Director, External Engagement

WHAT IS THE ROLE 

You are the Senior Director's right hand across the Alliance's coalition, congressional, and state and school leader portfolio. Reporting to the Senior Director, External Engagement, you turn strategy into execution: drafting the materials, running the logistics, and tracking the follow-up that make the SCOTUS coalition, congressional programming, and state association and school leader engagement work land well and land on time. 

While the Senior Director owns the strategy and the senior relationships with coalition leaders, Legal, and Federal Government Relations, you are the person who makes sure that strategy actually gets delivered: briefing materials are sharp, calls and convenings are well-prepared, partner letters go out on time, and field intelligence gets captured and turned into something useful.  

Operating across several fast-moving workstreams at once, this role requires excellent judgment about what matters most this week, strong writing and drafting skills for varied audiences, and the discretion to work with sensitive legal and political information. 

WHAT YOU'LL DO 

Support Coalition and Legal Strategy Execution 

• Maintain coalition contact lists, meeting notes, and follow-up items for the SCOTUS coalition 

• Draft briefing materials and talking points that translate legal and coalition strategy for partner and stakeholder audiences 

• Coordinate scheduling and logistics for coalition convenings and calls 

Support Congressional Programming Delivery 

• Draft content and materials for Partner Fly-Ins, Congress on Campus visits, and earmark advocacy programming, in coordination with the Manager of Events & Logistics 

• Support school and leader preparation ahead of Hill meetings, ensuring materials and messaging are ready for Federal Government Relations to use 

• Help draft partner letters and track sign-on and targeting logistics 

Support State Association and School Leader Engagement 

• Prepare agendas, materials, and follow-up for State Leader Council (SLC) monthly calls and the three annual convenings 

• Support CSA leader coaching logistics and track engagement across the 2028 implementation cohorts 

• Prepare materials for quarterly school and network leader calls 

Support Coalition Partner and Field Intelligence Work 

• Help execute the playbook for soliciting partner and network-leader input on proposed rules and policy changes 

• Compile field intelligence from coalition gatherings, focus groups, and 1:1 meetings into actionable reports 

• Track coalition partner engagement and maintain accurate records in partnership with the Special Projects Coordinator 

WHO YOU ARE 

Experience 

• You bring 7-10 years of experience in coalition politics, association management, policy or advocacy work, or program management 

• You have experience supporting a senior leader or executive across complex, multi-workstream priorities 

• You have experience drafting policy or advocacy materials for varied audiences — legal, congressional, and grassroots 

• You have experience preparing materials and logistics for recurring calls or convenings 

• You bring familiarity with charter schools, K–12 education policy, or state-level advocacy 

Skills and Approach 

• You are highly organized and comfortable managing several parallel workstreams without dropping details 

• You are a strong, clear writer who can adapt tone and substance for legal, congressional, and grassroots audiences 

• You exercise sound judgment and discretion with sensitive legal and political information 

• You are comfortable operating a level below the primary strategy owner — proactive about execution without needing to hold every relationship yourself 

• You anticipate what the Senior Director will need next and prepare for it before being asked 

This position requires regular travel for SLC convenings, fly-ins, and NCSC. 

WHAT WE OFFER 

The National Alliance for Public Charter Schools offers a sector-leading salary and benefits package. We cover 100% of an employee's medical, dental, and vision premiums, and 50% for spouses and dependents, including an HRA to cover 100% of in-network medical deductibles. We also offer: 

• 403(b) retirement account with up to a 6% match after 90 days of employment 

• Automatic life insurance coverage, short- and long-term disability coverage, and FSA 

• 12 weeks of fully paid parental leave 

• 25 PTO days annually, plus every federal holiday and a week off at year-end 

• Monthly reimbursement for internet and cellular service, plus a $500 home office setup stipend in your first 90 days 

The anticipated starting salary range for this role is $85,000–$110,000, commensurate with experience and qualifications. 

WHO WE ARE 

The National Alliance for Public Charter Schools believes that all families deserve high-quality public school options. Charter schools are independent public schools providing families with a new set of public school options. Each of these schools is developed to be a partnership between parents, teachers, and students. 

When given the option, parents are choosing to enroll their children in charter schools. In fact, the demand for charter schools is far outpacing the supply in most communities. What began as a small movement in a few states has grown to become a major force in education reform across the country. Through advocacy, research, and strategic communications, the National Alliance works to grow the number of high-quality charter schools available to all families, especially those who do not have access to high-quality public schools. 

To apply, please visit: www.publiccharters.org/jobs