Deputy Director, Policy and Advocacy

Communities Foundation of Texas•Austin, TX

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Deputy Director of Policy and Advocacy for Educate Texas, an initiative of Communities Foundation of Texas (CFT), manages a portfolio of evidence-based education and workforce policy priorities intended to advance student outcomes and career success. Working closely with the Director of Policy and Advocacy, the Deputy Director develops and coordinates policy and advocacy strategies; monitors and analyzes legislation, agency rules, implementation guidance, and research; and translates findings into recommendations, communications, testimony, and other products. The role builds relationships with policymakers, agency representatives, education and workforce practitioners, advocacy partners, business leaders, and other stakeholders. It collaborates across Educate Texas to align policy with programs and elevate recommendations that strengthen education and workforce outcomes across Texas. The Deputy Director also co-leads assigned policy councils, plans and manages learning events, completes research projects, and drafts policy recommendations and communications. The position is based in Austin, Texas. The successful candidate must live locally or be willing to relocate and must be willing to travel overnight, in and out of state, up to 20% of the time.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required.
At least four years of professional experience in policy, public affairs, or government relations, ideally focused on education and/or workforce development.
Knowledge of emerging education and workforce policy issues, including educator effectiveness, college and career readiness, artificial intelligence, postsecondary success, career pathways, and workforce development.
Experience with the policymaking process through a legislative body, state or federal agency, education organization, advocacy organization, or other relevant policymaking entity.
Experience in at least one of the following: coalition organizing, communications, public-sector data analysis, education or workforce policy implementation, or stakeholder engagement.
Ability to model and demonstrate CFT’s core competencies: Collaboration, Impact and Problem Solving, Integrity and Accountability, Learning, and Internal and External Service.
Must reside locally in Austin or be willing to relocate.
Must be willing to travel overnight, in and out of state, up to 20% of the time.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in education policy, public affairs, or a related field.
Experience as a legislative staff member, policy researcher, advocate, or nonprofit professional.

Responsibilities

Monitor and interpret education and workforce policy developments at state, agency, and institutional levels, and recommend actions that advance Educate Texas priorities.
Collect, clean, analyze, synthesize, and manage quantitative and qualitative data.
Research proposed legislation, agency rules, and implementation guidance to inform policy priorities and Educate Texas responses or positions.
Develop and manage data-informed policy, advocacy, and implementation strategies with the Director of Policy and Advocacy and other Educate Texas leaders.
Collaborate with internal teams and external partners to align policy with program activities across assigned topics.
Co-lead assigned Educate Texas policy councils, coalitions, and stakeholder groups.
Convene stakeholders with differing perspectives, build alignment around shared priorities, and sustain engagement.
Design and facilitate virtual and in-person meetings, learning opportunities, and convenings that connect stakeholders with practitioners, experts, and policymakers.
Develop policy briefs, presentations, written and oral testimony, policy and advocacy messages, stakeholder awareness materials, reports, and other products.
Translate complex policy ideas and research findings into clear, practical written and verbal communications.
Respond to internal and external partner questions and represent Educate Texas with credibility, sound judgment, and diplomacy.
Build and manage relationships with policymakers, agencies, practitioners, policy and advocacy organizations, and business and community leaders.
Create opportunities for stakeholders to engage decision-makers, advocate for evidence-based solutions, and elevate practitioner and community perspectives in policymaking and implementation.
Manage multiple projects by defining outcomes, work plans, milestones, and measures of progress; coordinate schedules, logistics, deliverables, and stakeholder communications.
Monitor and maintain project budgets associated with policy and advocacy priorities.
Support fundraising, proposal development, grant reporting, and funder relationships by producing accurate content and documenting progress and results.
Promote organizational culture and values, strengthen integration of policy, programs, and partnerships, and support hiring, coaching, and development of team members.
Model collaboration, accountability, learning, sound judgment, and service.