[Hiring] Senior Director of Partnerships & Advocacy @Education Reform Now Advocacy

Role Description

Democrats for Education Reform (DFER) and its partner organizations, Education Reform Now (ERN) and Education Reform Now Advocacy (ERNA), are seeking an experienced and strategic Senior Director of Partnerships and Advocacy to lead high-impact national and state-level initiatives that advance educational opportunity for families across the country—especially low-income families and families of color.

This is a leadership role designed to grow over time. The Senior Director of Partnerships & Advocacy will initially focus with urgency and full investment on the Federal Scholarship Tax Credit (FSTC)—a transformative and time-sensitive opportunity to expand available education dollars for families in states across the country.

• With 36 states holding gubernatorial elections in 2026, the window to build political will and secure FSTC opt-in commitments is immediate and consequential.
• Success in this phase will require rapid coalition building, deep government relations work, and sophisticated multi-state execution.

As the FSTC initiative matures, this role will evolve to lead other major organizational priorities adjacent to continued FSTC advocacy.

• These may include initiatives relevant to the 2028 presidential election cycle, emerging federal and state education policy opportunities, and other strategic initiatives.
• The Senior Director of Partnerships & Advocacy will help define and build the organizational infrastructure for these future initiatives while executing on immediate priorities.

Qualifications

• Significant knowledge of school choice, charter schools, and K–12 education reform policy is preferred.
• A commitment to educational equity and expanding opportunity for underserved families is non-negotiable.
• Familiarity with political campaigns, government affairs, or advocacy, with a track record of winning complex legislative or executive-branch campaigns at the state or federal level.
• Strong personal relationships with center-left governors, gubernatorial staff, presidential campaign alumni, or other executive-branch decision-makers are strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to build and manage complex, multi-stakeholder coalitions across diverse political and community partners.
• Ability to translate complex policy concepts into compelling narratives for policymakers, press, and the public; experience overseeing digital campaigns and earned media efforts.
• Experience managing multi-faceted campaigns with multiple workstreams, contractors, and budgets simultaneously.
• Comfort operating in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment; ability to build systems and structures while executing on an ambitious timeline.
• Ability to think beyond the immediate campaign cycle and contribute to building organizational capacity for future priorities, including the 2028 presidential cycle.

Requirements

• Applicants must be legally authorized to work for any employer in the United States and will be required to submit proof of eligibility.
• We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa at this time.

Benefits

• Health, vision, and dental coverage
• Cell phone and internet reimbursement
• Flexible spending plan
• Life insurance
• Short- and long-term disability insurance
• 401K plan with a match
• Paid family leave
• Paid time off (vacation, sick time, floating holidays, and all national holidays)

Company Description

Democrats for Education Reform (DFER) is a national political organization that supports elected Democrats and candidates for office who seek to expand policies and practices that work well for America’s students and confront those that do not.

• We are education advocates who prioritize students and families, especially low-income students and students of color who should be better served by our country’s education system.
• Education Reform Now Advocacy (ERNA) is an advocacy group that advances education reform measures through executive and legislative engagement strategies and political advocacy work.
• Education Reform Now (ERN) is a nonpartisan think tank that promotes increased resources and innovative reforms in K–12 public education, particularly for students of color and students from low-income families.