Democrats for Education reform (DFER) is seeking a Vice President, Advocacy to execute our state-based advocacy function to ensure DFER advances a systematic, state-by-state advocacy program aligned with our executive engagement strategy. The Vice President, Advocacy will build and lead this national Advocacy function, taking ownership of state policy strategy — partnering with governors and their senior teams, executive branch leaders, legislative leaders, and in-state advocates to move DFER’s priorities through whichever levers fit: executive action, the state budget, legislation, and regulation. This person will build on DFER’s existing gubernatorial relationships and drive our policy commitments from inception through implementation. The VP, Advocacy will operate at a national scale and lead deep, multi-lever campaigns in two to three priority states each year while maintaining relationships with governors and their teams in several additional states — a tiered model that lets DFER go deep where opportunities are ripest and stay ready to move elsewhere as windows open. The role will shift across regions and markets as political conditions change.
Requirements
State Advocacy Strategy
Stand up and oversee DFER's new Advocacy function, including:
Aligning state-based advocacy with DFER's executive engagement strategy, leveraging existing political capital and relationships;
Establishing clear ownership and accountability for moving campaign commitments to enacted policy through executive, budgetary, legislative and regulatory channels in target states;
Mapping and identifying “emerging market” states that may have new opportunity for legislation, in alignment with our policy agenda;
Developing state-by-state advocacy plans in 5 - 7 states, aligned with DFER's executive strategy and Policy Framework;
Coordinating with the Policy Team on relevant and timely policy strategy memos for governors and their teams that map the right levers (executive orders, budget proposals, legislation, agency rules) for each priority;
Leading DFER’s post-election engagement with newly-elected governors, serving as the administration’s policy partner through the first legislative session and budget cycle.
Relationship Management & Lobbying
Develop and maintain relationships with governors’ senior staff, cabinet and agency leaders, legislative leaders and staff, and in-state advocacy partners.
Meet regularly - both in person and remotely - with senior sitting governors and state legislative staff on time-sensitive, relevant policy priorities, in collaboration with our Campaigns and Policy teams.
Partner with the Policy team to track and draft legislation in target states.
Manage lobbying contracts and oversee 4-6 active lobbying efforts to execute state-based advocacy strategies.
Coalitions & Communications
Coordinate with in-state coalitions and advocates to build support for priority policies across executive and legislative branches.
In states without an established coalition, evaluate the local partner landscape for coalition potential and, where feasible, support on-the-ground partners in forming one.
Partner with the Communications team on earned media, op-eds and public campaigns that build momentum for state priorities.
Work with the Research team to deploy state polling and data in advocacy plans.
Represent DFER in state and national convening's, building visibility for DFER’s state wins.
Function Leadership & Operations
Build the Advocacy function’s structure, processes and tools, including state tracking systems, playbooks and reporting templates.
Manage the Advocacy budget, including lobbying contracts, consultants and state-based vendors.
Set annual goals and OKRs for state policy wins, and report progress to leadership and the board.
Ensure compliance with state lobbying registration and reporting requirements, in partnership with Finance and compliance counsel.
ESSENTIAL SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS
Bachelor's degree required; advanced…