Assistant Director of Government Affairs Position Available In Davidson, Tennessee

Assistant Director of Government Affairs The Education Trust – 4.3 Nashville, TN Job Details Full-time $108,360 – $135,450 a year 4 hours ago Benefits 403(b) matching Health insurance Dental insurance Employee assistance program Vision insurance 403(b) Qualifications Law Project management Bachelor’s degree Senior level Communication skills Time management Full Job Description

ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION AND THE OPPORTUNITY

The Education Trust – Tennessee seeks an Assistant Director of Government Affairs. The Assistant Director will join a staff who are committed to fulfilling our mission of closing opportunity gaps that disproportionately affect students of color and students from low-income backgrounds. The Assistant Director leads EdTrust-Tennessee’s legislative strategy work at the Tennessee State Capitol to advance our equity-driven policy agenda. This person serves as the organization’s primary point of contact for legislative engagement, overseeing and engaging in direct advocacy with lawmakers, tracking and analyzing legislation, and crafting timely responses to policy developments. This role is both strategic and hands-on, translating research into action by developing accessible policy materials, coordinating with coalitions, and elevating EdTrust-Tennessee’s voice in the public arena. The Assistant Director will be responsible for shaping the narrative around education equity issues in legislative spaces and ensuring EdTrust-Tennessee remains a trusted and influential thought partner to policymakers and advocates across the state. Ed Trust is committed to advancing policies and practices to dismantle the racial and economic barriers embedded in the U.S. education system. Through our research and advocacy, Ed Trust improves equity in education from preschool through college, engages diverse communities dedicated to equity and justice, and increases political and public will to build an education system where all students will thrive. Available immediately, this role is based in our Nashville office and is eligible for telework for up to 3 days per week per our current policy. The Assistant Director reports to the Executive Director and may supervise others, including fellows and interns.

ABOUT THE ROLE

The responsibilities and objectives for this role include, but are not limited, to the following: Lead the planning and execution of EdTrust-Tennessee’s legislative strategy aligned with aligned with organizational goals to increase educational opportunities for students of color and students from low-income backgrounds in the state of Tennessee Lead the development and oversee the implementation of processes and systems to monitor, analyze, and report state and federal policy developments impacting education equity in Tennessee with internal teams, partners, and key stakeholders as appropriate Serve as EdTrust-Tennessee’s senior expert on state government affairs, including planning and executing legislative engagement events and trainings, coalition building, direct advocacy efforts, and communications strategies that make complex policy information accessible and actionable for a broad array of stakeholders Represent EdTrust-Tennessee in high-level external settings, including legislative meetings, state and national convenings, media engagements, coalition events and other public forums Develop and oversee the creation of advocacy tools, testimonies, position letters, presentations, and other public-facing policy materials to advocate for EdTrust-Tennessee’s policy positions in written and verbal form Build and maintain strong relationships with elected officials, agency staff, and education advocates necessary to achieve EdTrust-Tennessee’s priorities Contribute to organizational strategy by serving on the Leadership Team to advise the strategic direction of EdTrust-Tennessee’s advocacy efforts May supervise staff, interns, or fellows, and provide mentoring to other staff around government affairs to support their growth and development and to build the capacity of the team Collaborate closely with Executive Director to inform grant proposal writing and reporting and attend funder meetings Stay current and knowledgeable on organizational research and reports, as well as the changing policy landscape in Tennessee

IDEAL SKILLS AND CHARACTERISTICS

Shared belief in Ed Trust’s mission and a commitment to improving educational equity with a focus on racial equity Excellent project management and time management skills, including being able to lead and deliver work that is on-time and on-budget Ability to develop, execute, and evolve a legislative strategy to achieve organization policy goals, including identifying multiple policy options, tactics, and messages in an evolving state context Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to convey complex policy information in ways that are accessible to a broad range of stakeholders (e.g., students, parents, lawmakers, partner organizations) Holds established relationships with lawmakers and representatives in their offices at the Tennessee statehouse, and has the ability to cultivate, develop, and maintain relationships with diverse stakeholders Eagerness for collaboration with both internal and external partners High emotional intelligence, professional maturity, and problem-solving skills Willingness to provide constructive feedback to others; as well as to receive and act upon feedback from others Ability to exercise sound judgment and decisiveness when facing pressure and tight timelines, such as during legislative session Dedication in contributing to and maintaining an equitable working environment

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

The ideal candidate will possess the following qualifications and experience: At least a bachelor’s degree is required; an advanced degree in law or public policy is a plus Substantial relevant work experience, with a preference for experience working to develop and implement legislative strategy in education or a related field, preferably on topics of equity Experience developing and setting into motion a legislative strategy and achieving policy wins Deep knowledge of the Tennessee legislature and lawmaking processes

COMPENSATION

This position falls in Level F of our salary structure for our Tennessee office. New hire offers typically fall between $108,360 and 135,450, commensurate with skills, experience, and internal equity and rarely fall at the top of this range. The Education Trust prioritizes the health and well-being of its employees and, to that end, offers a highly competitive benefits package. Medical, dental and vision insurance are covered at 100% for the employee, with significant coverage also offered for dependents. We provide sick leave, vacation leave, and personal leave, and we follow the federal government for most holiday closures. To ensure staff have synchronous opportunities for rest and renewal, the office is closed for a week-long summer break and a week-long winter break. Among other offerings, we provide an Employee Assistance Program at no cost to the employee, and a generous 7% matching opportunity on a 403(b)-retirement plan.

VACCINATION FOR COVID-19

At The Education Trust, the health and safety of our employees is of the utmost importance. As such, all Education Trust employees are required to be fully vaccinated and remain up to date on their vaccinations for

COVID-19.

New hires should be fully vaccinated and up to date on their

COVID-19

vaccinations prior to their first day of work. Requests for accommodations due to medical or religious reasons will be reviewed by Human Resources.

QUALIFIED CANDIDATES, PLEASE APPLY

The Education Trust is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes candidates from diverse backgrounds.

To apply:

Please provide an updated resume and cover letter.