Director of Advocacy & Community Engagement

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OPPORTUNITY
The Director of Advocacy & Community Engagement has a critical role in supporting Green Dot’s mission to prepare students for college, leadership, and life. The Director of Advocacy & Community Engagement will lead efforts to advance the mission of Green Dot Public Schools through strategic advocacy, community engagement, and policy reform initiatives. This role is crucial in developing relationships with community leaders, elected officials, parents and other stakeholders to ensure access to high-quality education for all students. This role requires a passion for social impact, a deep understanding of advocacy processes, and the ability to mobilize parents through grassroots organizing.

With a team of two, the Director of Advocacy & Community Engagement will work closely with organizational leadership and coordinate with other departments, such as Public Affairs & Compliance, Communications & Marketing and Operations. The Director of Advocacy & Community Engagement will play a pivotal role in the schools’ charter renewals and will track progress towards key performance indicators relevant to advocacy and community engagement. This position is part of the External Affairs Team and reports to the Chief of Staff. This is a role serving as part of Green Dot California’s central office team, primarily based in Los Angeles.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Advocacy and Policy Leadership:
> Lead advocacy campaigns aimed at advancing charter school policies and broader education reform initiatives at the local, state, and national levels.
> Work with lawmakers, school boards, and other education stakeholders to shape policies that support the expansion and sustainability of charter schools.
> Monitor legislative developments and public policy trends affecting charter schools and the broader education landscape, adjusting advocacy efforts accordingly.
> Represent the organization at policy forums, legislative meetings, and other events to advocate for charter schools and equitable education opportunities for all students.

Community Engagement and Outreach:
> Cultivate relationships with key community groups, parents, students, and local organizations to build a strong network of advocates for charter public schools.
> Design and implement community engagement programs to ensure that charter school families are informed, empowered, and actively involved in the education reform process.
> Conduct outreach to diverse communities to ensure that marginalized voices are heard and represented in the advocacy process, particularly those from under-resourced communities.
> Organize town halls, parent meetings, and public forums to provide information about charter schools and engage community members in education reform efforts.This includes an organization-wide annual parent and community assembly.
> Monitor outcomes on parent and community engagement with the goal of 30% or more of parents/guardians attending 2+ school events a year

Coalition Building and Stakeholder Management:
> Build and lead coalitions with other charter school organizations, education reform groups, and community stakeholders to promote policies that support innovation and choice in public education.
> Foster relationships with school leaders, teachers, and parent organizations to create a unified voice advocating for charter schools and education reform.
> Coordinate joint advocacy initiatives and campaigns with other education-focused nonprofits, ensuring alignment with broader educational goals and values.
> In collaboration with the Operations Team, train relevant school-site staff on community engagement and advocacy functions

Strategic Communication and Public Relations:
> Work closely with the communications team to develop advocacy messages and materials that promote the value of charter schools and educational choice.
> Serve as the public face of the organization for media engagements, interviews, and speaking events on charter school and education reform issues.
> Utilize digital platforms, including social media and websites, to raise awareness of charter school initiatives and engage supporters in advocacy efforts.

Campaign Management and Program Development:
> Develop and implement targeted campaigns to raise awareness of the benefits of charter schools, address local issues, mobilize community support, and advocate for necessary policy changes.
> Create educational materials and resources for schools, parents, and community members to better understand charter schools, their role in education reform, and how they can get involved.
> Evaluate the effectiveness of advocacy campaigns and community programs, using data and feedback to continuously improve outreach and engagement strategies.

Fundraising and Resource Development:
> Collaborate with the development team to identify and pursue funding opportunities for advocacy and community engagement initiatives.
> Engage with donors and philanthropic organizations to secure resources for policy advocacy, community outreach, and public education campaigns supporting charter schools.

Leadership and Staff Management:
> Lead and manage a team of advocacy professionals, providing coaching, support, and professional development to enhance team performance and impact.
> Foster a collaborative work environment, ensuring that the team is aligned with organizational goals and effectively working towards the mission of advancing charter schools and education reform.

