Director of Programs & Advocacy

Reports to: Executive Director: Strategy & Impact (Dotted Line Reporting to CEO)

Supervises: Program Coordinators; Parent Advocates

Salary: $75,000-$85,000 per year + Benefits + $100 Technology Stipend + $100 Health & Wellness Benefit

alignED New Orleans is a non profit organization that works at the intersection of education advocacy and grassroots organizing to accelerate the impact of public education and improve the quality of learning for the children in our community.

Our mission is to build momentum for equity-centered policies that strengthen and support both families and schools. We collaborate with parents, families and community partners, to amplify their voices, and align resources to advocate for a great education for every child.

Primary Purpose and Function:

Advance the mission of alignED New Orleans through work in the community.

The Director: Programs & Advocacy has the overall responsibility to plan, develop, and oversee the administration, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of all alignED New Orleans programs. The Director will work closely with staff to ensure consistent, excellent quality and positive, strategic impact across the organization.

Reasonable Accommodation:

To accomplish this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform, with or without reasonable accommodation, each essential function satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to help enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Duties and Responsibilities:

In collaboration with program staff, ensure evidence-based program design and implementation is in accordance with the alignED New Orleans mission, values, and core program elements; and acknowledges community assets and addresses community needs in a manner that is consistent with best practice.

Programs:

● Recruits, selects, trains, and evaluates staff members. Provide overall supervision and counsel for programming staff.

● Ensures staff engagement, support, and development including regularly scheduled staff meetings, one-on-one meetings with staff directly reporting to the

DOP, and assuring the implementation of alignED New Orleans programming goals and strategies.

● Develops and executes all signature programs that educate parents and community members on how to advocate for their children,

● In conjunction with the Director of Strategic Partnerships, maintain relationships with partner schools and community organizations.

● Leads the strategic planning, development, and implementation of program initiatives to align with organizational goals and ensure the successful delivery of high-quality services.

Advocacy:

● Builds power among New Orleans families to be informed on local, state and national public education advocacy issues and take action to further organizational goals.

● Develops, grows, and maintains influential relationships with key advocacy partners and stakeholders.

● Provides support to and working with the alignED political and communications staff to achieve shared organizational goals.

● Builds effective issue-based campaigns to increase advocacy and organizing for alignED stakeholders.

● Manages data informing practices to assist in conversations for fundraising and grantmaking processes.

● Oversees and manage program budgets, staff, and resources, ensuring effective operational efficiency, compliance with regulatory standards, and achievement of performance targets.

● Cultivates engagement and participation of parents, educators, and students in the electoral process.

Organizing:

● Organizes and executes field tactics such as phone banks, door-to-door canvasses, and other community events such as house meetings, focus groups, and volunteering.

● Leads the organization’s candidate and campaigner pipeline development program.

● Plans, implements, and evaluate svoter engagement and political programs.

● Provides high-level strategic advice to Executive Team Members on program development including long-term electoral strategy.

● Manages organizational candidate endorsement process, including analysis of district information, candidate alignment, and campaign aptitude in order to make recommendations for resource allocation.

● Writes and implements campaign plans for electoral activities and issue campaigns.

● Supervises development of integrated campaign marketing act based on voter data segments.

● Staffs the organization’s affiliated political action committee, including fundraising and compliance support

● Oversees the integrations of alignED New Orleans programs with overall CFUM operations in the areas of: Volunteer recruitment, management, and support Communication, both internal and external Resource development and management Evaluation and strategic planning.

Experience/Knowledge/Skills Required:

· Degree in education or management from an accredited institution

· Knowledge of child and youth development theory and best practice

· Experience supervising program design, development, and implementation

· Knowledge of New Orleans education landscape

· Experience in implementing outcomes measurement systems

· Experience working in nonprofit organization preferred

· Excellent communication skills—both oral and written

· Outstanding organizational skills and the ability to meet deadlines

· Self-motivated and resourceful

· Ability to manage sensitive and confidential information with integrity

· Capacity to function both independently and as an engaged team member

· Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, G-Suite, and database management.

Physical Requirements:

Risks found in the typical office setting, which is adequately lighted, heated and ventilated, e.g., safe use of office equipment, avoiding trips and falls, observing fire regulations, etc. Typically, the employee may sit comfortably to perform the work. However, there will be walking, standing, bending, carrying of light items such as papers, books, small parts, driving an automobile, etc. No special physical demands are required to perform the work.

alignED New Orleans utilizes a hybrid working environment.