Director of Advocacy & Community Engagement

Mississippi Charter Schools Association (MCSA)

MCSA is the statewide voice for public charter schools in Mississippi. We work to ensure every child has access to an excellent public school by strengthening high-quality charter schools and advancing the policies and partnerships they need to thrive. Our work spans leadership development, direct school support, and policy advocacy.

Our 2026–2028 strategic plan focuses on three priorities: strengthening existing schools, developing the next generation of leaders, and building the conditions for sustainable sector growth.

We are in an early stage of building a coordinated statewide advocacy function. Much of this work is still being defined in practice and will be shaped through close engagement with school leaders, families, and community partners, and through ongoing learning about what builds trust, participation, and influence in Mississippi. Those insights will inform how we design the systems and strategy that underpin MCSA’s long-term advocacy work.

Position Overview

The Director of Advocacy & Community Engagement will lead MCSA’s grassroots engagement and advocacy strategy across Mississippi, reporting to the Executive Director. This role is responsible for building the relationships, systems, and field presence needed to connect charter school leaders, families, and community stakeholders to coordinated advocacy efforts.

This work is grounded in field engagement and relationship-building. Early success will come from spending significant time with school leaders, families, and community partners—building trust, understanding what drives participation, identifying barriers to engagement, and learning how communities mobilize around shared priorities. These insights will directly inform how MCSA’s statewide advocacy infrastructure is designed and scaled over time.

What Success Looks Like In Year One

By the end of the first year, this role will have helped MCSA build the foundational relationships, systems, and field presence needed for coordinated statewide advocacy. Success will look like:

• A growing, active statewide network of school leaders, families, and community stakeholders engaged in MCSA’s advocacy efforts.
• Core engagement systems in place, including a functioning stakeholder database and communication infrastructure to support consistent outreach and coordination.
• Regular execution of key field and advocacy moments (such as Charter Day at the Capitol and convenings) that strengthen relationships and visibility across communities and with policymakers.
• Strong, trust-based relationships across the charter sector, with MCSA recognized as a credible and visible presence in schools, communities, and policy spaces.
• A clearer, field-tested understanding of what an effective statewide advocacy model should look like in Mississippi, informing how the work evolves beyond year one.

Key Responsibilities

• Grassroots Engagement, Field Learning, & Network Building: Build and sustain trusted relationships across Mississippi’s charter school ecosystem, including school leaders, families, and community stakeholders. This role is rooted in consistent field presence, with a focus on understanding what drives engagement and how communities mobilize. Over time, this work will form the foundation of a durable statewide advocacy network.
• Advocacy Strategy, Campaign Development, and Systems: Design and test approaches to advocacy that connect community voice to key policy moments. Build the basic systems and rhythms needed to track relationships, coordinate outreach, and support consistent engagement. Early emphasis is on learning what works and building infrastructure that can scale, rather than running fully formalized campaigns.
• Policy Support & Organizational Alignment: Ensure grassroots engagement is aligned with MCSA’s policy priorities and legislative strategy. Support coordination around key moments such as legislative sessions and convenings, and translate field insights into messaging, materials, and engagement strategies in partnership with the Executive Director and team.

Qualifications

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in a relevant field
• 5 years in advocacy, organizing, public policy, campaigns, or coalition-building
• Experience building and mobilizing networks or stakeholder groups
• Understanding of legislative or policy processes
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills
• Comfort working in ambiguity and building systems from the ground up
• Willingness to travel statewide (20–30%), including regular field presence in schools and community events
• Experience in or strong familiarity with charter schools, K–12 education, and the Mississippi education landscape

Preferred:

• Experience using advocacy platforms or CRMs (e.g., Action Network, EveryAction, NationBuilder).
• Experience designing or running campaigns or organizing strategies
• Background in education policy or charter schools
• Familiarity with Mississippi political and community landscape
• Experience working with communications teams on public-facing advocacy

What We Offer

• Competitive Salary: $80,000–$105,000, based on experience.
• Flexible Work Environment: Based in Mississippi (Jackson-metro area preferred) in a remote/hybrid work environment.
• Comprehensive Benefits Package: Includes flexible paid time off, comprehensive health coverage, and employer-matched retirement contributions.
• Professional Growth: Opportunities for advancement and leadership within a mission-driven, entrepreneurial team.
• Meaningful Impact: Play a key role in shaping systems and advancing the future of the charter school sector in Mississippi.

Equal Opportunity Statement

MCSA is an equal opportunity employer and encourages individuals of all backgrounds to apply. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive team that reflects the communities we serve.