StudentsFirst is a comprehensive and uncompromising national movement to build upon, connect, and accelerate reforms that defend the interests of America’s students.  Specifically, the organization will articulate a gold standard for education reform, based on the best evidence on what works in teacher professionalism, student choice, and system-wide accountability.  We will provide tools and services to local leaders who want to implement change and we will build a membership movement with a national voice.  We will deploy resources to defend students’ interests with litigation, mobilization, advocacy and direct political activity.  Fighters for reform will know that they are not fighting alone.  Our organization’s Founder and CEO is Michelle Rhee, former Chancellor of DC Public Schools.  

Position

The Chief Of Staff reports directly the VP of Legislation and works in collaboration with other teams (advocacy, mobilization, outreach, operations and communications) across the company at all levels.  The successful candidate will demonstrate the ability to plan, define, lead and deliver high visibility programs/projects preferably with experience in a Chief of Staff-like-role.   

Key Responsibilities and Skills

Project Management:

• Demonstrates a sense of urgency and ownership to drive projects to completion and succeed in a collaborative environment; 
• Plans and conducts project kickoff meetings, developing detailed baseline project plans;
• Communicates status issues and risks to project stakeholders and maintains project documentation.
• Works closely with all organizational units and functions to align operations with strategy;
•  Effects results and provides leadership by maneuvering through appropriate formal and informal organizational channels and project teams.
• Prepares and delivers effective and compelling presentations.

Organizing and Developing:

• Implements strategy and roadmap for intra-team legislative initiatives.

Operating Rhythms:

• Creates and manages effective, scalable processes to manage operating rhythms such as operating reviews, metrics/analytics, staff meetings and operating excellence processes;
• Manages complex issues where analysis of situations or data requires an in-depth knowledge of the organization and membership quality.

Communication:

• Partners with Communications to plan, execute and deliver key messages to internal and external audiences.   

Qualifications

• 5+ years mid to senior level management experience;
• 3-5 years work experience in a legislative or political setting preferred;
• Education reform advocacy organizational experience preferred (not required);
• Must be highly organized and able to multi-task;
• Requires strong MS/OS computer skills; comfort/familiarity with Mac OS;
• Bachelor’s Degree in related subject;

Please apply at www.StudentsFirst.org/Jobs. 

SOURCE: PUBLIC AFFAIRS COUNCIL 01/31/12