Ashley Ellington
Director, Colorado Region Impact
Position Grade: Director 2
Position Location: Colorado
About Leadership for Educational Equity
Leadership for Educational Equity (LEE) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan leadership development organization dedicated to developing its members’ potential to ensure every child has the opportunity to receive an outstanding education.
Our kids and communities need more leaders who believe that educational inequity is a solvable problem. We believe that when our members are organized and reach positions of leadership, they’ll serve as a transformative force for students, communities and the broader movement for educational equity.
LEE is a diverse team of passionate and talented individuals committed to making a difference. We are a high-growth, results-oriented organization that operates in an entrepreneurial environment deeply invested in continuous improvement. If you would like to become part of our team and join the fight for educational equity, or if you would simply like to learn more about what we do, please visit educationalequity.org.
Position Summary:
Leadership for Educational Equity (LEE) is seeking a senior leader to serve as Director of Impact in the Colorado Region. The Director should bring knowledge of the regional political landscape, a deep network of relationships with influential leaders in the local policy and advocacy arena, experience in elected leadership (campaigns or candidates), and the energy and enthusiasm to grow and organize our base of members in the region through engagement in the LEE collective action network.
Directors bring an entrepreneurial spirit to drive our local impact in regions across the country by: (1) actively building a base of civically engaged members and (2) helping our members develop into and assume senior leadership roles in policy, in advocacy and as elected official and (3) developing the organizing skills of our members leading local community organizing efforts.
Directors collaborate with our national expert teams at LEE in Elected Leadership, Policy and Advocacy, and Organizing Leadership to bring national gold-standard support in these areas; they partner with our LEE Leadership Development and Design team to develop best-in-class programming in support of the developmental needs and interests of our members; and they work with our partner organizations - i.e. Teach For America - to advance the regional vision and maximize our impact on the ground. The Director serves as the face of LEE and the primary point of contact for members in their region.
The Director in Colorado will manage a Director of Program and Organizing, who takes the lead on local community organizing efforts and strategy.
LEE is looking for a strategic leader with strong relationship building skills, a history of collective action success, a thorough understanding of and relationships within the political and education policy landscape of the Colorado Region with particular focus on Denver and the Denver Metropolitan Area, the skills to support a LEE member led community organizing effort in the region, and the ability to inspire and recruit members to run for office. As LEE’s digital engagement initiatives grow, the Director will be tasked with managing members’ journeys through blended learning - digital and in-person engagement and action. The Director will be charged with building a movement that leverages the collective strengths of our members to achieve educational equity for all children in Colorado. This position will report to a Senior Director of Regional Impact.
Position Location: Colorado - Denver Metro Area
Travel Requirements: 20% minimum outside the region (which could increase at times based on interest/onboarding needs); frequent travel throughout the region, including, but not limited to, Colorado Springs, Pueblo; other areas throughout the state of Colorado.
Responsibilities:
Regional Vision and Strategy (10%)
- Craft a coherent regional strategy that aligns with LEE's theory of action and supports org-wide goal attainment, including the use of collective action as a tool for member engagement and increased impact in the region
Build and Manage Relationships (20%)
- Build relationships with members, support/guide them to engage in online learning and small actions (all members), connect them with national supports (mid- to senior-level members), and strategically connect LEE members to work toward common objectives
- Build and steward relationships with external influencers
Program Management and Implementation (20%)
- Plan and execute regional events including design and facilitation of regional organizing programming and occasional facilitation of national trainings
- Manage team towards high impact outcomes and achieving regional vision
Landscape Knowledge and Partners (10%)
- Deeply understand and navigate the local landscape, political relationships, and power structures in the region to support member action and impact
- Engage partners toward development of LEE members and impact in the region
Team Management (10%)
- Lead direct report, Director of Program and Organizing, towards high outcomes for regional impact
Candidate Recruitment (20%)
- Recruit candidates for elected leadership and transition to national Candidate Development team upon filing
Manage and Support Regional Strategy Team (10%)
- Lead Director, Program & Organizing to:
- Recruit RST members and engage with them to move them from idea to action - advise, support, and nudge
- Lead turnout efforts for RSTs; agitate and build the base for collective actions and leverage national platform organizing supports to amplify RST and member impact
Minimum Qualifications:
- 6+ years relevant professional experience
- 2+ years organizing experience either as a volunteer or paid organizer
- Demonstrated track record of building local networks and partnerships with a diverse community of leaders and creating change with these partners
- Deep regional expertise and connections and ability to move influencers to achieve impact
- Baseline level of knowledge and skills in Elected Leadership, Policy and Advocacy, and Community Organizing
- Ability to communicate and collaborate within a geographically dispersed team, virtually
- Strong, demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity & inclusion
- Deep passion for educational equity and belief in LEE’s mission and theory of change
Preferred Qualifications:
- Graduate degree in a field related to education and/or policy (e.g., MPP, M.Ed., JD)
- Experience coaching others and playing a role in their long-term development
- Experience managing a high-functioning entrepreneurial team
- Experience in coaching and recruiting candidates for elected leadership
- Demonstrated experience effectively working and coaching across lines of difference
- Demonstrates experience in coalition building and organizing with communities of color
- Has a network of community and political relationships
Benefits and Salary
Salary for this position is competitive and depends on prior experience. In addition, a comprehensive benefits package is included. LEE offers a comprehensive benefits plan that includes health, dental and vision coverage for spouses, families and domestic partners; life insurance; a retirement package with employer match; family and parent benefits; generous paid time off and an organization-wide winter break between Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.
An Equal-Opportunity Employer with a Commitment to Diversity
Leadership for Educational Equity is proud to be an equal opportunity employer, and as an organization committed to diversity and the perspective of all voices, we consider applicants equally of race, gender, color, sexual orientation, religion, marital status, disability, political affiliation and national origin. We reasonably accommodate staff members and/or applicants with disabilities, provided they are otherwise able to perform the essential functions of the job.
An affirmative action-equal opportunity employer.
The statements in this description represent typical elements, criteria, and general work performed. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required for the job.