Executive Director, ConnCAN

Executive Director, ConnCAN

The Opportunity

Connecticut’s education system is often touted as being amongst the best in the nation. Beneath the headlines, though, is the disturbing reality that Connecticut has persistent achievement and opportunity gaps. Many of our students -- especially our students of color and in our urban communities -- are still being left behind. This reality was exacerbated during the Covid-19 pandemic as schools in our low-income and urban areas remained closed at higher rates than our more affluent school districts. ConnCAN’s next visionary, passionate leader will help bridge and eliminate the widening achievement and opportunity gaps as Connecticut plots its education recovery.

About ConnCAN

ConnCAN is a nonprofit education policy and advocacy organization. ConnCAN works in partnership with education leaders, elected officials, parents, students and other stakeholders from across the state to advance education policy change. Since launching in 2005, ConnCAN has emerged as a trusted voice on education in the state and secured key policy wins that have advanced this mission, including more stable and equitable school funding, growth in the number of high-quality schools in our state, and securing a more diverse educator workforce.

An important part of ConnCAN’s success as a convener in the education landscape is the leadership of our advisory board. The ConnCAN board is chaired by Rebecca Good.

ConnCAN is a part of the 50CAN network, which believes in locally-led advocacy work that is supported by the 50CAN national team.

About 50CAN

50CAN: The 50-State Campaign for Achievement Now, is a nonprofit organization that works at the local level to advocate for a high-quality education for all kids. We develop local education leaders by providing them with the research, tools and ideas needed to create learning environments that best meet every child’s needs. 50CAN operates campaigns in Connecticut, Delaware, Colorado, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina and Tennessee and is led by CEO & Founder Marc Porter Magee. Part of its role is to provide back office support to its state campaigns, so that the local campaigns can devote more time to creating lasting change.

About the position

As our next Executive Director, you will work collaboratively with the advisory board chair and local partners to address the pressing issues facing Connecticut students.  You will work with the board and local partners to set ambitious and strategic goals to address key policy challenges. You will oversee the ConnCAN team, and jointly execute the policy campaigns identified each year by the team and board.

Key Responsibilities

Advocate-in-Chief:  You will collaborate with state partners to change state policy through legislative and administrative action by crafting and executing the organization’s strategy and policy campaign plans.

Spokesperson: You will be the voice of our advocacy in speeches, meetings, media outreach and written communication across the state, effectively communicating complex policy and research arguments to a broad range of individuals and groups.

Fundraising: You will be the primary driver of the effort to secure philanthropic funding to ensure the long-term sustainability of ConnCAN and build upon the existing funding secured to date.

Manager and mentor: You will be the leader of the Connecticut team and must have the ability to effectively and concisely report relevant issues up to the advisory board and 50CAN staff.  The executive director must also serve as both a strong manager and mentor for the team.

Key skills, abilities, and experience

The ideal candidate has strong ties to the state, a deep commitment to education reform, a successful track record running issue advocacy or political campaigns (or comparable start-up or government initiatives), a solid understanding of education policy and strong relationships with funders and policy makers. They will be extraordinarily entrepreneurial and dedicated to our mission. Additionally, they will demonstrate:

Strategic thinking and management experience

• Ideally, 5-10 years in a middle or senior management role, preferably in an advocacy, politics or education context.
• Past success designing and leading a long-term, multi-faceted project, campaign or initiative—an ability to implement vision, think strategically, take initiative creatively, problem solve, exercise good judgment, lead change and exceed established goals.
• Demonstrated track record of taking initiative and making difficult decisions.
• Demonstrated track record of taking and defending unpopular or contrary positions in public forums such as legislative testimony, op-eds, press quotes, etc.
• Work experience in Connecticut and familiarity with key players at the state and/or local levels.
• Excellent people skills; past success convening different groups or individuals, cultivating buy-in and developing a consensus.

Communication skills

• Ability to effectively tailor messages and communications that engage community leaders, teachers and other stakeholders.
• An aptitude for building and maintaining relationships with individuals from diverse backgrounds.

Track record as a team player

• Sense of humor, passion, strong work ethic, creativity and willingness to do “whatever it takes” in a fast-paced work environment.
• Record of perseverance in the face of challenges, delivering against timelines and not being intimidated by tasks or time limitations.
• Integrity (doing what’s right, even when it is uncomfortable), candor and directness.
• Possess the ability to adapt plans and goals quickly to changing circumstances and political winds.

How to apply

Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience. 50CAN offers a comprehensive and robust benefits package. Interested candidates should submit a resume and cover letter via our BambooHR portal link HERE.

50CAN is an equal-opportunity employer, and we encourage people from diverse backgrounds to apply.