Manager of Research & Policy

START DATE:

December 2025

APPLICATION DEADLINE:

The priority deadline for applications is October 10th. Anything received after that date will be kept on file and considered if the position is not filled.

REPORTS TO:

Director of Research & Policy

WORK TYPE:

The Partnership team works in a hybrid capacity. This position is based in Los Angeles and is a combination of working remotely, in our Downtown LA office, and at Partnership schools. This is a full-time, year-round position.

ABOUT THE PARTNERSHIP FOR LOS ANGELES SCHOOLS

Launched in 2007, the Partnership for Los Angeles Schools’ mission is to transform schools to revolutionize school systems, empowering all students with a high-quality education. The Partnership is a non-profit, in-district partner to LA Unified, not a charter network. As an independent nonprofit organization, the Partnership serves 13,550 students across 20 LA Unified schools in Boyle Heights, South Los Angeles, and Watts. The Partnership works within the LA Unified School District context, which includes honoring all collective bargaining agreements for its teachers and school staff. To learn more about the Partnership, our mission, and how we approach our goals, please visit our website.

ABOUT THE POSITION

The Partnership for Los Angeles Schools is seeking a Manager of Research & Policy to support the organization’s policy and advocacy efforts through high-quality research, policy and data analysis, and policy strategy. This position will play a key role in advancing educational equity by designing and leading research projects, co-developing multi-year campaign strategies, supporting family and community partnerships, and translating complex state and local policy landscapes into accessible and actionable insights. The Manager of Research & Policy will collaborate closely with internal teams and community partners to ensure that policy positions reflect the lived experiences of students, families, and educators across Partnership schools. The role will also support external influence strategies by contributing to public-facing materials, presentations, and learning exchanges, supporting legislative analysis, and representing the Partnership in key external spaces. This position will report to the Director of Research & Policy.

The Manager of Research & Policy has a direct impact on the 2030 strategic plan by driving policy strategies that remove systemic barriers in staffing, supporting Black students and emergent bilingual learners, and protecting equitable funding. Through research, analysis, and community-centered advocacy, this role translates policy into practice and strengthens systems change within Partnership schools and the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD), throughout the state of California, and nationally.

The Partnership is committed to continuously building an anti-racist culture that promotes diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in classrooms and in our home office. The Manager of Research & Policy will be someone who is committed to implementing these values in creative ways when executing day-to-day tasks and responsibilities.

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES

Position responsibilities include but are not limited to:

Research & Strategy

• Design and lead research projects in alignment with the Partnership’s policy, advocacy, and family engagement strategies, focused on generating actionable insights to inform policy and practice
• Support the development and execution of a multi-year campaign strategy with a primary focus on Emergent Bilinguals and Equitable Staffing initiatives
• Analyze and synthesize data from educators, families, Partnership schools, and publicly available datasets to shape policy positions, elevate key narratives, and ensure advocacy strategies reflect the experiences of community members
• Ensure alignment between research, policy campaigns, and family and community engagement strategies through cross-functional collaboration

Policy Analysis & Influence

• Develop policy briefs, memos, slide decks, and research summaries that translate complex data and policy landscapes for a range of audiences, including staff, educators, students, families, funders, media, and policymakers
• Produce timely analyses of LAUSD board resolutions, budgets, and state legislative developments, providing clear takeaways and recommendations
• Collaborate with the Director of Research & Policy to analyze local and state-level legislation and budgets, and identify timely opportunities for organizational sign-ons, advocacy, and alignment with broader policy priorities
• Connect systemic research insights to school-level practice and implementation across the Partnership network
• Support the design and facilitation of family leadership programs, including the Policy Advisory Board, Parent College, and United Parents for Educational Justice, contributing research insights and policy context to deepen learning and engagement
• Integrate student, family, and educator perspectives into major research publications and advocacy pushes

