Position Overview

The Program Director, National Opportunity to Learn Network, will work closely with grantees and external stakeholders to cultivate and support effective campaigns focused on building systems to provide all students an opportunity to learn through philanthropic support and other strategic capacity building supports. The Program Director will be a critical leader, visionary, and partner to the Vice President of Programs & Advocacy in the achievement of Schott’s vision of a best-in-class social justice philanthropy that is integrated and intersectional in its approaches and fully aligned in its culture, operations, and systems. S/he/they will work to position Schott internally and externally as a leading force for change in alignment with grantees and other philanthropic partners to effectively respond to national and international challenges with urgency and impact.

Reports to:

Vice President of Programs & Advocacy

Responsibilities

Program Administration and Management (20%)

• Manage day-to-day partnerships related to the Foundation’s stakeholders, which may include grassroots organizations, other foundations, policymakers, labor unions, corporate partners, educational institutions, and others to resource strategic and systemic campaigns in targeted localities and states across the country.
• Manage network building, policy, and communications resourcing deliverables for the National Opportunity to Learn Network.

Grantmaking and Grantee Support (30%)

• Support the growth and maintenance of major philanthropic and advocacy partnerships by building grantee capacity for effective movement building. Provide strategic guidance to the Schott Foundation, including power-mapping, strategies for decision-maker targeting, effective coalition building, community organizing, voter engagement tactics, messaging and persuasion tactics, and public engagement in support of equity in public education.
• Manage the development and dissemination of capacity building supports and tools for local/state advocacy partners and grantees to advance their advocacy efforts with relevant decision makers and the philanthropic community.
• Oversee the administration of grants awarded by the Schott Foundation to nonprofit partners, leveraging Schott resources to have a measurable impact, particularly related to increasing state and national networks of organizations and individuals.

Development (40%)

• Work with the leadership and development team to strategically identify and cultivate new donors.
• Engage and cultivate current and prospective donors as needed.
• Serve as an effective public spokesperson for Schott and raise the visibility of the organization’s work by presenting and writing in diverse forums.
• Build and maintain strong, collaborative relationships with funder colleagues, grantees, and other key partners to seek opportunity to leverage Schott’s investments.

Grants Management and Evaluation (5%)

• Support and implement decisions about the appropriate type and depth of evaluation and learning at the foundation, including assessing the capacity needs of the foundation to achieve these aims in alignment with Schott’s culture and values.
• Support Board and staff learning agendas and facilitate engagement that advances organizational learning.

Communications and External Relations (5%)

• Represent the Foundation to external constituencies and participate in high-level programs and discussions with partner organizations. Support the development of strategic partnerships and collaborations that leverage and extend Schott’s impact.
• Work closely with the Director of Communications to elevate the work of grantees and disseminate stories and lessons learned on the impact of program and grantmaking initiatives.
• Build on the Foundation’s identity as a thought leader in areas of programmatic focus as well as an innovator in social justice philanthropy.
• Participate in coalitions and develop relationships with allies and other organizations to further advocacy goals and serve as an effective advocate and responsible spokesperson for the Foundation.

Qualifications

• Significant work experience (5+ years) and credibility as a leader and expert on in the areas of education policy or philanthropy sectors.
• Experience working in coalition(s), including developing shared plans, coordinating external and internal communications, and understanding internal political dynamics among partner groups.
• Experience with both grassroots organizing and grasstops engagement and deployment to mobilize activist networks at the state and/or national levels.
• Demonstrated success in the area of campaign management, organizing and/or partnership development. Other social justice-related lobbying, targeted constituent outreach, voter persuasion and turnout, and messaging research experience is a plus.
• Fundraising experience and demonstrated knowledge of the philanthropic sector. A deep network in philanthropy and a firm understanding of key public policy, research, and movement building efforts in the sector; accurate and current knowledge of trends, movements, and developing policy to inform emerging changemaking opportunities
• Excellent analytic, writing, and strategic planning skills, and a demonstrated ability to manage multiple, often-conflicting deadlines; establish and negotiate timelines; and ensure timely delivery of high-quality work.
• Creativity, flexibility, sound judgment, and ability to take initiative and work independently.
• Effective interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to interact professionally with diverse staff, clients, and consultants across varied geographies. A team player who can add value to the Schott team beyond his/her area of expertise.
• Deep demonstrated passion for and commitment to the Foundation’s mission and a track record of driving impact on cross-cutting social justice issues and movement building. A natural disruptor and innovator with the ability to inspire, motivate, generate new ideas and actualize change programmatically and operationally.
• Outstanding organizational, programmatic, and financial management experience, including the ability to move work from concept to implementation and completion.
• Models a commitment to creating and reinforcing a transparent, accountable, and mutually respectful work environment.
• Willingness to travel frequently.
• A strong sense of passion, purpose, and sense of humor.
• Bachelor’s degree in a related field required; Master’s degree, law degree, or higher preferred.

How to apply

Please email your cover letter and resume with “Program Director, National Opportunity to Learn Network” in the subject line to [email protected].

The Schott Foundation for Public Education is an equal opportunity employer committed to a diverse and multicultural workplace.