Director, External Affairs

At Rocketship Public Schools, we believe in the infinite possibility of human potential. We believe that every student deserves the right to dream, to discover, and to develop their unique potential. And it is our responsibility and our privilege to unleash the potential inside every Rocketeer we serve. Our non-profit network of public elementary charter schools propels student achievement, develops exceptional educators, and partners with parents who enable high-quality public schools to thrive in their community. We are a collective of parents, teachers, leaders, and students working together to transform the future for underserved communities across our country. At Rocketship Public Schools, we are unleashing potential.

Rocketship Public Schools is a transformational force for education equity that creates  Advocacy and External Affairs is a key pillar of how we seek to transform the communities in which we occupy space. This role will be  a critical member contributing to our collective impact,  communities and the California External Affairs team as a whole. 

Position Description

The Director of External Affairs will report to the California Sr. Director of External Affairs and will form part of the California External Affairs Team. 

They will be responsible for overseeing authorizer relationships and community engagement in certain school districts. They will work in partnership with the Sr. Director of External Affairs to set vision for renewal, stakeholder priorities, engagement strategies, grassroots, grasstops and among other priorities for the region. This role is a key team member to the External Affairs  team, partnering closely with the Community Engagement Manager,  Associate Director of Parent Leadership, and Education Organizers. 

The Director of External Affairs has a deep understanding and commitment to the communities we serve. They are charged with being a key member of the California External Affairs team and are excited about creating the external environment where our schools and families can thrive.  

The Director of External Affairs  will serve as the lead project manager for Renewal campaigns in partnership with Sr. Director of External Affairs, Community Engagement Manager and other Rocketship Teams. The ideal candidate has excellent written and verbal communication skills, project management experience, can plan efficiently to handle multiple projects and overall a champion for the work. 

The Director of External Affairs will engage and cultivate relationships with donors, champions, allies, and advocates, forge new partnerships and alliances that align with our vision and serve our Rocketeers and their families. It may also include managing authorizer compliance and supporting Rocketship initiatives in partnership with other Rocketship teams. Additionally, this person will partner effectively with school leaders, families, community organizations and stakeholders in advocacy for educational equity. 

This position asks that you be physically located in the Bay Area, preferably East Bay or Peninsula.  Your primary work will vary from San Jose, the East Bay (Antioch & Concord), and the Peninsula (Redwood City). 

• Aligns with our Vision,  Mission, and Values/Core Characteristics 
• Has a deep understanding and commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion 
• Understands that eliminating the achievement gap is hard, but deeply rewarding work
• Is a collaborative leader who organizes effort and work to engage and inspire others
• Has an  entrepreneurial spirit and growth mindset
• Leads with a spirit of inquiry, is a good listener, and eager to learn and receive feedback
• Is innovative and resilient, demonstrating both humility and authenticity
• Possesses exceptional strategic management, analytical, and problem-solving skills-knowing strategic reality and delivers on commitments through excellent execution
• Is deeply grounded and vastly connected in the community we serve 
• Has strong presence, excellent communication and influencing skills, with a track record of “moving people”  and getting things done in first-time situations
• Possesses leadership experience in non-profits, preferably education, and is eager to use that knowledge to strengthen our regional strategy and execution 
• Has successfully navigated political landscapes and worked with elected officials/boards
• Has strong emotional intelligence and  excellent relationship management skills working with a diverse set of stakeholders 
• Is a good team player who listens first, understands perspectives, and finds shared values
• Has experienced success building coalitions and managing community and organizational stakeholders
• Easily navigates across the spectrum of RPS stakeholders and communicates effectively with all kinds of people, including board members, donors, community members, and families 
• Deeply values our students, parents, teachers, and school leaders as stakeholders and partners in ensuring effective educational advocacy 

