Deputy Director of Education Justice Campaigns

Position Location: Washington, DC or New York City, strongly preferred.

About CPD + CPD Action

The Center for Popular Democracy (CPD, c3) and CPD Action (c4) build organizing power to transform the local, state and national policy landscape through deep, long-term partnerships with leading community organizing groups and progressive labor unions nationwide.

About the Position

We seek an experienced and energetic professional who will be responsible for supporting CPD's Education Justice Campaigns team and the Director of Education Justice Campaigns in driving policy campaigns, providing technical assistance and support to CPD partners and coalitions, moving community school campaigns, organizing and campaign support to CPD partners on education justice campaigns, and representing CPD at national convening, meetings, and tables on education justice issues - particularly on community schools and other solution-oriented public education reform.  The Deputy Director will also serve as a liaison between national education allies, stakeholders, policy centers, and other education leaders and CPD partners - working to ensure that CPD partners are aware of major changes in the education landscape nationally.

A strong candidate will have significant (at least 5 years’) experience in the progressive education movement, be firmly grounded in the framing of privatization vs public school solutions, have knowledge about and participation in both community schools and charter schools fights nationally and/or locally, be a relationship and coalition builder and maintainer, and have a good grasp of the current education policy landscape.

Primary Responsibilities

The Deputy Director will report to and work with the Director of Education Justice Campaigns in ensuring the overall success and growth of the Education Justice Campaigns program.  

Major responsibilities include:

  • Develop and drive the community schools campaign, which includes providing technical assistance for partners and coalitions moving community schools, working with the policy team to coordinate legal or other policy research on community schools, and support partners in implementation of rigorous community school campaigns. 

  • Work with CPD partners to build and maximize local community school campaigns aimed at: the expansion of community schools (meeting targets for establishing new community schools); the adequate functioning and improvement of existing community schools within the network; and building a powerful national narrative and scope around community schools.  

  • Working to limit the expansion of Charter Schools while also creating increased accountability and regulation of existing Charter Schools across the country. Working with the Education Justice Campaigns team, CPD’s research department, and other relevant CPD partner organizations to develop national research reports and provide technical and other assistance to local partners in achieving the same objective. 

  • Working to reduce and eliminate police presence in schools and tackling the school-to-prison pipeline by providing technical assistance and other support to partner organizations, coalitions and groups working towards the same objective. 

  • Stay up to date on new and shifting policy and political changes in the education organizing field and to communicate that information when relevant to CPD partners and the broader public.  

  • Develop and strengthen CPD’s Education Justice Campaigns program, under the direction of and in collaboration with the Director of Education Justice Campaigns, including identifying strategic opportunities for growth and success, as well as managing challenges.

  • Raise and leverage relationships to support state partners’ political programs;

  • Help manage and provide strong leadership for the Education Justice team, including effective supervision and development of other relevant staff;

  • Coordinate with other departments within the organizations to ensure that the education program aligns with CPD’s broader strategy, particularly close coordination with issue campaign leads and organizing team.

  • Represent CPD in key tables, coalitions, and meetings with allies and national partners;

  • Help partner with the Communications Team to project externally CPD’s political agenda and message;

Job Requirements

  • A demonstrated commitment to social and racial justice issues and understanding of challenges facing immigrant communities, communities of color, and low-and moderate income families;

  • At least 5 years’ experience in progressive education campaign and policy work;

  • Has a strong network and relationships with leaders within community schools / anti-privatization movements / and or with tackling the school-to-prison pipeline;

  • Experience working across departments or teams within an organization;

  • Experience managing large programs and projects;

  • Independent and strong leader that is able to drive projects and programs to completion in fast-paced environment;

  • Ability to work within a coalition of diverse organizations and partners;

  • Experience working in diverse communities and with grassroots organizations;

  • Excellent writing and communication skills;

  • Results-focused and organized;

  • Self-motivated – proven ability to work independently; and

  • Willing to have significant travel schedule.

  • Position will be based in Washington, DC or in New York City. Exceptions may be considered for exceptional candidates.

  • Generous salary and benefits package, depending on experience.

HOW TO APPLY:

Please send a thoughtful cover letter and resume through our hiring portal: https://cpd.hiringthing.com/job/47401/-deputy-director-of-education-justice-campaigns.

CPD is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and actively recruits people of color, women, individuals with disabilities, and members of the LGBTQ community.