resources to help replicate policy success throughout the Region
• Governors’ Program:
• Seeking out and engaging with aligned governors in the Northeast Region and serving as a liaison by connecting them with DFER and partner resources to help replicate policy successes throughout the Region
• All:
• Cultivating and securing new donor champions for all three lines of work; stewarding existing funding partners
• Tracking policy, legislation, and news for DFER’s supporters, ensuring that they have consistent access to synthesized information
• Directing and overseeing outside consultants
• Building and sustaining a network of coalition partners
• Serving as a leading voice on behalf of the DFER Northeast and MA agendas
• Working closely with the Chief Executive Officer, Chief of Staff and Strategy, Chief of State and Regional Impact, Democratic policymakers and staff, third-party groups, think tanks, and other relevant stakeholders to advance the organization's policy goals

Commitment to Diversity: DFER welcomes applications from all and strongly encourages women, people of color, people with disabilities, immigrants, refugees, and LGBTQ people to apply for this position. We are committed to maximizing the diversity of our organization and recruiting a team that reflects the diversity of students living in the communities we serve.

Please apply as soon as possible, even if you are not available to start immediately. All applications are held in strict confidence. Interested applicants can apply here. References will be requested in a later stage of the selection process.

Requirements

•  A concrete understanding of the political and educational policy landscape in Massachusetts and throughout the Northeast, or the ability to quickly gain knowledge in the space; existing relationships within Massachusetts and regional political and education systems are preferred

• A commitment to policy reforms that will improve educational opportunities for all students, particularly students of color and low-income students
• Leadership and management experience within the political campaign and advocacy sectors; a record of achieving ambitious results in these roles
• A concrete track record of setting and achieving big goals despite challenges; ability to drive toward progress with creativity and relentless determination
• Political savvy coupled with an inherent motivation to affect change in the political and advocacy spheres, as well as an interest in politics and advocacy on the state, local, and national levels
• A track record of raising funds in a non-profit and/or political context
• An entrepreneurial spirit and excitement to embrace the opportunity to build out our work in the Northeast region
• Exceptional oral and written communication skills to include experience serving as a spokesperson with media and conducting interviews, media calls, and drafting earned and paid media pieces
• The ability to think strategically and know-how to discern key levers for change and progress
• A sense of humor and humility; entrepreneurial, comfort with complexity and ambiguity
• A team mentality and ability to partner with and leverage the expertise of colleagues
• In word and in deed, a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion

Benefits

Compensation: The base salary range for this position is $195,000 - $220,000. DFER is proud to offer excellent benefits: cell phone reimbursement, health, vision, and dental coverage; flexible spending plan; life insurance; short-and long-term disability insurance; 401K plan with a match plan; flexible spending/benefits plan; paid family leave; paid time off (sick time; all National holidays; a week off around the winter holidays) and paid vacation.