Vice President of Policy, 50CAN

Vice President, Policy

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, regardless of their address. 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 Research and Advocacy in Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Hawaii, New Jersey, New York, New Mexico, North Carolina, and Tennessee and is led by CEO & Founder Marc Porter Magee.

Position

The Vice President of Policy develops and shapes the overall policy direction of the organization. They work to advance policy priorities and implement strategies to achieve the organization’s goals.  The position reports to the President of 50CAN and serves as a member of the Leadership team with the CEO, President, Executive Vice President and 50CAN VP’s.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Provides support to the Executive Vice President and state Executive Directors in the development and implementation of policy priorities during the legislative sessions.
• Collaborates across the organization’s fellowship programs to manage and mentor Policy Fellows, in partnership with the President.
• Provides reliable analysis and strategic guidance related to national and state policy work grant deliverables.
• Cultivate and work with partners and other aligned organizations to build a larger, more cohesive consensus for our Believe in Better framework.
• Collaborates with the President and the CEO to support the organization's point of view across social and other media platforms through independent research and in-the-moment fact finding.
• Researches and designs original policy briefs for 50CAN national and state teams as needed.
• Analyze partner and opposition policy and devise appropriate strategies to support, adapt, or oppose when needed.
• Writes, speaks, and supports 50CAN’s vision for a more dynamic education system.
• Represent 50CAN publicly related to national and state policy activity; including panels and other convenings as needed. Stand in for the President and the CEO when appropriate.

The ideal candidate is a creative problem solver interested in why and how things can be done not how they cannot be done. The candidate will also have experience working in the education policy field with a passion about using their skills and experiences on behalf of ensuring every child receives a high-quality education.

In addition, the successful candidate will be driven by strong values, integrity and humility. Our core values (“PORCH”) are plussing it, optimism, relentlessness, candor and humility.

50CAN is particularly interested in applicants who have:

• Familiarity with applicable research literature relating to education policy and the ability to quickly synthesize research and deploy it to support our policy initiatives.

• Excellent people skills; job requires working well with diverse personalities and preferences, and not being easily offended in tense situations.

• Demonstrated experience as a team leader and/or manager.

• Sense of humor, passion, strong work ethic, creativity and willingness to be scrappy and 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.

• Flexibility - Ability to quickly adapt plans and goals to constantly changing circumstances.

• Willingness to travel and to work occasional weekends and evenings.

How to apply

Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience. This role will require periodic travel for full-staff events, planning sessions and various events. 50CAN is an equal opportunity employer and we encourage individuals from diverse backgrounds to apply.

Interested applicants should apply through 50CAN’s BambooHR portal HERE.