Description
Position at IDEA Public Schools

Role Mission: The Vice President of External Affairs - Florida is to ensure that IDEA successfully starts, and continuously operates in a smooth and effective fashion, in multiple regions throughout Florida. The Vice President of External Affairs, Florida will work to ensure that IDEA is in compliance with Florida requirements in a number of areas; lead IDEA's government affairs work in Tallahassee and in each Florida region; develop a deep bench of champions throughout the state to promote policies and efforts beneficial to high-performing public charter schools; lead fundraising efforts throughout the state; and spearhead growth into new Florida regions.

1. Government Affairs: Build relationships in support of IDEA's policy goals and mission by engaging local, state, and federal elected and governmental officials, including:

• Host school visits with # of the state-level legislators who represent IDEA Public Schools
• Host meetings with X% of state-level legislators who represent IDEA Public Schools
• Lead IDEA's communication with state education agencies related to policy and regulatory matters
• Partner with IDEA's VP of Advocacy to support federal charter school advocacy and initiatives

2. Support Executive Directors to raise $30M to support the launch and growth of IDEA's 2021 (Tampa Bay) and 2022 (Jacksonville) regions.

• In collaboration with VP of growth Growth and Tampa Bay executive director, secure $15M in private funds in Tampa Bay by June 30, 2025 in order to grow the region to 20 schools, raising at least $2-3M each year.
• In collaboration with VP of growth and Jacksonville executive director secure $15M in private funds in Jacksonvill e by June 30, 2026 in order to grow the region to 20 schools , raising at least $2-3M each year. .
• Apply for and secure at $ 60M from the State of Florida's School of Hope funds to support growth costs in Tampa Bay, and the appropriate amount from the State of Florida for IDEA's Jacksonville launch costs
• Participate in and prepare IDEA's Executive Directors and Senior Team (CEO, Chief Advancement Officer) for external meetings
• Business partner with IDEA's internal teams to ensure adequate information for any grant and funder meetings

3. Policy: Develop and shape IDEA's policy position and strategy, in pursuit of IDEA's vision, mission, and growth, and the local, state, and federal level including:

• Managing and executing IDEA's advocacy and policy strategy within Tallahassee, in cooperation with IDEA's VP for Government Affairs, including a minimum of one annual advocacy day during legislative session that engages IDEA Executive Directors, CEO, and board members
• Providing public testimony on behalf of IDEA during legislative hearings as requested in Tallahassee
• Develop and secure School of Hope policies that allow IDEA and other high performing CMOs to access funds and grow smoothly
• Draft comments in response to draft regulations, responding to all draft regulations to which IDEA wishes to provide public comment within the public comment period

4. Champions: Develop at least 12 new champions for IDEA Public Schools

• Develop at least 4 new champions in each region where IDEA will operate in Florida (Tampa Bay and Jacksonville)
• Develop at least 4 new statewide champions for IDEA
• Develop a list of "must-win" individuals in key educational, civic, and governmental roles in each new growth region
• Alongside executive director (if applicable), lead meetings with each of these individuals to determine top challenges for IDEA and develop workable solutions prior to launch
• Ensure a list of at least a dozen non-funder champions in each new region in Florida by the start of Year 0

5. Compliance: Ensure that IDEA is in compliance with Florida rules, regulations, and guidelines surrounding academic offerings, staffing, finance, and reporting, among other areas.

• Partner with VP of finance and VP of financial planning to develop a financial reporting system and financial mechanisms that meet Florida standards
• Serve as key liaison between IDEA Public Schools and Florida entities to understand compliance requirements and ensure IDEA launches with appropriate staffing, systems, and procedures

6. Growth: Steward IDEA's growth into new Florida regions, including Jacksonville, to ensure IDEA opens on time and without preventable challenges .

• Alongside IDEA's VP for Growth, determine regions in Florida that present the deepest need, greatest opportunity, and highest likelihood for success
• Alongside IDEA's VP for Growth, select one region for recommendation for the senior team to open in FL in 2023 based on greatest opportunity and highest likelihood for success.
• Secure meetings, and ultimately support, from 6-12 essential local leaders in order to recommend a region for growth for the 2023-2024 school year.
• Utilize relationships with local leaders to determine neighborhoods of greatest need, most likely challenges to launch, most viable path forward

7. Live values of IDEA

• Believes and is committed to our mission and being an agent of change: that all students are capable of getting to and through college
• Has demonstrated effective outcomes and results, and wants to be held accountable for them
• Has a propensity for action, willing to make mistakes by doing in order to learn and improve quickly
• Works with urgency and purpose to drive student outcomes
• Thrives in an entrepreneurial, high-growth environment; is comfortable with ambiguity and change
• Seeks and responds well to feedback, which is shared often and freely across all levels of the organization
• Works through silos and forges strong cross-departmental relationships in order to achieve outcomes
• We believe in education as a profession and hold ourselves to high level of conduct, professionalism and behaviors as models for our colleagues and

Competencies:

• Ability to build relationships with members of varying political parties
• Strong public speaking
• Strong written communication
• Exceptional time management and prioritization of tasks

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree required
• Master's Degree preferred
• 7-10 years experiences in public affairs
• Experience in education, preferred

Knowledge and Skills:

• Deep understanding of key leaders and elected officials in the education reform movement in Florida
• Knowledge of Florida legislation impacting charter school students, leaders, and families

Compensation:

• Salaries for this role typically fall between $115,500 and $143,866 commensurate with relevant experience and qualifications. This role is also eligible for a performance bonus based on individual and organizational performance and goal attainment.

IDEA Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, sex or disability, in admission or access to, or treatment of employment in its programs and activities. Any person having inquiries concerning the organization's compliance with the regulations implementing Title VI of Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VI), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504), or Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), may contact IDEA Human Resources at (956) 377-8000.