Director of Educator Engagement

ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION AND THE OPPORTUNITY 

The Education Trust – West (ETW) seeks a Director of Educator Engagement to join a staff committed to fulfilling our mission of closing opportunity gaps that disproportionately affect students of color and students from low-income backgrounds. 

The Director of Educator Engagement leads ETW’s direct engagements with practitioners, through fee-for-service contracts, coalitions, and events to better understand the challenges and opportunities related to educational equity in the field and to support the implementation of local policies and practices to advance educational equity. The Director leverages these engagements to ensure the perspectives of educators (and especially educators of color) are informing ETW’s research agendas and policy positions. The Director also serves as a content expert in one (or more) key policy areas and leads in the development of collateral, key partnerships, and policy advocacy in this area(s). 

ETW 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, ETW 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.    

This role, available immediately, is based in our Oakland office and is eligible for telework for up to 3 days per week. The Director, Educator Engagement reports to the Deputy Director and supervises a small team. 

ABOUT THE ROLE 

The responsibilities and objectives for the role include, but are not limited to, the following: 

• Collaborate to set the long-term vision and direction for the Educator Engagement team and translate that vision into short and long-term goals with relevant work plans to ensure that ETW’s research agenda and policy positions are informed by educators’ perspectives 
• Lead a dynamic team by identifying and retaining diverse talent, coaching and developing direct reports, and managing and assessing performance 
• Oversee the day-to-day work of the team, allocating resources, and supporting prioritization  
• Plan, lead and oversee fee-for-service engagements for school districts, county offices of education and other entities 
• Build and maintain new and existing philanthropic and funder relationships, and contribute to grant proposals and reports as needed 
• Engage with educators to ensure that their perspectives (especially the perspectives of educators of color) are informing our policy positions and research agenda 
• Serve as a content expert in a particular area (for example; STEM Equity or ELL Equity) and co-lead educator engagement strategies to influence policy in that area 
• Serve as a member of the ETW leadership team, which includes collaboration around the annual work plan and budget, monitoring progress towards team and team members’ goals, and coordinating the Educator Engagement team’s professional development 
• Draft or assist in drafting press statements, one-pagers, policy briefs, blogs, regulatory comments, talking points, outreach emails, external presentations, and other useful collateral 
• Build and maintain new and existing philanthropic and funder relationships and contribute to grant proposals and reports as needed 
• Support organizational priorities such as organization-wide event planning and execution 

IDEAL SKILLS AND CHARACTERISTICS 

• Shared belief in Ed Trust’s mission and a commitment to improving educational equity with a focus on racial equity 
• Commitment to continuously improving cultural competence, interrogating one’s own biases, and reflecting on individual identity and positionality; understanding how systemic and institutionalized racism significantly affect communities of color and the historical impact of privilege and power on American systems   
• Dedication in contributing to and maintaining an equitable working environment  
• Excellent project management and budget management skills 
• Strong people management skills 
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, including adult facilitation 
• Strong relationship-building and collaboration skills 
• Creative problem solving and analytical skills 
• Ability to adapt and exercise sound judgment  
• Intellectual strength and curiosity 

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE 

The ideal candidate will possess the following qualifications and experience: 

• At least a bachelor’s degree in education, public policy/administration, or a related field OR equivalent experience 
• At least 10 years related work experience, preferably including teaching or educator experience and certification 
• Deep knowledge of education policy and/or advocacy landscape, especially education equity 
• Experience leading and managing a team  

COMPENSATION 

This position falls in Level F of our salary structure for our California office, which has a range of $117,820 to $176,740. Offers will be commensurate with experience.  New hires typically fall between the minimum and mid-point of the range.  

The Education Trust prioritizes the health and well-being of its employees and, to that end, offers a highly competitive benefits package. Medical, dental and vision insurance are covered at 100% for the employee, with significant coverage also offered for spouses, domestic partners, and dependents. We provide sick leave, vacation leave, and personal leave, and we follow the federal government for most holiday closures. To ensure staff have synchronous opportunities for rest and renewal, the office is closed for a week-long summer break and a week-long winter break. Among other offerings, we provide an Employee Assistance Program at no cost to the employee, and a generous 7% contribution opportunity on a 403(b)-retirement plan. 

VACCINATION FOR COVID-19 

At The Education Trust, the health and safety of our employees is of the utmost importance. As such, all Education Trust employees are required to be fully vaccinated and remain up to date on their vaccinations for COVID-19. New hires should be fully vaccinated and up to date on their COVID-19 vaccinations prior to their first day of work. Requests for accommodations due to medical or religious reasons will be reviewed by Human Resources.  

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS   

Please provide a cover letter and resume, combined into one document. In the file name, please write the name of the position you are applying for and your last name: e.g., “Director of Educator Engagement_Robinson.” 

We invite you to consider your cover letter as an opportunity to:   

• Tell a story that illuminates your interest in education equity and Ed Trust–West’s mission   
• Share how your background and experience make you the right fit for this position   

Please submit your application materials at Recruitment (adp.com) by the priority deadline of May 31, 2023. Applications will be accepted/reviewed until the position is filled. Incomplete applications will not be accepted. 

The Education Trust is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes candidates from diverse backgrounds.