What are the responsibilities and job description for the Michigan State Director position at The Education Trust?
ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION AND THE OPPORTUNITY
The Education Trust (EdTrust) seeks a State Director to lead our policy and advocacy agenda in Michigan. The State Director will champion and steward work in service of EdTrust’s mission in Michigan: to close opportunity gaps that disproportionately affect students of color and students from low-income backgrounds.
The State Director manages the EdTrust Michigan team and leads the development and advancement of EdTrust's P12 and Higher Ed policy agenda through state and local coalition-driven advocacy, adapting and aligning EdTrust’s policy positions and advocacy agendas to best fit the local context. The position engages externally with partners, policymakers, funders and advocates, as well as internally with EdTrust-National staff and other EdTrust team members, to eliminate disparities in opportunity, access, and achievement. This position supervises a small team of full-time staff, interns, and contractors while overseeing fundraising and budget management for the Michigan office.
Ed Trust is comprised of fierce advocates for the high academic achievement of all students — pre-kindergarten through college, particularly those of color or living in poverty. Through research and advocacy, Ed Trust’s goal is to close the gaps in opportunity and achievement that affect millions of young people across the U.S. — especially students of color and those from low-income families. We work alongside educators, policymakers, parents, and community and business leaders across the country to advocate transforming schools and colleges into institutions that serve all students well. Lessons learned in these efforts, together with unflinching data analyses, help shape our state and national policy agendas.
This role, available immediately, is based in Michigan and works from a home office in the state of Michigan, often attending in-person meetings and events in Lansing, Detroit, and throughout the state. The State Director reports to the VP, Partnerships & Engagement.
ABOUT THE STATE DIRECTOR ROLE
The responsibilities and objectives for the State Director include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Lead a dynamic and healthy team by identifying and retaining diverse talent, coaching and developing direct reports, and assessing performance
- Set, monitor, and measure the Michigan team’s strategic vision, long and short-term goals, and priorities, and ensuring alignment with EdTrust’s overarching strategic plan and policy priority areas
- Monitor state and local trends to understand and strategically position EdTrust within Michigan’s evolving policy and advocacy landscape
- Oversee, review and approve all external-facing communications for the Michigan team to maximize reach, engagement, and influence with advocates, policymakers, and media
- Cultivate and secure philanthropic, individual, and corporate investors to meet annual fundraising objectives and build long-term financial sustainability for our work in Michigan
- Represent EdTrust with external audiences in Michigan, maintaining a profile that uplifts organizational priorities and strengthens relationships with media, policymakers, community leaders, educators, and funders
- Engage P12 and Higher Ed advocacy partners across the state to contribute expertise, identify policy opportunities, and collaboratively advance priorities
- Coordinate with EdTrust’s National and State offices to build mutual support for one another’s work and to align on organization-wide priorities
- Develop and manage the Michigan team’s budget and resources in line with strategic priorities and grant commitments
IDEAL SKILLS AND CHARACTERISTICS
- Shared belief in EdTrust’s mission and a commitment to improving educational equity with a focus on race equity
- Dedication in contributing to and maintaining an equitable working environment
- Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including public speaking and presentation skills that build momentum for and support of the work being presented
- Problem solving and analytical ability
- Strategic thinker, planner, and organizer, with the ability to navigate priorities of multiple stakeholders at once to generate wins
- Strong relationship-building and collaboration skills with internal and external stakeholders, particularly across lines of difference and in service of overarching policy and advocacy goals
- Willingness to provide constructive feedback to others; as well as to receive and act upon feedback from others
- Ability to exercise decisiveness and sound judgement
QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
The ideal candidate will possess the following qualifications and experience:
- At least a bachelor’s degree; an advanced degree in public policy, organizational development, nonprofit management, community development, or a related field a plus
- At least 10 years of relevant experience in education policy and advocacy, with substantial nonprofit leadership or management experience
- Experience fundraising to secure six-figure grants, working especially with private foundations
- Deep understanding of P-12 and higher ed education equity issues in Michigan
- Deep experience working with coalitions / advocacy groups / organizing
COMPENSATION
This position falls in Level H of our salary structure, which has a new hire offer range of $152,112 - $190,140. Offers will be commensurate with skills, experience, and internal equity and rarely fall at the top of this 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 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% matching 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.
QUALIFIED CANDIDATES, PLEASE APPLY
The Education Trust is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes candidates from diverse backgrounds.
To apply, please complete the application in ADP, including submitting an updated resume and responding to the short answer questions.
Salary : $152,112 - $190,140