Advocacy Manager

Advocacy Manager

Organization: Nashville Charter Collaborative, NCC

Reports to: Chief Executive Officer

Location: Nashville, TN

Start Date: July 2024

Overview:

The Advocacy Manager is primarily responsible for identifying, training, and developing parents from across Nashville to be leaders in their communities. These leaders build powerful organizations that successfully protect charter schools so that all children have access to excellent public charter schools. The ideal candidate will be a master community organizer, with an understanding of building collective power and a knack for developing people as leaders in their communities and a comfort with running local and political campaigns.

The Advocacy Manager will also coach, mentor, and develop parent organizers in Nashville to lead and execute local campaigns aligned with the organizational mission of the NCC. The ideal candidate must possess excellent interpersonal skills, hands-on experience coaching and developing leaders, and building community organizations. A positive, can-do attitude, knowledge of the charter school policy and advocacy landscape, and a passion for educational justice make the candidate a good fit for the team.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

(70%)

• Identify, train and develop parents and other community members as leaders in the principles and practices of community organizing in order to build powerful parent-driven teams connected to NCC Families.
• Lead voter registration efforts in collaboration with NCC member schools and partners.
• Conduct at least 9 one-to-one visits with parents and community members every week; ensure parent teams hold regular team meetings.
• Build multiple parent teams that drive local issue work and develop charter school parents into a powerful voice in their schools, neighborhoods, cities, and statewide.
• Develop and lead trainings in collaboration with staff to grow parents in their advocacy, organizing, and leadership skills.
• Train and guide leaders and teams in relationship building, research, and policy development to building political power in Nashville
• Prepare leaders to hold demand meetings, press events, public actions between parents and public officials, including state legislators and local school board members.
• Mobilize parents to lead or attend large public forums, rallies, and demand actions demonstrating the power of charter school parents and families.
• Develop, implement, and adjust unified campaign strategies (state, citywide, and local communities).
• Manage and maintain a timely and comprehensive database of current and potential parents who can be called on for political action and advocacy.
• Execute electoral campaign operations, including coordinating and turning out volunteers for phone banking and canvassing.
• Develop and maintain external relationships related to NCC Families’ community organizing work in Nashville, including political, grasstops, education sector, local government, neighborhood, and faith-based institution relationships which advance NCC Families goals in Nashville.
• Develop a proficiency in education reform issues, learning best practices in school development, education policy, and the elements of excellent public schools.
• Complete daily administrative and reporting activities, including timely submission of timesheets, significant daily data entry of field activities, and meeting reports.
• Performs other duties as required to support the organization and its mission.

(30%)

• Develop and train 1-2 parent organizers as they identify, develop, and partner with charter school parents to win local and statewide campaigns.
• Deliver onboarding trainings to new parent organizers.
• Help organizers develop and implement parent campaigns, knowing their community and issues; remain a step ahead in knowledge of local and statewide organizing opportunities to inform campaign design; articulate specific, developmentally appropriate and differentiated strategies to engage families in campaigns.
• Support the organizer in fostering relationships with community based organizations, faith leaders, elected officials, civic and community leaders that lead to positive engagement of the community and neighborhoods where NCC Families have a presence.
• Hold weekly one-on-one coaching sessions that include an agenda focused on skill-building, feedback from the lead organizer on the past week’s observations in the field, and action steps and a clear plan to achieve development goals.
• Observe assigned organizers in the field at least twice weekly, with coaching and reflection on observations of 1:1s, team meetings, parent actions or trainings.
• Use observations from the field to inform organizers’ individual professional development plans that tie-in to career goals as well as performance evaluations.

Required Capabilities:

• Knowledge of and belief in the essential role of charter schools as a means for improved educational options for students and a lever for broader educational change in Nashville.
• Demonstrated track record of exemplary community organizing and leadership development experience.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Experience managing multiple, simultaneous work efforts and a strong ability to plan strategically and deliver results.
• Ability to stay on top of specific tasks and consistently meet deadlines.
• Ability to embrace the changing landscape and adapt quickly.
• Proven ability to motivate self and others to take action.
• Use outcomes-based data and information to help drive performance.
• Strong commitment to social and educational justice.
• Willingness to work flexible hours including weeknights and weekends; ability to travel and work remotely; driver’s license, insurance and access to a vehicle.
• Strong technology skills with expertise in MS Office and G-Suite.

Preferred Capabilities:

• Experience in management or management training
• 1-5 years of professional work experience
• Prior experience in community or political organizing
• Campaigning, lobbying, advocacy, public policy, training or relevant experience

This job description is intended to convey information essential to understanding the scope of the role and is not exhaustive. Duties and responsibilities may evolve over time to meet the organization's needs.

Working Environment and Commitment to Diversity:

The NCC strives to create a working environment that honors the unique assets and needs of each team member. We do not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin, ancestry, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations. These activities include, but are not limited to, hiring and firing of staff and contractors, selection of volunteers and vendors, and provision of services. We are committed to providing an inclusive and equitable environment that is welcoming and respectful for all members of our staff, partners, contractors, and vendors.

The NCC team works in a hybrid setting, with an option to work from home or use our Nashville office as desired, in addition to regular in-person meetings in the office, at schools, or in other settings. We are flexible on set business hours in order to meet the needs of our team members, but the role does require a daily (Monday to Friday) presence at predictable times. There will be some evening, weekend, and holiday obligations for this role.

Compensation and Benefits:

The NCC offers a competitive compensation package commensurate with experience. The salary range for this role is $60-$65k and includes health insurance (medical, dental, and vision), unlimited paid time off, paid family medical leave, short-term disability, long-term disability and a 403(b) plan. Life insurance, a mental health and wellness benefit, a cell phone stipend, and a parking benefit are also provided and taxable to the employee. An annual bonus may be paid at the discretion of NCC’s Board of Directors.

HOW TO APPLY

Please send the following to

• Cover letter & Resume
• List of Three References with phone numbers and emails (will only contact after notifying you)

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $60,000.00 - $65,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday
• Weekends as needed

Ability to Relocate:

• Nashville, TN: Relocate before starting work (Preferred)

Work Location: In person