Lead
JOB TYPE
Full Time
SALARY
A competitive compensation package will be made available that is commensurate with the successful candidate’s experience, within IEL’s policy, and availability of funding.
Overview: As part of IEL’s Community Schools and Place-Based Strategies team, the Deputy Director of the Coalition Midwest Regional TAC (Technical Assistance, Advocacy, and Connection) Center is an employee of the Institute for Educational Leadership (IEL) and is responsible for facilitating the integration of IEL programs into the growth and quality of Community Schools in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin, and Canada. The Deputy Director will be supported by a team of IEL staff members to assist with communications, relationship management, virtual and in-person convenings, policy guidance, leadership development, and data analysis and evaluation to advance the aligned strategic plans of the Coalition and IEL within their designated region.
Background: Formed in 1997, the Coalition for Community Schools is a nation-wide alliance of local, state, and national partners who envision public schools as centers for creating flourishing communities where everyone belongs, works together, and thrives. IEL is the intermediary lead partner therefore, staffing the Coalition to prepare, support and mobilize the Community School movement to promote harmony, practice democracy, and progress equity.
Since 1964, the Institute for Educational Leadership (IEL) has been partnering with and preparing leaders to advocate for justice by building relationships with communities across the United States. Through the years, IEL has helped shape policy, strengthen equitable practices, and amplify advocacy and leadership, in efforts to liberate communities from structural racism, discrimination, and inequity. This journey has prepared IEL to meet today’s opportunities and challenges with an innovative approach, rooted in community wisdom. At this defining moment for our country, IEL is poised to boldly advocate for, and with, the most historically marginalized communities and nurture leadership and growth at all levels in the pursuit of equity and justice.
The Work: In support of IEL’s overall place-based strategy, the Deputy Director will be responsible for brokering technical assistance, organizing advocacy, and deepening connections between states and communities within their designated region. This will be accomplished by preparing, supporting and mobilizing state and local leaders for implementing inclusive and equitable policies and practices that measurably improve the quality, quantity and sustainability of Community Schools. Additionally, the Deputy Director will assist in sustaining and scaling these efforts by providing value to leaders and communities in tailored fee-for-service activities, and building local, state and regional philanthropic partnerships. Finally, the Deputy Director will serve as a thought leader representing the Coalition and IEL with, regional, state, and local education organizations and leaders, community-based organizations, and private organizations, business, and funder communities.
As Deputy Director of a Coalition Regional TAC Center, you will provide leadership in the following areas with the designated region:
Coalition Community -Wide Ecosystems (approximately 50%)
● Cultivate relationships to expand and maintain an accurate count of the number of Coalition communities and the number of Community Schools.
● Develop strategic partnerships with 2-5 communities annually and provide deep consultation for the development of community-wide cross-sector systems that address education, employment, and health inequities across race, class, and disability.
● Broker technical assistance supports professional development and partnerships with designated quality providers to meet the needs expressed by local agencies, organizations, and groups.
● Evaluate and report on progress and effectiveness of community ecosystem development.
● Support local communities through presentations, speaking engagements, and technical assistance via travel, video, and telephone.
Building State Coalitions (approximately 30%)
● Cultivate strategic partnerships across regions/states among local communities, national intermediary state affiliates, state government officials, and other potential partners to strengthen and align relationships in designated states.
● Provide visionary, inspirational and democratized leadership to create a learning organization.
● Build and maintain relationships with state government officials, their representatives, and staff.
● Organize and coordinate special policy events such as Hill days and briefings in partnership with State Coalition leads.
● Provide coaching and/or technical assistance for network affiliates for policy and advocacy.
● Link regional leaders with IEL, and other partner networks to participate in collaborative peer support, sharing of best practices, research, evaluation and data collection and analysis.
Aligning Regional Relationships (approximately 10%)
● Organize regional learning labs for Coalition network leaders to enhance their development as leaders, support collaborative learning, and create regional specific goals and plans.
● Cultivate new strategic partnerships and strengthen existing relationships in the field to support mission and impact.
● Support raising funds to sustain and grow existing and new strategies, including alternate program models such as fee-for-service.
● Represent Coalition and IEL in key regional/state forums and in significant conversations on education and employment related policy.
Integrating IEL Supports (approximately 10%)
● Provide support to IEL projects within the assigned region to achieve all project deliverables within required timeframe and prepare all work plans and grant deliverables as per requirement.
● Participate in team and project meetings to integrate assigned activities with IEL areas.
● Lift up racial equity, disability inclusion and economic justice to realize IEL’s vision of full human belonging, that collaboration is essential and that we have the tools to work together.
Qualifications:
● 10 years of demonstrated experience in cross-sector strategic planning, development, and relationship management.
● High level of cultural competency and commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.
● Demonstrated experience in efforts that build capacity in changing systems to advance policies and practices that increased equity.
● Demonstrated ability of implementing and sustaining strategic plans.
● Demonstrated experience monitoring and measuring impact of an overall strategy that leads to equitable outcomes for children, youth and families.
● Demonstrated experience in fund development and braiding and blending funding across multiple sectors and geographical region toward a shared purpose.
● Experience in public speaking, community engagement, partnership building and a proven ability to engage and influence a wide range of individuals and diverse audiences.
● Proven ability to be self-motivated while working remotely by completing all assignments on time while building positive work relationships with other organizational team members.
Education: As research demonstrates that education requirements can be a deterrent for qualified candidates to apply and can perpetuate gender and racial disparities, we have made the decision to not require candidates to demonstrate a specific degree or level of academic certification. Instead, we encourage all candidates with the professional experiences, values, and skills outlined in this position specification to apply.
Compensation & Benefits: IEL offers a competitive salary commensurate with experience and an attractive benefits package.
Duty Station: IEL is a Washington-based organization. This position can be based at IEL’s D.C. office or can be a remotely stationed position with occasional travel to the D.C. office and local communities and states as needed.
To Apply: Please email resume and cover letter to jobs@iel.org with “Midwest Regional Deputy Director” as the subject line.
Diversity Statement:
IEL is committed to a policy of equal employment opportunity for all persons without regard to race, color, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, religion, political affiliation, disability, military status, marital or parental status, personal appearance, family responsibilities, matriculation, source of income, place of business or residence, pregnancy, childbirth, or related conditions, or otherwise as may be prohibited by District and Federal laws.