National Director, Child Policy Training Institute

CHILDRENS DEFENSE FUND•Washington, DC

14h•$165,581 - $202,837•Hybrid

About The Position

The National Director of The CDF Child Policy Training Institute (CPTI) is responsible for setting and executing a strategic vision for CDF’s base-building activities consistent with the mission of the Children’s Defense Fund and building of the nation’s children’s movement. The Director will manage a national team to execute an action plan that ensures effective annual National Trainings across varied communities and constituencies, leveraging the success of CDF Freedom Schools and similar initiatives; provide technical assistance, oversight and effective support of new and continuing programs and initiatives; support partner organizations in implementing the CDF Training Programs; and devise and lead strategies to meet short-term objectives and a long-term vision for The CPTI. The National Director coordinates the work of the national CDF Freedom Schools, Training Initiatives, and Leadership Development & Organizing teams and serves as a member of the Children’s Defense Fund national leadership team. The National Director of CDF’s CPTI will be a dynamic, thoughtful, and mission-driven leader with strong management skills who excels in balancing internal management with external impact and visibility. In addition to direct experience in providing direct service training, leadership development, and power building initiatives to underserved and marginalized communities, the National Director will have extensive knowledge of current research in the fields of education, organizing and racial justice, and trends in professional development. The National Director will also be an outstanding communicator able to effectively convey CDF’s mission to a variety of constituencies, donors and champions and engage them in the programs, activities and advocacy work of the Children’s Defense Fund on the local, state and national level.

Requirements

Experience managing a program closely proximate to the goals and objectives of CDF CPTI is required.
Bachelor’s Degree with 10+ years of related and/or supervisory experience
Master’s degree in Education, Public Administration, Social Work, or related field is required.
Years of education may be considered for experience.
10+ years of experience with at least 5 years of experience in one or more of the following: education and/or youth development, a social science discipline, professional experience in a school or university workplace, and particular experience working with low-income communities and children of color;
Strong management and leadership skills, including an ability to supervise a wide range of programmatic and technical assistance activities through layers, as well as an ability to manage staff with varying levels of experience and knowledge;
A strategic thinker with demonstrated management and leadership skills and commitment to quality;
Gifted in networking and organizing diverse groups around a common agenda;
Experience in planning and implementing Training Programs;
Ability to support and collaborate with colleagues in addressing organization-wide goals;
Understanding of and commitment to the vision of the Children's Defense Fund and CDF CPTI;
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, and attention to detail;
Strong interpersonal skills;
Demonstrated ability and willingness to meet tight deadlines;
High level of maturity and ability to interact effectively with diverse constituencies;
Strong organizational skills;
Ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously;
Demonstrated ability and willingness to be a team-player in a fast-paced working environment;
Demonstrated interest and commitment to improving the lives of children and their families.

Nice To Haves

Prior experience working in a CDF Freedom Schools site, Training, Community Organizing, and/or Leadership Development Program is strongly preferred

Responsibilities

Set strategic direction to deepen and expand the impact of CDF National Training Programs on behalf of children in underserved communities across America and CDF’s mission including CDF Freedom Schools and Leadership Development & Organizing, including the training and mobilization of faith communities, students & youth, and parents & caregivers.
Lead cross-functional team toward high-stakes mobilization, organizing and power building objectives across diverse constituencies and programmatic offerings
Ensure collaborative and complementary practices and outcomes across National Leadership and Organizing and Freedom Schools teams for the sake of CDF’s mission and vision
Work with Vice President, Chief Strategy Officer/National Director, CPTI to develop and manage annual departmental budget to support functional departmental workplan, ensuring achievement of revenue, grant, spending goals and sound fiscal choices as budget manager
Direct the development and implementation of outreach and organizing plans including leadership development, communications and constituent relationship management systems, strategic and tactical plans.
Provide leadership and technical assistance to sustain partnerships with other organizations and coalitions and recruit new partners able to operate and/or engage with high quality CDF CPTI Training programs.
Work in collaboration with the CDF Development staff to secure funding to sustain, expand, and continuously improve CDF CPTI, bringing CPTI activities to revenue neutral where applicable.
Serve as an ambassador for CDF CPTI to disseminate information about the program among prospective partners, policymakers, funders, evaluators and other stakeholders.
Collaborate with CDF state affiliates to plan and implement strategies to expand CDF CPTI Training Programs.
Represent CDF CPTI at conferences, meetings and other public forums.
Work with CDF Public Affairs staff to identify proactive media opportunities, respond to press inquiries, serve as an on-the-record spokesperson for CDF CPTI, and advise and collaborate on various policy initiatives where appropriate
Seek feedback from direct reports, peers and supervisors to continuously improve individual and team contributions
Serve as a member of CDF’s National Leadership Team.
Provide leadership to senior managers as they implement annual plans to provide quality, mission aligned CDF National Training Programs, mobilizing and organizing activities
Build and oversee the CDF National Training Programs evaluation, data collection, and reporting system to monitor student achievement and program effectiveness across Freedom Schools and LDO.
Collaborate with National Director of Public Affairs to identify policy research to align with CDF CPTI National Training Programs.
Provide guidance and oversight to ensure all written, oral, or electronic communication about CDF CPTI is accurate, high-quality, and consistent with CDF branding, policies and ethos.
Oversee fiscal and administrative procedures to assure fiscally sound programs and accounting systems.
Monitor the implementation of CDF CPTIM programs that are operated by CDF staff to ensure high quality and compliance with funding requirements and to foster the sustainability (and expansion) of the programs.
Monitor emerging needs among CDF’s base and key stakeholders, including students and youth, alumni, Freedom School parents, and faith community leaders