Director of Organizing and Advocacy

Summary

Join Rocketship Public Schools as the Director of Organizing & Advocacy to lead and execute network-wide strategies for parent-driven education organizing, civic engagement, and advocacy. This role supports all Rocketship regions, focusing on strengthening Community Power practices. You will collaborate with regional and national teams, spearhead national initiatives, and represent Rocketship at national conferences. The ideal candidate is a strategic thinker passionate about community-driven change and committed to Rocketship's mission. This position is a cornerstone of Rocketship's five-year strategic plan to build Community Power, supporting families, staff, and alumni to drive meaningful change. The role requires strong leadership, communication, and project management skills, along with experience in grassroots organizing and staff training.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or higher
• A minimum of 5-years of experience leading grassroots community organizing campaigns, preferably institution-based organizing
• A minimum of 3-years of experience managing and training staff; Strong training, coaching, and relationship building skills
• Excellent strategic thinking skills and experience developing grassroots campaign strategy, as evidenced through previous organizing campaigns and successes
• Excellent ability to work independently and in teams, set individual and group goals and progress metrics, and hold self and others accountable to achieving them
• Strong written communication skills
• Strong oral communication skills; facilitation and public speaking skills
• Strong influential leadership skills, coalition-building skills, and the ability to collaborate and partner with multiple leaders and stakeholders from diverse backgrounds and experiences
• Strong project management skills and the ability to manage multiple complex projects involving multiple stakeholders
• Ability to create and implement curriculum and trainings on community organizing, education and policy issues, and leadership development for grassroots parent leaders and community organizers
• Comfortable working in a fluid, fast-paced environment and capable of making adjustments in both day-to-day and larger-scale activities based on new information and situations
• Commitment to ongoing professional development and innovation in the field of advocacy and organizing - a growth mindset
• Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends
• Ability to travel frequently, average up to one trip per month

Responsibilities

• Lead and drive progress toward achieving the network’s Community Power goals as outlined in Rocketship’s five-year strategic plan
• Innovate and implement systems to enhance alignment, accountability, and progress tracking of Community Power objectives across the network
• Design, refine, and facilitate training programs for key components of Rocketship’s organizing model, ensuring consistency and effectiveness
• Lead a community of practice for organizing and advocacy leaders across the network, integrating both internal and external professional development opportunities
• Collaborate with regional leaders to develop tailored organizing and advocacy strategies that address critical needs within their communities
• Organize and lead Rocketship’s Day on the Hill in Washington, D.C. during the federal legislative session, ensuring impactful engagement and advocacy efforts
• Represent Rocketship at national conferences and convenings focused on community organizing and advocacy in public education, building relationships and sharing best practices

Benefits

• Excellent health and wellness benefits
• 403b retirement plan
• Flexible spending account (FSA)
• Generous paid time off