External Engagement

• Build and maintain positive working relationships with LAUSD’s Committee on External Research and Review (CERR)
• Support the planning, coordination, and logistics for research-focused events, such as convenings, webinars, and briefings
• Represent the Partnership in external meetings with policymakers, partner organizations, coalitions, research institutions, and other strategic spaces that foster research and policy analysis in our priority areas
• Support student, family, and educator engagement in public advocacy efforts, including during mobilizations and the Partnership’s annual Advocacy Days event
• Contribute to the creation and review of public-facing materials that communicate organizational perspectives and elevate the voices of impacted communities

POSITION FIRST-YEAR PRIORITIES

A successful first year in this role will look like:

• Collaborate with the Director of Research and Policy to provide policy and data analysis for the Policy, Advocacy, and Leadership team, and to inform advocacy and mobilization strategies
• Co-lead authorship on 1-2 policy reports and 3-4 informational products for external dissemination
• Build relationships and collaborate with Partnership staff and external partners to help inform and strengthen our policy and advocacy strategies
• Build relationships with students, parents, and educators to support their advocacy skills
• Submit research proposals for internal and external approval as needed

REQUIREMENTS & QUALIFICATIONS

• 3-5 years of relevant experience, including significant experience with policy analysis, research, and advocacy
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience preferred
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with a proven ability to tailor content for diverse audiences (educators, families, policymakers, funders, media)
• Strong research skills, including design and execution of qualitative and quantitative studies, data analysis, and synthesis of complex information into clear, accessible formats
• Working knowledge of local and state K-12 education policy landscapes (e.g., staffing, funding, multilingual learners) and ability to analyze legislation, budgets, and district-level initiatives
• Experience producing policy briefs, reports, fact sheets, and public-facing materials grounded in research and aligned with organizational priorities
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects with attention to accuracy, timelines, and collaborative input across teams
• Excellent organization and coordination skills with high attention to detail
• Ability to travel between school sites and Partnership Home Office
• Spanish language fluency (spoken and written), preferred
• A deep belief in the power of our communities, the Partnership’s mission, approach, and core values
• A commitment to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive work environment for all team members
• A willingness to learn, grow, and model the Partnership competencies: Anti-racism, root cause analysis, long-term thinking, teaming and collaboration, psychological safety, and learning and growth

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

The starting salary range for external/internal candidates is $78,766-84,394. The Partnership’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion extends to our compensation practices. Our goal is to ensure that salaries are fair for all staff members who hold many intersectional identities, and we set salaries based on a robust compensation model grounded in consistency and transparency. The exact salary for this position is set through the Partnership’s compensation policy and is dependent on the candidate’s relevant skills, experiences, and organizational tenure. In support of our vision for pay equity, candidate salaries are determined by a formula and we do not negotiate.

The Partnership also offers a robust benefits package including employer-paid health, dental, and vision insurance for employees and their dependents; a 403(b) retirement program with employee match and vesting; parental and sabbatical leaves; a professional development allowance; and generous paid time off.

APPLICATION GUIDELINES

Please prepare your resume and a cover letter tailored to this position. You will submit your documents and application via this link.

Research shows that women and individuals from systemically marginalized communities are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet all of the qualifications. While this job description outlines the major responsibilities and requirements to be successful in this role, the Partnership is committed to considering all applicants who are passionate about our mission and can see themselves excelling in this role – including those with diverse and non-traditional work experience.

For technical assistance or support for applying with a disability, please contact the Home Office Talent Team.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Partnership for Los Angeles Schools is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to – and actively pursues – diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace. The Partnership prohibits discrimination based on race (including traits historically associated with race such as hairstyle), creed, color, religion, registered domestic partner status, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender, gender expression, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, citizenship status, age, military and veteran status, medical condition, genetic information, political affiliation, pregnancy or childbirth, physical disability or mental disability, or any other basis protected by federal, state, or local law or ordinance or regulation. The Partnership also prohibits discrimination based on the perception that anyone has any of these characteristics, or is associated with a person who has or is perceived as having any of those characteristics.

This policy applies to all employment practices within our organization, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, training, transfer, wages, benefits, termination, and all other privileges, terms, and conditions of employment.