Director, Regional Impact Indianapolis

[Ashley Ellington]

Director, Regional Impact Indianapolis

Position Grade:  Director 2

Position Location: Indiana

About Leadership for Educational Equity

Leadership for Educational Equity is a nonprofit leadership development organization inspiring and supporting a network of civic leaders to eradicate the injustice of educational inequity.

Through one-on-one coaching, fellowships, workshops, and resources, LEE works to develop and inspire its members individually and collectively, across all disciplines – as policy makers, advocates, elected leaders and community organizers. LEE membership is free and currently open to all TFA corps members and alumni. LEE believes that when a diverse group of leaders, grounded in their classroom experience, are in leadership roles, they will serve as a transformative force for and with 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. LEE is honored to have been selected as a LATINA Style 50 Award recipient and a When Work Works award recipient. We are also an Employer of National Service. 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, please visit educationalequity.org.

Position Summary:

Leadership for Educational Equity (LEE)  is seeking a senior leader to serve as Director, Regional Impact Indianapolis. The Director should bring experience, curiosity and creativity to grow, engage, and organize our base of members in the region.  

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; (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 (e.g. 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.  

LEE is looking for a strategic leader with strong relationship building skills, a thorough understanding of and relationships within the political and education policy landscape of Indianapolis and the skills to launch and support a LEE member led community organizing effort in Indianapolis. 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 Indianapolis. This position will report to a Senior Director of Regional Impact.

Position Location: Indianapolis, IN

Travel Requirements: 20% minimum outside the region (which could increase at times based on interest/onboarding needs); frequent travel throughout Indianapolis and surrounding communities

Responsibilities:

• Provide direct 1-on-1 coaching to members in support of their professional leadership development goals
• Engage with other LEE team members to identify training, fellowships, and programming opportunities that support the individual development of your members
• Recruit and connect LEE members to national programming opportunities that best meet their development needs
• Build a compelling vision for impact, in collaboration with regional partners, based on political opportunities and the assets and strengths of our members
• Build an organized power base for students and communities that begins with getting to know and inspiring the LEE membership base
• Understand the complexities of the political and education landscapes to help members understand where the power lies and what opportunities must be seized to help close the opportunity gap in the region
• Establish and maintain relationships with strategic partners in the regional landscape
• Develop the individual leadership of our members in politics, policy and advocacy, and organizing through coaching, leveraging LEE programming, and ongoing support
• Support the collective leadership of our membership base to take meaningful actions – determined by those members – on behalf of students and communities
• Collaborate with the staff of regional partners and other LEE national teams to ensure that data and insight from regions and members inform ongoing strategy and related materials
• Collaborate with LEE colleagues who have expertise in the areas of organizing, policy, advocacy, and electoral work to collaboratively support the ongoing development of LEE members
• Strategically connect members across pipelines of elected, organizing, policy, and advocacy leadership to realize impact for kids and communities

In sum, the responsibilities of the role generally equate to the following use of time:

• 25% Build collective base of LEE Membership
• 30% Individual Leadership Development
• 20% Regional Strategy
• 15% Partnership and Collaboration
• 10% Special Projects

 

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree 
• 6+ years of relevant work experience 
• Demonstrated track record of building local networks and partnerships with a diverse community of leaders and creating change with these partners 
• Demonstrated skills and background in one or more of the three leadership development priorities of the organization:
  • Politics (including candidate and/or public leadership development, campaign plan development, messaging, conducting a field campaign, coalition building and fundraising) 
  • Policy (including research and analysis, drafting legislation or policy recommendations, advising elected officials and/or other decision-makers, and working for local, state or federal government) 
  • Advocacy/community organizing (including identifying, recruiting, and developing community leaders; developing and implementing civic engagement plans in target communities; issue campaign work; coalition building; and conducting targeted communications through online advocacy platforms)
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Preferred Qualifications:

• Graduate degree in a field related to education and/or policy (e.g., MPP, M.Ed., JD) 
• Exceptional knowledge of the political community and climate in the Indianapolis region 
• Experience coaching others and playing a role in their long-term development
• Demonstrated skills and background in community organizing or movement building 
• Demonstrated track record of culturally competent coaching across lines of difference 
• Demonstrated track record of building strong relationships and organizing with communities of color 

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.