Managing Director of Strategic Partnerships The Education Trust

Managing Director of Strategic Partnerships
The Education Trust-Midwest seeks a full-time Managing Director of Strategic Partnerships.
ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION:
The Education Trust–Midwest (ETM), a nonpartisan, data-driven nonprofit education research,
policy, advocacy and technical assistance organization located in Southeast Michigan, seeks a
full-time senior leader to play a major role in our growing work in Michigan.
The Education Trust-Midwest promotes high academic achievement for all Michigan students
at all levels—pre-kindergarten through college. We serve as a nonpartisan center for honest,
reliable research-based expertise, information and data on how to raise achievement for all
Michigan students. Our goal is to close the gaps in opportunity and achievement that consign
far too many young people—especially those who are African American, Latino, American
Indian, or from low-income families—to lives on the margin of the American mainstream.
Serving as an important source of expertise and data to inform Michigan education
policymaking, ETM also has a new West Michigan office made up of seasoned practitioners who
are working alongside educators and parents to support their efforts to ensure their schools
serve all students at high levels of learning.
ETM serves as the Midwest division of the national Education Trust network, which is
headquartered in Washington D.C. Founded in 1996, the Education Trust speaks up for
students, especially those whose needs and potential are often overlooked. The Education
Trust is widely recognized as an unrivaled source of effective advocacy, expert analysis and
testimony, concise written and spoken presentations, research, and technical assistance to
districts, colleges, and community-based organizations. Ed Trust’s California division, Ed TrustWest, has worked to close achievement gaps for more than 13 years in the state of California.
Regardless of location or context, Ed Trust, Ed Trust-Midwest and Ed Trust-West maintain a
relentless focus on improving the education of all students, particularly those the system
traditionally has left behind.
To learn more, visit www.edtrustmidwest.org and www.edtrust.org.
ABOUT THE POSITION:
The Education Trust-Midwest seeks a full-time Managing Director of Strategic Partnerships to
develop and lead new partnerships – and deepen existing partnerships – to advance
educational quality and equity for all Michigan children. Reporting to the Executive Director in
our Royal Oak office and working in close partnership with the organization’s program
directors, the Managing Director of Strategic Partnerships will provide overall direction to
develop, coordinate, and implement the organization’s collaborative efforts to advance a statewide policy and educational agenda on behalf of students, in partnership with other
organizations across the state.
This is a new position at The Education Trust-Midwest, and this senior leader will serve as a lead
strategist and member of the management team. This individual will provide the strategic
vision and collaborative leadership necessary to develop multi-year strategies and execute
them in partnership with other organization and actors across the state to advance educational
equity and quality for all Michigan children. This is an ideal opportunity for an experienced,
strategic-minded leader to build a new body of promising work and leverage the organization’s
successful track record and expertise in policy, practice and advocacy work at the state level.
This leader also is a confident fundraiser who works equally well with philanthropic partners to
close achievement gaps and advance educational equity in Michigan.
The Education Trust-Midwest recently opened the Center for Excellence in Teaching and
Learning, a new office in West Michigan dedicated to working with teachers, principals, district
leaders and parents to support their efforts to raise teaching and learning for all students of
every background. The ideal candidate will have a sincere interest in work with practitioners. A
background in public education is ideal though not required.
Key responsibilities of the role:
 Develop and sustain productive relationships and partnerships with key statewide and
local business, education and advocacy groups, and membership organizations that are
essential to the success of Michigan public education, from prekindergarten to K-12 and
higher education.
 Provide collaborative leadership to develop an agenda with partners to advance
educational quality and the closing of achievement gaps for all Michigan students. Work
with partners on the effective implementation of such plans to dramatically raise the
level of student achievement and teaching for all Michigan children.
 Manage a new leadership council designed to provide thought partnership and
advocacy support to ETM’s statewide educational improvement agenda.
 Engage and partner with grasstops and grassroots leaders and organizations and leaders
to lift the issue of improving Michigan public education to the front and center of state
policymaking and investment.
 Work in collaboration with ETM’s executive director and staff to develop and sustain
constructive relationships with philanthropic community. Identify new grants and other
opportunities to support the organization’s funding base. Assist with grant writing and
oversee the evaluation process.
 Work in partnership with the ETM management team to develop annual and long-term
goals and strategies around the ETM agenda.
CANDIDATE REQUIREMENTS:
The ideal candidate will bring the following professional experience and personal
characteristics:
 A strategic and comprehensive approach to planning and decision-making; the ability to
back assertions with facts and data; a strong management record with proven success in
producing results and fundraising. A passion for and commitment to the mission of The
Education Trust-Midwest.
 A proven track record of organizational leadership and the development of productive
strategic partnerships that contribute to a successful organization’s mission.
 Excellent written and oral communication skills and the experience and inclination to be
an effective spokesperson for The Education Trust-Midwest. An ability to communicate
effectively the critical need for solutions to the persistent gaps in opportunity and
achievement among those at the margins of the American mainstream, especially
among low-income families and communities of color.
 Strong management and organizational skills with an eye for detail; the highest degree
of professionalism and follow-through; a strong collaborator who enjoys working
regularly and deeply across teams, internally and externally.
 Unquestioned integrity and a commitment to the highest ethical standards.
 A desire to build a growing nonprofit organization in Michigan.
 Knowledge of Michigan education and public policy is required. Advocacy experience is
ideal. Leadership experience in K-12 policy or education – either in traditional public or
charter public schools – is desired though not required.
 Able to work well under pressure and inspire confidence and energy internally and
externally. Adaptable and flexible, excelling in a fast-paced, often-changing state policy
environment.
 Deep appetite for networking and relationship-building.
 Intellectual depth and maturity to work with executives, staff, business and education
leaders, policymakers and civic leaders across Michigan and beyond.
 A collegial, consultative, and team-building approach that puts others at ease and
engenders trust; the ability to actively listen, with an appreciation for nuance in
communication.
 A flexible, innovative nature and a sense of humor.
 Willingness to travel regularly through the state, particularly in Southeast Michigan,
West Michigan and Mid-Michigan.
 Demonstrated ability to work with people of diverse backgrounds, cultures and
perspectives.
 An undergraduate degree is required; an advanced degree is preferred.
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:
Salary is commensurate with experience and qualifications. The Education Trust-Midwest is a
competitive employer and offers a comprehensive benefits package – including medical, dental,
vision, disability, life insurance, flexible spending account options, a 403(b) plan with employer
match, and generous vacation time. Paid holidays include the week between Christmas and
New Year’s and all federal holidays, with the exception of either Columbus or Veteran’s Day.
APPLICATION PROCESS:
Please e-mail a cover letter, resume and writing sample to [email protected]. Please
use “Managing Director” as the subject line for your e-mail. We review applications on a rolling
basis.
The Education Trust-Midwest is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages diversity in all
facets of the organization’s work.