Perform other duties as identified in order to meet team goals

QUALIFICATIONS
As an ideal candidate, you:

> have a bachelor’s degree in education, Political Science, Public Policy, or related field (master's degree preferred).
> have a minimum of 7 years of experience in advocacy, community engagement, or education policy, with at least 3 years in a leadership role focused on education reform.
> have a strong understanding of the charter school landscape, education policy, and key issues affecting public education.
> have a proven track record of successfully developing and implementing advocacy campaigns, particularly in education reform or charter schools.
> are experienced in building and maintaining partnerships with education leaders, community organizations, and policymakers.
> have excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to effectively convey complex issues to diverse audiences.
> have experience with public speaking, including preparing spokespeople and engaging in public relations efforts to elevate the organization’s profile.
> are a strong project manager with supreme organizational skills and able to lead multiple initiatives simultaneously in a fast-paced environment
> leverage data to track progress on key performance indicators.
> are a seasoned manager with experience coaching and developing individuals.
> are able to work independently and as part of a team, under deadlines, without close supervision; you are self-directed in the initiation, coordination and completion of tasks, and acute attention to detail
> are able to handle problems as they occur, and follow through on all aspects of the position
> are flexible and can adapt to constantly changing environments
> possess excellent interpersonal skills and a demonstrated ability to build strong relationships with various types of people, including senior leaders inside and outside the organization
> have demonstrated proficiency in writing and strong communications skills
You are highly proficient in Microsoft Office with exceptional skills in PowerPoint and Excel and Google Suite
> possess a strong sense of integrity, ethics, and drive to achieve and grow
> have a relentless commitment to and high standards for high quality execution and follow-through
> will need to pass a TB test and background check at time of offer.

The information contained herein is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of the duties and responsibilities of the job, nor is it intended to be an all-inclusive list of the skills and abilities required to perform the job.

COMPENSATION
The starting salary range for this role is $125,000 - $135,000. To allow for salary progression over time, offers at the top of the range are rare. Individual education and experience will be considered when issuing offers.

Green Dot also offers one of the most robust and comprehensive benefits packages in the industry (for both you and your dependents):

> PPO, EPO and HMO choices for medical, dental and vision coverage - including a 100% employee-only paid option (visit https://mygreendotbenefits.benefitseasy.net/ to learn more). 
> Employee Assistance Program (100% employer-paid)
> Life and AD&D Insurance (100% employer-paid)
> Optional Term Life & AD&D Insurance
> Short- and Long-Term Disability Insurance (100% employer-paid)
> Flexible Spending Accounts (health and dependent care)
> Monthly parking for Central Office-based employees (100% employer-paid)
> Wellness programs and resources
> Financial planning/coaching access
> Optional non-matching 401(k) plan
> Potential for remote work opportunities (occasional or recurring)
> Potential for annual performance-based compensation increases
> Approved family care and/or medical leave (unpaid)

Green Dot also offers generous paid time off for an overall work-life balance, while giving employees the opportunity to impact a growing, mission-driven organization that is committed to the success of all students:

> 15 days of paid time off during years 1-3 of service (20 days during years 4-6 and 25 days beyond 6 years of service)
> An additional 15 days (minimum) of paid time off each year for our Winter and Spring breaks* (which include the Christmas and New Year’s holidays), as well as an additional 10 annual paid holidays (MLK Day, President’s Day, Cesar Chavez Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, July 4th, Labor Day and Veteran’s Day, Thanksgiving Day and Day after Thanksgiving)
> 3-5 days of paid bereavement leave (if needed)

*May be adjusted annually

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

Only those applicants chosen for an interview will be contacted and we are looking to fill this position ASAP.

Green Dot Public Schools has embedded a diversity, equity and inclusion lens in our organizational culture, as well as in our educational and talent practices. We are committed to hiring those who reflect the diversity of our communities, and we recruit, employ, support, compensate and promote employees, without regard to their actual or perceived race, religious creed (including religious dress or grooming practices), color, national origin or ancestry (including native language spoken), physical or mental disability (including HIV or AIDS), medical condition (including cancer or genetic characteristics), genetic information, marital status (including registered domestic partnership status), sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, lactation and related medical conditions), gender (including gender identity and expression), parental status, age (forty (40) and over), sexual orientation, Civil Air Patrol status, military and veteran status, citizenship, immigration status or any other consideration protected by federal, state or local law. Applicants must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.

Green Dot California Central Office, Los Angeles, CA