Policy Officer, K-12 Education

The Thornburg Foundation is seeking applications from qualified candidates to lead its K-12 Education Initiative, which coordinates with other funders to improve policies affecting educator preparation, and career and technical education. The K-12 Education Policy Officer position will be responsible for the overall direction of the K-12 Education strategy as well as managing a multi-year grantmaking portfolio consistent with the strategic plan.  

Responsibilities

·      Lead and refine as needed a comprehensive strategy designed to advance the Foundation’s education strategy and annual work plan.

·      Work closely with prospective and current grantees to develop new grant applications, support grant implementation, and ensure grant reporting.

·      Manage an annual grantmaking portfolio of approximately $1 million in grants per year.

·      Prepare and deliver quarterly presentations to the Foundation’s Board of Directors on the progress of the K-12 Education Initiative and grant recommendations.

·      Coordinate and collaborate with partners and stakeholders to advance a strong research and policy agenda.

·      Work in a non-partisan way to build coalitions and engage diverse stakeholders in any strategy, such as national and local business organizations, community and elected officials, Tribal entities, legal experts, non-profit organizations, foundations, and community-based organizations.

·      Ongoing engagement and consultations with national, regional, and state funders and funding collaboratives around K-12 Education work.

·      Provide necessary reporting and updates to the President for his communications with the Thornburg Foundation executive committee.

·      Works with the highest integrity and in full compliance with applicable rules, regulations, and standards.

·      Occasional travel in-state as well as national travel is required.

·      Applicant must pass a background check.

Qualifications

·      Commitment to, experience in, and enthusiasm for advancing policy to strengthen education systems in New Mexico; required

·      Experience working in a non-partisan way, building coalitions, and engaging diverse stakeholders, including Tribal, Hispanic, and rural communities; required

·      Strong written and oral communication skills, as well as organizational and interpersonal skills; required

·      Must operate with an entrepreneurial mindset, be self-directed, and highly collegial; required.

·      5+ years of executive, legislative, campaign, or related political or advocacy experience from within government, the non-profit sector, philanthropy, or other related industry; required.

·      Undergraduate degree in education, economics, public policy, or related field; required. Master’s degree; preferred.

·      Strong project management skills to ensure grants are developed, submitted, monitored, and reviewed on a timely basis; required.

·      Understanding of the New Mexico political landscape; strongly preferred.

·      Experience building issue-advocacy strategies to advance long-term policy objectives; preferred.