Director of Advocacy

Company Description

KIPP Texas Public Schools is a network of 54 public charter, open-enrollment, pre-k-12 schools educating nearly 32,000 students across Austin, Dallas-Ft. Worth, Houston, and San Antonio. Together with families and communities, our mission is to create joyful, academically excellent schools that prepare students with the skills and confidence to pursue the paths they choose —college, career, and beyond—so they can lead fulfilling lives and build a more fair world.

Founded in Houston in 1994 and operating as KIPP Texas since 2018, we are looking to hire a diverse team of dynamic, collaborative, and dedicated individuals with an unyielding belief that every child will succeed. KIPP Texas is a team and family with an unwavering commitment to creating classrooms, offices, and communities rooted in belongingness, academic success and joy.

KIPP Public Schools is a national network of public charter schools that prepares students with the skills and confidence to create the future they want for themselves, their communities, and us all. We are a network of 278 schools with nearly 16,500 educators and 190,000 students and alumni.

Job Description

ROLE OVERVIEW:
Team Purpose: The Advocacy Team, is a sub-team under the broader Chief of Staff division, and exists to
engage political stakeholders and advocates, empower and educate communities on civic leadership and engagement. More specifically, the team leads the statewide, local, and municipal advocacy efforts by engaging with elected officials and members of the community, monitoring all aspects of the Legislative Session, and by providing regular updates for the senior leadership, board members groups, and other internal and external stakeholders. Members of this Team support and/or lead all aspects of the Civic Education Program as outlined in the Houston Endowment Grant. Additionally, this team supports initiatives outlined in the KIPP Texas multi year plan.

The Director of Advocacy reports directly to the Senior Director of Advocacy. The Director of Advocacy will be responsible for leading Advocacy and supporting some aspects of the Civic Education Program in Houston. Specific functions of this role include, but are not limited to: statewide advocacy initiatives and efforts, managing municipal relationships in designated regions, and leading the relationship building and management with local and statewide elected officials; lead organizing the Advocacy Team for Get out the Vote and senior registration; partner with schools to share resources for non-partisan organizations and; coordinates with Texas Public Charter School Association and other relevant education entities on advocacy related matters. The Advocacy Director partners with the Senior Director of Advocacy to: ensure the senior leadership are updated and informed about high-level legislative matters; supports the four Regional Advocacy Committees by providing legislative updates and training to empower members to meet with elected officials; supports all aspects of the Legislative Sessions, and provides periodic Advocacy updates for each Regional Board. In addition to the advocacy related work, the Director will support some aspects of the civic engagement, civic education, and
associated initiatives, along with other future KIPP Texas priorities. The Director, along with all members
of the Advocacy Team will support relevant initiatives outlined in the multi year plan. This position may be based out of Houston, San Antonio, or Austin. Some travel may be required.

Key Responsibilities
● Complex Problem Solving: Balance a data-driven, analytical, and rational problem solving skill set with the understanding that people and relationships matter (leading with both head and heart). Utilize both qualitative and quantitative data synthesis to support with building strategies to meet team and organizational goals. Engage in innovative thinking and strategies to navigate challenges and obstacles that may arise. Demonstrate an adaptive mindset with an ability to concurrently see the big picture while focusing on the details (can see the forest for the trees).
● Planning and Execution: Lead, develop and implement effective strategies for all advocacy activities and initiatives, backwards mapping to achieve outlined goals and objectives. The Director will be fully responsible for all aspects of planning, project management, and execution of the Get Out the Vote and other campus voting initiatives.
● Stakeholder Management: Identify all key internal and external stakeholders advocacy stakeholders and create an engagement plan that engages stakeholders at the right level and right time, including: families, community members, staff, and elected officials at all levels. Ensure all engagement opportunities are organized by: developing agendas, securing building space and organizing logistics, ensuring the right people are invited/present, participants are aware of proper protocol with hosting and addressing elected officials. Intentionally build buy-in and gather feedback on legislative visits, engagement events, and other advocacy related endeavors. Build influence across KIPP Texas so all stakeholders are informed and provided opportunities to engage. Vett and establish relationships with relevant community service providers, and where appropriate, coordinate with various stakeholders to formalize the partnership(s) through an MOU/MOA.
● Progress Monitoring: Create, revise, and maintain the systems to monitor progress for advocacy related events, Legislative sessions, and initiatives, including gathering qualitative and quantitative data, and sharing pre and post updates. Provide updates to manager and other internal stakeholders as requested. Ensure that all aspects of the projects are completed on time, within scope and budget, and that project goals are achieved. Prepare outcomes and progress reports as requested. Provide recommendations to the SD, Advocacy of progress, barriers, and solutions.
● Impact and Influence: Participate and support with the Advocacy Team leadership through the participation in specified leadership roles, sessions, activities, and support opportunities.
● Team Culture: Contribute to Chief of Staff division culture through authentic engagement and participation in meetings and retreats. Give honest, constructive feedback via established feedback mechanisms (e.g., staff surveys) to ensure the continued improvement of the team and the organization. Seek to work by the values of the organization and to act in alignment with the Chief of Staff division community agreements. Represent the Chief of Staff division responsibly to other stakeholders within and outside the organization.

Qualifications

Required Education and/or Experience:
● Bachelor’s degree
● Minimum of 5 years of experience working in advocacy-related environments and/or education
● Leading advocacy efforts and building relationships with elected officials
● Understanding of the legislative process

Skills and Qualifications:
● Demonstrated ability to have impact and influence across multiple functional areas (e.g., student based mental health and wellness, operations, finance, school-based staff, school support partners, etc.).
● Articulate, professional demeanor with strong self-confidence and initiative.
● Experience fostering strong working relationships with critical internal and external stakeholders
● Excellent analytical, problem solving, and critical thinking skills.
● Excellent organizational and planning skills.
● Excellent listening, written, and verbal communication skills.
● Strong internal and external stakeholder management and service-orientation.
● Self-directed and results-oriented, demonstrating proactivity and follow-through.
● Experience with the legislative process, building relationships with elected officials, and
addressing sensitive issues related to education and the needs of students and the school
community.
● Ability to model KIPP’s values at all times.
● Preferred experience with charter or charter-like schools, and/or non-profit organizations.

Physical Requirements:
● The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions.
● Considerable time is spent at a desk using a computer/laptop

● Attending conferences or training sessions

Work Environment:
● Typical office environment with frequent interruptions.
● Work schedule will include remote and in office work.
● This role can be based in Houston, Austin, or San Antonio

Additional Information

Compensation and Benefits

As a full-time KIPP Texas employee you are eligible to participate in all KIPP Texas’ benefit plans. KIPP Texas offers a robust variety of benefits choices with competitive rates, including medical, dental, and vision options, life insurance, and disability plans.

KIPP provides equal employment opportunities for all applicants and employees. As an equal opportunity employer, we hire without consideration of race, religion, creed, color, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, or disability.