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Director of Organizing & Advocacy

Employer
Mastery Charter Schools
Location
Philadelphia, PA, United States
Salary
Competitive

Job Details

About Mastery:

We believe educational inequity is the most pressing social problem facing our country and the civil rights issue of our day. Mastery exists to help solve this problem. Our ultimate goal is to create a model urban school district that serves all students with excellence. We are organized around one driving mission: All students learn the academic and personal skills they need to be truly prepared for postsecondary success and able to pursue their dreams. To fulfill this mission, we attend to the whole child - academically and emotionally - matching high expectations for students with high levels of support.

Mastery Charter Schools is a nonprofit network of more than 24 schools serving over 14,000 students in Philadelphia and Camden. We are the largest turnaround school operator in the nation and have been lauded by President Obama and the US Department of Education for our ability to dramatically boost academic achievement in historically low-performing schools.

We know neighborhood schools matter, all students deserve access to a great education, and the people in our buildings can grow and develop sustainably to make the biggest impact possible in this work.

Mastery's Equity Vision:

We believe that diversity, equity, and inclusion are essential to achieving our mission.

We strive to be an anti-racist school district that eliminates the inequities in academic achievement that limit our students' choices; that cultivates classrooms where every student is affirmed, supported, and held to high expectations; and that nurtures a diverse organization where students, staff, and families are valued, respected, and included.

The Opportunity:

The Director of Organizing & Advocacy (DoA) is responsible for developing and managing an organizing team to build parent power and take strategic action on issues that matter to Mastery families and schools. The DoA directs the building of Parent Action Teams at every Mastery school and organize a Mastery-wide Parent Action Team. This role is responsible for planning and executing effective strategies and campaigns to take action and win on local and city-wide issues of shared interest by families and schools, especially around keeping our schools strong and building safe and vibrant communities. The Director trains and develops an organizing team and parent leaders, researches and analyzes issues, builds relationships and navigates the relevant education and political landscape at the district, city, and state level. This role works collaboratively with the Senior Director to develop and lead Mastery's strategic political work in Philadelphia, PA and Camden, NJ.

Duties & Responsibilities:

    • Manage and coach the Organizing Team to:
    • Build strong Parent Action Teams at every Mastery school
    • Maintain a disciplined schedule of one on one relational meetings
    • Develop core leadership teams able to drive action on issues and turnout

    • Build Parent Action Teams
    • Do direct organizing at 3+ schools to build robust Parent Action Teams

    • Build a Mastery-wide Parent Action Team
    • Build a deep and broad power base of Mastery families and schools that is a player in the public arenas (district, city and state) where decisions get made that positively impact our students, families, schools, and communities
    • Develop and execute effective strategies and campaigns that produce tangible results
    • Train and develop parent leaders

    • Work with the Senior Director to operate in the education and political arenas at the district, city, and state level
    • Build relationships with key players
    • Research and analyze issues and identify and assess threats and opportunities
    • Monitor and engage relevant institutions, including school boards, mayors, city councils and state legislatures

Qualifications:

    • Strong outcomes managing and developing a large team to achieve ambitious outcomes
    • Exceptional ability to build relationships, influence, and motivate a diverse range of people.
    • Self-motivated "go-getter" who can deliver results in a fast-paced entrepreneurial environment
    • Strategic thinker, able to analyze issues and create and execute action plans.
    • Self-aware with the ability to reflect and adapt to diverse environments.
    • Good political judgement.
    • Cultural competency and experience working with families from diverse ethnic and class backgrounds.
    • Strong oral and written communication - agendas, letters, briefing papers, reports, etc.
    • Commitment to educational equity and excellence for all students.
    • Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Excel, Word, PowerPoint.
    • Working knowledge of public education, charter schools, and political landscape a plus

Education & Experience:

    • Bachelor's degree required, Masters preferred
    • Minimum of five (5) years of professional experience leading a high performing team in organizing, politics, education, business development, social services or relevant field
    • Experience leading grassroots field organizing, including experience in political or issues campaigns
    • Fluency in Spanish preferred

Physical/Environmental:

    • Ability to physically perform the essential duties of the role - either on-site or remotely, as required, and to work in the environmental conditions required, such as: traveling to network campuses; maneuvering in office spaces (including standing, walking, sitting for long periods of time, speaking loudly and clearly, seeing and hearing things both near and far away); stooping, kneeling, reaching file cabinets/shelves; fine finger and hand manipulation in use of computer, chalkboard, dry erase, &/or projectors; filing, faxing, scanning, coping, typing, mailing, and making phone calls; sitting for up to two (2) hours looking at a computer monitor, using a keyboard/mouse, and typing.

Other Requirements:

    • Position requires local travel to Mastery and other sites. Must have access to reliable transportation. Must have availability to work some nights and weekends.

Mastery Charter Schools is an equal opportunity employer and actively encourages applications from people of all backgrounds. Compensation is competitive and commensurate with experience. We offer a full benefits program and opportunities for professional growth.

UPDATE AS OF MAY 2022 - Please review Mastery's Health and Safety Plans here to learn about our approach to vaccination and testing as well as our response to COVID-19 for the 2021-22 school year. For ongoing positions, Mastery roles are designated as in-person, with regular on-site responsibilities, unless otherwise noted. As such, Employees must be able to support Mastery Schools' academic plan and business strategies on-site - at a Mastery campus - as required.

Exceptions to this requirement will be considered on an individualized basis.

Company

We believe educational inequity is the most pressing social problem facing our country and the civil rights issue of our day. Mastery exists to help solve this problem. Our ultimate goal is to create a model urban school district that serves all students with excellence. We are organized around one driving mission: All students learn the academic and personal skills they need to be truly prepared for postsecondary success and able to pursue their dreams. To fulfill this mission, we attend to the whole child – academically and emotionally – matching high expectations for students with high levels of support.

Mastery Charter Schools is a nonprofit network of more than 24 schools serving over 14,000 students in Philadelphia and Camden.   We are the largest turnaround school operator in the nation and have been lauded by President Obama and the US Department of Education for our ability to dramatically boost academic achievement in historically low-performing schools.

We know neighborhood schools matter, all students deserve access to a great education, and the people in our building can grow and develop sustainably to make the biggest impact possible in this work.

Company info
Website
Telephone
2158669000
Location
5700 Wayne Avenue
Philadelphia
PA
19144
US

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