Deputy Director II, External Affairs

The Education Trust • Oakland, CA

16d • $170,370 - $212,960 • Hybrid

About The Position

EdTrust-West seeks its first Deputy Director, External Affairs, in its Oakland office. The Deputy Director will join a staff committed to fulfilling the mission of closing educational opportunity gaps that disproportionately affect students of color and those from low-income backgrounds.

The Deputy Director II, External Affairs, is a senior organizational leader responsible for translating EdTrust‑West’s policy priorities into clear public narratives, coordinated advocacy campaigns, and aligned external engagement. This role works closely with the Executive Director to set the vision and strategic direction for EdTrust‑West’s external affairs agenda and serves as a core member of the Executive Group.

The Deputy Director serves as a connector for directors who lead four critical external affairs functions Communications, Partnerships and Engagement, Greater Los Angeles, and Educator Engagement and is accountable for ensuring these teams operate as an integrated system. Through strong internal leadership, clear execution rhythms, and disciplined alignment, the Deputy Director ensures that EdTrust‑West’s external strategy builds understanding, mobilizes partners, and drives measurable policy and advocacy impact.

EdTrust is committed to advancing policies and practices to dismantle the racial and economic barriers embedded in the U.S. education system. Through our research and advocacy, Ed Trust improves equity in education from preschool through college, engages diverse communities dedicated to equity and justice, and increases political and public will to build an education system where all students will thrive.

This role, available immediately in our Oakland office, is eligible for telework up to 3 days a week per our current policy. The Deputy Director of External Affairs reports to the Executive Director and will supervise a mid-sized, multi-layered team.

Requirements

• Dedication in contributing to and maintaining an equitable working environment, which includes a commitment to “Walking the Talk;” this means operating with an understanding that systemic and institutionalized racism significantly affect communities of color and the historical impact of privilege and power on American systems
• Strong relationship building skills with internal teams, community partners, funders, media, and other stakeholders.
• Proven experience leading external affairs functions such as strategic communications, media relations, partner mobilization, and campaign execution as an integrated system.
• Demonstrated experience leading multi‑month external affairs or advocacy campaigns end‑to‑end, including goal setting, message development, partner activation, media strategy, milestones, and evaluation of results.
• Willingness to provide constructive feedback to others as well as receive and act upon feedback from others
• Comfort serving as a public spokesperson and coaching other leaders to do the same.
• High emotional intelligence, professional maturity, and the ability to lead through conflict while maintaining urgency and clarity
• Proven skill in creating a collaborative team culture with effective team and individual management
• Prior leadership experience in an advocacy organization
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and decisiveness
• Demonstrated commitment to advancing racial equity, including the ability to articulate how dynamics around race show up in strategy, messaging, partner choices, and advocacy tactics in the current political climate
• At least a bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in education, communications, public policy/administration, or a related field; advanced degree is a plus
• Extensive and relevant experience, typically ten or more years, leading in external affairs, public affairs, or related senior leadership roles
• Deep understanding and expertise in one or more of the following areas (two or more preferred): Strategic communications: Ability to develop and implement comprehensive communication plans that align with organizational goals, engage key audiences, and elevate brand visibility. Media relations: Proven experience building relationships with journalists and media outlets, crafting compelling press materials, and securing media coverage across diverse platforms. Partner mobilization with educational, nonprofit, and regional entities: skilled in cultivating and managing partnerships with schools, districts, community organizations, and nonprofits to drive shared initiatives and amplify impact. Technical assistance approaches and strategies: Knowledge of designing, marketing, and delivering technical assistance, capacity-building strategies, and implementation support tailored to diverse stakeholders.
• In-depth experience managing organizational change, driving positive organizational culture while navigating cross-functional/organizational workflows, and launching and implementing collaborative, successful advocacy campaigns
• Demonstrated experience managing and developing staff, including senior managers; ten or more years of management experience strongly preferred
• Strong public speaking skills, with the ability to effectively convey organizational positions with external audiences
• Excellent project management, time management, and budget management skills

Nice To Haves

• Knowledge and understanding of education equity issues in California a plus but not required

Responsibilities

• Serve as a key member of the Executive Group and Management Group, partnering with the Executive Director on organization wide strategic and operational priorities, including annual work planning, budgeting, and performance monitoring.
• Set and lead a unified external affairs strategy that aligns communications, media relations, partner engagement, regional work, and educator engagement around shared goals and campaigns.
• Build and maintain cross team execution systems including shared calendars, campaign plans, decision routines, and feedback loops so that external affairs work moves in coordination rather than in silos.
• Facilitate and lead cross-functional team meetings that are specific to key external affairs and advocacy initiatives, regularly aligning and troubleshooting with other organizational leaders
• Center EdTrust-West’s strategic plan as the north star for the organization’s work and develop systems and methods for measuring and regularly evaluating impact and progress of the external affairs strategy and team
• Translate EdTrust‑West policy priorities into clear public facing messages, tools, and campaigns in close partnership with policy and research leaders.
• Ensure that partnerships and external engagements are strategically aligned and inform the organization’s strategic plan, annual priorities, and advocacy approach.
• Elevate EdTrust‑West policy priorities by serving as a spokesperson and by preparing other organizational leaders to represent the organization externally with message discipline and confidence.
• Build and maintain new and existing philanthropic and funder relationships and contribute to grant proposals and reports as needed to sustain and expand external affairs functions and priorities
• Lead a dynamic, multi-layered team by identifying and retaining diverse talent, coaching and developing direct reports, managing and assessing performance, and building in succession plans

Benefits

• Medical, dental and vision insurance are covered at 100% for the employee, with significant coverage also offered for spouses, domestic partners, and dependents.
• We provide sick leave, vacation leave, and personal leave, and we follow the federal government for most holiday closures.
• To ensure staff have synchronous opportunities for rest and renewal, the office is closed for a week-long summer break and a week-long winter break.
• Among other offerings, we provide an Employee Assistance Program at no cost to the employee, and a generous 7% contribution opportunity on a 403(b)-retirement plan.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive