Director of Advocacy

Originally founded in 1991 as Harlem RBI, DREAM has grown to annually serve more than 2,500 youth across East Harlem and the South Bronx through a network of seven PreK-12, extended-day, extended-year DREAM Charter Schools and community sports-based youth development programs. Through our commitment to rigorous academics, social-emotional learning, deep family and community engagement, and health and wellness, we create lifelong learners who are equipped to fulfill their vision of success in and out of the classroom. We dream big, as well, with an aggressive five-year plan to expand to serve 3,500 students across seven schools—growing our organization’s impact and leveling the playing field for all children. To learn more, visit wearedream.org.

Reporting to the Chief of Staff, the Director of Advocacy is a leader with strong planning, collaboration, and execution skills to drive advocacy efforts in support of DREAM’s schools, programs, families, and communities. Candidates must also be equipped to develop and maintain the requisite infrastructure and tools for a comprehensive advocacy program.

• Develop and lead DREAM's advocacy strategy efforts to inspire, organize, and mobilize a growing and diverse base of community supporters and family advocates in service of organizational goals;
• Establish annual and multi-year advocacy goals and corresponding KPIs in service of DREAM’s mission, ensuring alignment across all levels of the organization;
• Create and maintain the infrastructure, project management, and tracking tools for DREAM’s advocacy function, including but not limited to managing a civic engagement database;
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to identify, plan, and execute local and state actions for DREAM staff, alumni (“Legends”), families, and students to develop their advocacy skills;
• Manage relationships with partner advocacy organizations, elected officials, and key stakeholders in education policy;
• Create and implement training programs for DREAM staff, alumni (“Legends”), families, and students to develop their advocacy skills;
• Supervise the Manager of Community Engagement and Government Affairs to ensure alignment with advocacy strategy;
• Participate in travel related to advocacy for DREAM around New York state and beyond;
• Monitor and analyze education policy developments at local, state, and national levels;
• In collaboration with DREAM’s communications team, drive production of advocacy-related communications and outreach materials; and
• Represent DREAM at external events and in coalitions focused on education policy and advocacy.

• High School Diploma required; Bachelor's degree highly preferred;
• Minimum of five years of experience in advocacy, community organizing, or education policy, required;
• Demonstrated track record developing and executing multi-year organizing and advocacy strategies or campaigns, required;
• Experience working in PK-12 schools serving diverse and low-income communities;
• Strong understanding of education policy issues at local, state, and national levels;
• Bilingual English/Spanish is strongly preferred;
• Ability to think critically and maintain a detail-orientation when accomplishing all tasks;
• Exemplary interpersonal skills for a wide variety of stakeholders from families to external partners;
• A strong belief in the mission and values of DREAM, including the belief that all students can succeed, and a deep desire to make a difference in the lives of our students, families, and community.

• 5 days a week in person with some remote flexibility.
• Ability to travel across DREAM locations, in addition to some local, state, and national travel on behalf of DREAM.

• We offer comprehensive benefits including:
• Flexible Medical Health Plans,  subsidizing the majority of costs for the employee, their spouse/domestic partner and children;
• The ability to select between a variety of medical plans according to what best suits the employee’s needs;
• Dental and vision plans;
• Disability benefits;
• Life insurance;
• Up to 12 weeks fully paid of Parental Leave; 
• Flexible spending account options;
• Pre-tax commuter benefits (parking and transit);
• Fitness and entertainment discounts;
• A variety of support through our employee assistance program (EAP);
• A 403(b) retirement plan with employer matching up to 4% after one year of employment;
• Access to a professional development fund;
• Referral bonuses;
• All full-time Network Leadership employees are eligible for approximately 48 days off throughout the year including holidays, sick days, personal days and summer Fridays;
• Benefits are subject to change.

• DREAM offers a competitive salary commensurate with relevant experience with the potential for an annual performance-based increase. The incoming salary range for this position is $115,000 to $125,000 per year. New hires are typically brought into the organization at a salary closer to the start of the range depending on qualifications, internal equity, and the budgeted amount for the role. All staff are eligible for annual performance-based increases. Because we value staff tenure in each role, we do not currently cap salary ranges.

Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

At DREAM, diversity, equity, and inclusion are a matter of mission. 

From our schools to our playing fields, DREAM is committed to building a team where each individual can bring their full identity and experience to work because representation matters—it enriches our team culture, enhances our ability to innovate, and strengthens our impact in and out of the classroom. DREAM engages staff that represent and appreciate the diversity of our majority Black and Hispanic student body, while working to ensure that our practices are equitable, welcoming, and productive. We are dedicated to creating a world where youth, especially youth of color, have permission to dream—along with the tools and opportunities to make their dreams reality.

Come dream with us.

DREAM Maxims 

All Kids Can. This Kid Can.

DREAM is Family.

Fun is a Serious Value.

Teamwork Makes the DREAM Work.

Fail. Persist. Exceed.

DREAM Big.

Applying to DREAM

We know applying for a new job can be a daunting process. In addition, studies have shown that historically underrepresented individuals often only apply to roles if they meet 100% of the qualifications. We encourage all applications! You may be just the person we need. If you have any questions about your application or interview process, do not hesitate to ask your recruiter; we are here to help!

DREAM provides reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and applicable state and local laws. If accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact your recruiter.

Salary : $115,000 - $125,000