Manager of Board Relations

Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is the third largest school district in the United States, serving over 350,000 students in 600+ schools and employing nearly 36,000 people, most of them teachers. CPS has set ambitious goals to ensure that every student, in every school and every neighborhood, has access to a world-class learning experience that prepares each for success in college, career and civic life. In order to fulfill this mission we make three commitments to our students, their families and all Chicagoans: academic progress, financial stability and integrity. Six core principles are embedded within these commitments - student centered, whole child, equity, academic excellence, community partnership, and continuous learning

The Manager of Board Relations serves as a key point of contact for the CEO's Office and the Board Office. Reporting to the Deputy Chief of Staff, the manager will ensure Board Members are briefed on important decisions and topics and will be one of the key contacts between Board Members and the CEO's Office. They will work to successfully execute activities for the monthly Board of Education meetings. This individual is responsible for managing all information submitted to the Board of Education for the monthly Board report process and must work closely (and with discretion) with multiple stakeholders (e.g. peers, senior leadership, Board Office) on time sensitive deadlines. This position initiates the monthly board reporting process and will facilitate the submission and approval process for all reports developed for the monthly Board meeting agenda.

The Manager of Board Relations will be held accountable for the following responsibilities:

• Compiles and arranges documentation for the monthly board reporting process, including summary materials, paper and electronic board reports, and executive (confidential) session items (including personnel recommendations).
  
  
• Facilitates activities for the monthly CEO briefing on public agenda items including: creating monthly CEO briefing agenda grid, scheduling date, time and location of briefing, documenting and communicating CEO briefing results, resolving outstanding issues prior to the Board Office deadline, and facilitating briefings.
  
  
• Assists the CEOs Office in communicating the final monthly public agenda and executive session recommendations to the Board Secretary.
  
  
• Advises departments on the development and routing of manual and electronic board reports. Resolves routing issues and implements learning into future practice.
  
  
• Helps develop monthly recommendations and facilitate activities for the Honoring Excellence segment of monthly Board Meeting.
  
  
• Assists the CEO's Office in executing monthly Board member briefings including: creating annual briefing schedule, developing monthly agenda, compiling, disseminating and filing monthly agenda presentations and coordinating CPS leadership attendees.
  
  
• Prepares updates on a consistent basis for Board Members.
  
  
• Assists the CEO's Office and Board Secretary in preparing and executing the monthly Board meeting.
  
  
• Attends briefings with Board Members and drives follow-ups as needed.
  
  
• Partners with the department of Procurement, Board Office and Law department to conduct the annual review and implementation of the Board Approval Planning process.
  
  
• Performs other duties as assigned.
  
  

Type of Education Required:

• Bachelors degree from an accredited college or university required; Masters degree in Public Administration, Education, Business Administration, or a related field is preferred.

Type of Experience & Qualifications Required:

• Minimum of four (4) years of project management experience
• Minimum of four (4) years work experience with leadership in public policy, project management, data analysis, and/or performance measurement and management
• Strong verbal and written communications skills to create communication materials and maintain effective working relationships with departments, employees and managers of the organization. Verbal communication skills are particularly important in briefing Board Members as a representative of the organization.
• Impeccable judgement, integrity, professionalism and the ability to process confidential information
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks concurrently
• Ability to quickly adapt to and learn new systems
• Intermediate experience with the Microsoft Suite (e.g. Excel & Powerpoint)

Residency Requirement:

• As a condition of employment with the Chicago Public Schools (CPS), employees are required to live within the geographic boundaries of the City of Chicago within six months of their CPS hire date and maintain residency throughout their employment with the district.