Director of Government Affairs

About MCPSA & AMCPS

Founded in 2001, the Massachusetts Charter Public School Association (MCPSA) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit membership organization representing charter public schools across the Commonwealth. Collectively, Massachusetts charter public schools are widely recognized as one of the highest performing charter sectors in the country. MCPSA has an extensive history of supporting and advocating for charter public schools, with the mission of creating and protecting the conditions that will enable the charter sector to thrive, contributing toward the common goal of all children having access to high-quality schools. MCPSA is committed to supporting and advancing high-quality public education options that ensure access, opportunity, and belonging for all young people. MCPSA also has a sister 501(c)4 nonprofit sister organization, Advocates for Massachusetts Charter Public Schools (AMCPS), and the two organizations work together in complementary ways to increase political support for charter public schools across the Commonwealth.

Position

The Director of Government Affairs will play an integral role within MCPSA's Public Affairs department and is responsible for the development and execution of legislative strategy to advance MCPSA's policy agenda. The Director of Government Affairs will work in close partnership with the team's other Director of Government Affairs to develop and execute legislative strategy to advance MCPSA's policy agenda. The Director of Government Affairs will manage relationships with key decision makers in various levels of state government as well as candidates for elected office, through political activities coordinated by AMCPS. In addition, the Director of Government Affairs will motivate and train MCPSA member schools to be effective advocacy partners, all toward the goal of strengthening bipartisan support for charter public schools in Massachusetts and achieving both offensive and defensive advocacy priorities. The Director of Government Affairs reports to the Chief of Public Affairs.

Responsibilities

• In collaboration with the Chief of Public Affairs and the team's other Director of Government Affairs, lead the development of MCPSA's advocacy agenda, aligned with the organization's strategic plan. Develop and implement strategies to build support for Massachusetts charter public schools and the Association's advocacy priorities, enabling achievement of both offensive and defensive goals in both the immediate term and the longer-term
• Draft legislative language relevant to MCPSA's advocacy agenda, including bill and amendment proposals, fact sheets, calls to action, bill summaries and policy briefs, regulatory comments, analyses, and presentations
• Maintain active, working knowledge of Massachusetts charter public school laws and regulations. Monitor, analyze, and report on state-level legislation affecting charter public schools, and recommend positions for MCPSA to take on relevant legislation. Liaise with national partners to monitor national legislation and recommend MCPSA's position and advocacy strategy, when appropriate
• Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with key legislators, policymakers, and their staff, serving as a lobbyist and one of MCPSA's key points of contact with elected decision-makers on all policy matters
• Plan and execute legislative meetings and meetings with candidates for elected office, leveraging other members of the team and member schools as appropriate.
• Ensure effective communication about policy matters with member schools. Collaborate with other members of the Public Affairs team to lead the Charters SPEAK community of practice, MCPSA's community of practice for school-based communications and advocacy leaders. Develop training sessions and resources to equip schools and their stakeholders with the knowledge and skills needed to effectively engage key legislators and build support for MCPSA's advocacy agenda.
• In partnership with the Director of Community Mobilization, identify and facilitate high-impact opportunities to engage charter public school stakeholders as advocates for key legislative priorities, including calls-to-action, lobbying days, campaign events, and other events to build constituent relationships with individual candidates and legislators.
• Manage the use of legislative tracking tools across the Public Affairs team
• Manage and effectively partner with MCPSA's contract lobbyists.
• Support the execution of events designed to further political strategy.
• Effectively partner with other advocacy groups as appropriate. Participate in legislative coalitions as necessary to achieve policy outcomes. Represent MCPSA on policy working groups, task forces and working committees, and at special events
• Other activities, as requested by the Chief of Public Affairs
  
  

Requirements

Qualifications

• A belief in the power and possibility of charter public schools and an unwavering commitment to educational equity
• Minimum of 5 years of experience working in or around state legislatures as a lobbyist, advocate, or legislative staff, including some experience with the Massachusetts legislature. Keen knowledge of the Massachusetts legislative process and key state legislators is necessary. Experience with education policy and education policymakers preferred
• Strategic critical thinking and problem solving skills, with a demonstrated ability to assess opportunities and challenges and recommend actionable solutions
• Superb relationship building skills, with demonstrated ability to build rapport across lines of difference and support for controversial issues over time
• Strong ability to compellingly communicate organizational priorities and complex policy issues to diverse stakeholders, from policy experts within the legislature to grassroots stakeholders with limited policy experience.
• Excellent written, verbal, and collaboration skills; high attention to detail, with the ability to stay focused and nimble, managing multiple priorities independently in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to hold sensitive information with discretion and confidentiality
• Bachelor's degree required. A Juris Doctor (JD) degree is a plus
  
  

Don't meet every single requirement? At MCPSA we are dedicated to building a team that is reflective of the communities we serve and is strengthened by the varied backgrounds and experiences of team members. If you're excited about this role but your experience does not align perfectly with every qualification in this job description, we encourage you to apply.

Benefits

Compensation and Benefits

The base annual pay for this position is $95,000 - $110,000 plus a competitive compensation package, including 25 days of paid time off, paid office closure between Christmas and New Years, 12 paid holidays, an annual cost of labor adjustment, 75% of health insurance, 100% of dental, life and disability insurance, a professional development stipend, a 4% 401(k) match, and potential for an annual team bonus.

Location and Schedule

MCPSA is a virtual organization with team members working remotely. General working hours are 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., with flexibility required. A significant amount of work will be in person at the State House in Boston, with some travel required throughout the state. Candidates should possess a valid driver's license and access to reliable transportation. Residence within Massachusetts, and specifically within 20 miles from Boston, is strongly preferred.

Notice of Inclusion

We are committed to cultivating a team that reflects the communities we serve. As an Equal Opportunity Employer MCPSA does not discriminate on the basis of an individual's sex, age, race, color, national origin, alienage, religion, marital status, pregnancy, sexual orientation or affectional preference, gender identity and expression, accessibility needs, citizenship, veteran or military status and other personal characteristics protected by law. MCPSA recognizes and respects that varied perspectives and experiences are valuable to our team and essential to achieving our purpose.