• Partner with Sr. Director of External Affairs to drive regional success by:
• Oversee authorizer relationships and community engagement in certain school districts. 
• Partner with Sr. Director of External Affairs to set vision for renewal, stakeholder priorities, engagement strategies, grassroots, grasstops and among other priorities for the region.
• Partner, coach and lead other External Affairs Staff as needed and guided by Sr. Director. 
• Oversee authorizer relationships, site visits and compliance
• Ensure their region meets key milestones in order to reach and maintain sustainable success.  
• Foster a rigorous culture of excellence in every interaction with stakeholders, community members, partners, and team members
• Work effectively with other regional teams school leaders, staff and families to align on strategy, goals, plans, and processes, to achieve all regional goals 
• Create broad alliances throughout the community and relentlessly work to move individuals to allies, allies to friends, and friends to champions in our collective effort to elevate educational equity in their collective community and ensure that a broad coalition is grown across their respective city or region
• Drive strategic vision, planning, and execution related for growth and external and community relations  through existing and new charters, charter renewals, and other external opportunities, while properly identifying and communicating threats or potential barriers to regional success while coordinating remedies/solutions.  
• Work with team to establish strategy, planning, and execution related to parent leadership, organizing and engagement
• Leveraging executive judgment to identify, assess, and communicate risks/threats and opportunities to Rocketship SLT and local board, prioritize quickly and effectively, make critical decisions, and coordinate remedies/solutions
• Manage and leverage important community relationships with local community based organizations, influencers, elected officials, power-brokers, as well as with school board trustees, members, and superintendents/leaders of authorizing bodies
• Forge partnerships with child and family serving non-profit organizations, public entities, and civic and community organizations to provide services that our  Rocketeers and families need
• Plan, coordinate and facilitate collaboration with other aligned organizations within the region to advocate for common goals or defend common interests 
• Secure and maintain school facilities, including site selection, real estate acquisition, the entitlement process, all local regulations, and on-going facilities issues at new and existing schools in partnership with the regional and national team (NeST)
• Engage and partner with school leaders on school-related responsibilities, such as safety, reauthorization and other charter/compliance-related meetings, neighborhood issues, and other issues as they arise
• Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with neighborhood stakeholders and community/ neighborhood associations

• Rocketship leaders are deeply committed to doing and being their best, and to growing their skills as professionals and as individuals, so our daily and annual expectations reflect that commitment.
• Pursuit of Excellence: We continuously improve our results in response to data and feedback.
• Authenticity: We bring our whole selves to our work, allowing that passion to resonate through our decisions, words, and actions.
• Community: We value our professional community and its collective impact beyond our own individual roles and contributions.
• Tenacity: We view each challenge as a hurdle to clear in order to reach our ultimate goal.
• Innovation: We find or create better ways to make the impossible, possible; we take responsible risks in order to make a more positive impact.

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university
• 7 years of professional experience with a track record of success in delivering significant gains (experience as a school leader, teacher, or other work  within a school network preferred)
• Experience influencing others, coalition-building, and moving individuals from participants to champions
• 5 years of advocacy experience
• Experience managing, coaching, and developing team members 
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to inspire and motivate staff and bring out the best in peers 
• Personal drive for high expectations 
• Results-oriented, using data to make decisions
• Adaptable and able to thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced environment
• Spanish and/or Vietnamese language skills are a plus (Spanish is required in the Bay Area)
• Experience building and maintaining outstanding community
• Excellent time management and organizational skills
• Project Planning Skills
• Scope and Sequencing skills
• Commitment to Advocacy
• Strong verbal and written communication skills

COVID-19:

Rocketship is committed to the health and safety of our Rocketeers and complies with federal and state vaccine guidelines. For this reason, Rocketship is requiring employees in most regions, including National, California, District of Columbia, and Wisconsin employees, to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.  Tennessee and Texas regions are not included in this requirement. Under this requirement, applicable employees are subject to vaccination as a condition of employment or subject to religious or medical exemptions.

Physical Demands:

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. While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to talk, hear, and communicate with both adults and children. The employee frequently is required to use hands or fingers, handle or feel objects, tools, or controls. The employee is frequently required to stand; walk; sit; and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds and occasionally climb ladders. Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus. The noise level in the work environment is moderate to high.

Compensation:

Commensurate with qualifications and experience, plus excellent health and wellness benefits, 403b retirement plan, flexible spending account (FSA), and generous paid time off.

Rocketship Public Schools provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. Rocketship Public Schools complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Rocketship Public Schools expressly prohibits any form of unlawful employee harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status. Improper interference with the ability of Rocketship Public Schools’ employees to perform their expected job duties is absolutely not tolerated. Click here for our Sexual Harassment Policy.  For questions, concerns, or complaints, please contact Human Resources.

Salary : $120,000 - $145,000