Job Posting: Education Justice Director w/ UYC and CEJ

The Coalition for Educational Justice (CEJ) and the Urban Youth Collaborative (UYC), two of the country’s most successful education organizing groups, are seeking an Education Justice Director to provide strategic support and supervision to the coalitions and their campaigns. Over the past decade of fighting for education justice in NYC’s low-income communities of color, CEJ and UYC victories have impacted the lives of thousands of families and students. Our current campaigns are focused on ending the school to prisonpipeline, positive discipline practices, college access, culturally responsive education,
parent engagement, and college-ready community schools. The Director will work closely with both the CEJ and UYC Coordinators, grassroots organizers at the 8 member  organizations, and the youth- and parent-led Boards that direct the coalitions’ work.
Responsibilities include:

Management and supervision
• Day to day supervision of coalition coordinators; collaborate closely with youth and parent organizers, youth and parent leaders, the UYC Youth Organizing Committee and CEJ Parent Leadership Board to develop their capacity, improve their practice, and win campaigns.

Publicity & communications
• In collaboration with the campaign coordinators, manage media and communications, and develop a cadre of parent and youth spokespeople who speak publicly for the coalitions
• Develop youth and parent-friendly materials for political education, campaign promotion, media and communications, etc.
• Write press releases, op-eds and other communications regarding campaign issues

Strategic relationships
• Cultivate and maintain relationships with key policymakers, organizations and unions as needed for building strong and winning campaigns

• Support CEJ and UYC participation in statewide and national coalitions such as Communities for Policy Reform, Journey for Justice, Alliance to Reclaim Our Schools,  Coalition for Community School Excellence, NY State Community School Network

Research and policy analysis
• Identify research, policy and data needs to advance campaign demands and work with colleagues at the Annenberg Institute for School Reform and the NYU Metro Center to fulfill those needs and use the research to win policy change
• Keep abreast and analyze trends in NYC school system and national education reform, to take advantage of opportunities to influence the direction and maximize campaign victories

Training and leadership development
• Design and lead trainings for organizers, parents and youth, on citywide and neighborhood levels, as needed to advance campaigns
• Work with coalition coordinators and grassroots organizers to ensure that youth and parent members are the ones leading the campaigns, making critical strategic and campaign decisions, and that they have the training, preparation and support
needed to take new and bold forms of leadership

Fundraising
• Maintain and expand the approximately $900,000 combined UYC and CEJ budgets, of which approximately $650,000 funds parent and youth organizers at the member organizations, and the rest covers coalition staffing and expenses
• Develop and maintain relationships with foundations, both locally and nationally

Qualifications & Skills:
• A passion for public school improvement and racial equity, and a commitment to parent and youth organizing
• At least five years experience as a community, youth, or labor organizer
• Proven ability to work well with youth, parents and community members and support their leadership
• At least five years of experience in a leadership position at a community organization, supervising other staff
• Excellent writing, research, and communications skills
• Experience in planning, developing and running successful political, legislative or public education campaigns
• Strong track record of fundraising, grant reporting and financial management
• Spanish language skills a plus

Salary range
Salary commensurate with experience. Good benefits package.

To apply, please send a resume and cover letter to nyccej@gmail.com.

We are an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and encourage qualified individuals of every race, creed, ethnicity, ability, sexual orientation, and gender identity to apply.