ABOUT ALLIANCE COLLEGE-READY PUBLIC SCHOOLS FOUNDATION

The Alliance College-Ready Public Schools Foundation (Alliance Foundation) is dedicated to strengthening the community support and investment that has lifted Alliance College-Ready Public Schools (Alliance) since its inception. The Alliance Foundation raises resources and visibility for the Alliance network of schools, advocates for policies that improve quality public education for historically underserved youth, and builds partnerships to strengthen Alliance schools and the communities that the Alliance serves. We believe in the unlimited potential of our scholars and work to shine a bright light on what is possible for all public schools.

Incorporated in 2019, the Alliance Foundation builds on the strong legacy of active and engaged civic leaders who are committed to educational justice and who believe in the brilliant promise of Alliance scholars and schools. In joining the Alliance Foundation, you will join a collaborative community to make long-lasting change across Los Angeles.

ABOUT ALLIANCE COLLEGE-READY PUBLIC SCHOOLS 

Alliance College-Ready Public Schools (Alliance) was founded on the belief that all young people, regardless of zip code, are capable of achieving at high levels. Alliance is now one of the largest and most successful public charter school networks in the nation, operating 26 high performing middle and high schools serving 12,500 scholars in systematically oppressed communities across Los Angeles.

Now in its 20th year, Alliance has a proven record of success. Despite the average scholar arriving at Alliance schools three grade levels behind in reading, 94% of Alliance graduates have been accepted to college, including 84% to a four-year college or university in 2024. Alliance strives to change the trajectories of our scholars and communities, with an aspiration of 75% of Alliance graduates completing a four-year college degree.

ROLE SUMMARY

The Director of External Affairs is responsible for raising awareness and visibility of Alliance schools and building strong partnerships with elected officials and civic leaders in Los Angeles and California to advance Alliance schools’ priorities and ensure a strong policy environment for Alliance scholars and schools to thrive. The Director of External Affairs reports to the Foundation’s Executive Director and works collaboratively with the Advocacy and Communications teams at Alliance Schools network to advance shared goals and strategies. The Director has two primary functions. The first is to build strong relationships between Alliance and the elected officials, policymakers, and civic leaders. Secondly, the Director of External Affairs oversees and leads strategy for the Foundation on positioning Alliance as a thought leader in public education.

WHAT YOU WILL DO  

Strategic Leadership

  • In partnership with the Foundation’s Executive Director and Alliance network Advocacy Team Lead, build a coherent plan to engage and build constructive relationships with key elected officials, policymakers, and civic leaders to advance Alliance strategic priorities.
  • Lead and co-create a longer-term plan for Alliance proactive policy development that will improve conditions for Alliance schools and scholars to thrive.
  • Oversee the development of systems and infrastructure at the Foundation to monitor and track data to help inform strategy and actions in service to overall goals.

Elected Official and Civic Leader Engagement

  • Develop and manage a portfolio of elected officials, policymakers, and civic leaders who can best help advance Alliance priorities and create a policy environment for Alliance schools to thrive.
  • Conduct relationship mapping to engage elected officials and civic leaders more effectively.
  • Cultivate and engage elected officials and civic leaders in the life of Alliance schools, by scheduling meetings and site visits, and engaging them through Alliance annual programming. 
  • Serve as a representative of the Alliance Foundation/Alliance with key external representatives or as one representative in partnership with other Alliance leaders.

Advocacy and Policy Development

  • In coordination with the Foundation’s Executive Director and Alliance leadership, identify opportunities for the Alliance community to support or co-create mutually beneficial priorities and policy positions with elected leaders and community and policy organizations, or develop the Alliance’s own policy positions.
  • Stay informed and educate colleagues about current policies, practices, and trends related to education policy and politics that impact Alliance schools and scholars.

Thought Leadership and Visibility

  • In coordination with the Executive Director and Alliance Leadership, determine what issues the Alliance will lead in the broader education community.
  • Oversee the Manager of Communication in developing thoughtful communication with donors, elected officials, policymakers, and civic leaders that position Alliance as a thought leader in public education.
  • Oversee the development and dissemination of white papers and research reports to diverse external partners, elected officials, policymakers, and influencers across multiple communications vehicles.
  • Educate the Alliance Board of Trustees and supporters of the policy environment and engage them with elected officials and civic leaders as appropriate.

Thought Leadership and Visibility

  • Work in partnership with the Executive Director and the Alliance network advocacy and communications team to develop coherent strategies between the Alliance Foundation and Schools Network that best leverage the resources of each organization to advance Alliance educational priorities and create the policy environment for Alliance schools to thrive.
  • Manage consultants to advance this work.

THE IDEAL CANDIDATES WILL HAVE

Work Values

  • Commitment to Alliance’s vision, mission, and core values.
  • Willingness to go above and beyond to contribute to the success of the team.
  • Entrepreneurial mindset and experience building new work from the ground up and helping to define and refine functions.

Education and Advocacy Experience

  • Knowledge of urban schools and school systems, preferably working directly in or with schools.
  • Awareness of executive branch and legislative structures and policies impacting charter networks and the education sector in Los Angeles and California.
  • Experience organizing briefing sessions with elected officials, presenting at committee meetings, and speaking in public.
  • Strong relationships across Los Angeles community and advocacy organizations serving the neighborhoods where Alliance schools are located.

Communication, Analytical, and Management Skills

  • Excellent communication skills with the ability to persuasively convey information in writing and orally to a variety of audiences.
  • Strategic thinking, problem-solving skills, and experience managing complex projects with competing priorities and multiple deadlines.
  • Ability to form collaborative partnerships within a multi-layered organization and across external stakeholder groups.

Technology Skills

  • Fluency with office and communication tools, including Google Suite, Salesforce and digital mail platforms.
  • Preferable experience with organizing database platforms such as Murmmuration.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

  • Bachelor’s Degree is required; Master’s Degree is a plus. 
  • Minimum of 6 years of experience in advocacy, public affairs and/or political campaigns with progressive management and leadership experience.
  • Regular travel throughout Los Angeles is required; a valid driver’s license and automobile available for use.

LOCATION

  • This is a hybrid position (mostly remote, with a need to occasionally be on-site).

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

In alignment with our commitment to equity for our scholars, Alliance Foundation is committed to equity and transparency for our team and offers competitive salaries commensurate with experience as well as generous retirement and health benefits. This position is exempt.

  • Compensation: Alliance Foundation provides a competitive salary. Based on relevant prior work experience, our salary range for this role is $100,000 to $140,000. 
  • Health Insurance: Medical, dental, and vision plan options that are covered at 100% of monthly premiums for individual employees and partial coverage for spouses and families.
  • Retirement: Alliance Foundation employees are eligible for a 401k retirement plan, with an annual employer contribution equal to 6% of regular earnings, plus an additional 1% match.
  • Paid Leave: Paid time off benefits that include an annual accrual of 15 days vacation and 10 sick days, in addition to 19 paid holidays, including paid time off between Christmas and New Year’s Day.
  • Professional Development: At Alliance, we believe in supporting staff growth and development. Alliance Foundation staff are allocated $750 per year for professional development expenses.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Please send a cover letter and resume to humanresources@laalliancefoundation.org.

The Alliance Foundation does not discriminate against any scholar, parent, community member, or employee on the basis of actual or perceived ancestry, age, color, disability, gender, gender identity, gender expression, nationality, race or ethnicity, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics.