Posted: January 06, 2012

Stand for Children – a bold independent voice for public education reform – seeks an exceptional and driven individual to build and maintain the Baton Rouge organizing program for our newly launched state affiliate in Louisiana.

The Organizations
The Stand for Children family consists of two separate organizations—Stand for Children, a grassroots membership lobby for children exempt under section 501©(4) of the Internal Revenue Code, and Stand for Children Leadership Center, a leadership development organization exempt under section 501©(3).

Stand for Children is an independent political voice for students whose mission is to ensure that all children, regardless of their background, graduate from high school prepared for, and with access to, a college education. To date, Stand for Children’s nine state affiliates (AZ, CO, IL, IN, MA, OR, TN, TX and WA) have won more than one hundred victories that have impacted the lives of more than two million children, including playing a key role in passing important education reform legislation in five states in 2010.

Stand for Children and the Stand for Children Leadership Center work together to build broad coalitions, use a range of communications strategies, and manage staff and contract capacity in order to:
• Educate and empower parents, teachers, and community members to demand excellent schools
• Advocate for effective local, state and national education policies and investments
• Ensure the policies and funding we advocate for reach classrooms and help students
• Elect courageous leaders who will stand up for our priorities

We believe all children deserve an equal opportunity to succeed in life. Education is the key that unlocks the door to success, but far too many children, through no fault of their own, aren’t getting the education they need to make it in life. We are passionately committed to righting this wrong. Our vision is of vibrant schools where:
• Strong leaders, strong teachers and engaged communities of parents work effectively together with a shared vision of success;
• Educators receive the support of mentors, relevant professional development, and meaningful feedback so they stay engaged and inspired;
• Educators hold high expectations and are accountable for their own and student’s success;
• Funding is stable and adequate.

The Position:
Stand for Children seeks an outstanding strategist and manager to lead the Baton Rouge chapter which is critical to improving public education and results for Louisiana children. The Baton Rouge Director is a crucial role in the launch of the Louisiana affiliate, and will work with the Executive Director to develop and implement an organizing strategy that will build a powerful Baton Rouge chapter. S/he will ensure effective collaboration with existing city neighborhood and constituency groups, develop and manage the execution of state and city-level strategic electoral and legislative advocacy plans, and organize parents, teachers, and community-members motivated to help improve Baton Rouge schools. The Baton Rouge Director will develop a strong team of Baton Rouge-based Organizers to achieve measurable outcomes and will ensure the program’s sustainability by cultivating local donor relationships, including fundraising part of and maintaining the Baton Rouge chapter budget. The Baton Rouge Director will report to the Louisiana Executive Director and will be based out of Baton Rouge, LA.

The Baton Rouge Director will be joining a national team of professionals committed to improving children’s lives. Stand for Children’s managers and supervisors are empowering, entrepreneurial leaders who are committed to providing outstanding supervision in order for staff to develop as professionals and grow within the organization.

Responsibilities
Management
o Driving and supporting staff to utilize Stand for Children’s organizing model in order to ensure the development of a broad base of Chapter teams across Baton Rouge;
o Lead the selection, supervision and development of Baton Rouge organizers to achieve outcomes on behalf of local reform efforts; and
o Facilitate the development of grassroots action campaigns; electoral, lobbying, and legislative work; and coordinating with coalition allies.

Policy & Advocacy
o In addition to managing a team of Organizers towards results, personally organize one team of parents, teachers, and community members, which includes 30 members and three team leaders;
o Develop a Baton Rouge advocacy strategy in conjunction with staff and chapter leadership;
o Maintain strategic and collaborative relationships with district leadership and key stakeholders in order to propose and identify advocacy opportunities in alignment with educational best practices and Stand for Children chapter membership;
o Create a detailed recruitment and electoral plans for critical races; and
o Learn and stay abreast of what’s working across the country to improve public schools.

Fundraising
o Develop and manage Baton Rouge Chapter budget;
o Create and maintain key donor relationships in order to grow and sustain the Orleans program; and
o Raise a percentage of the Baton Rouge Chapter budget through major individual gifts, corporate donations, foundation grants, and memberships; working closely with National and state staff to identify and secure support from donors.

Qualifications and Qualities Required
• Passionate and unwavering belief in Stand for Children’s mission to ensure that all children, regardless of their background, graduate from high school prepared for and with access to a college education;
• Demonstrated knowledge of the history and political landscape of Baton Rouge and its constituencies, including the students and families served by Baton Rouge schools;
• Minimum of 2-5 years of working closely with community members or parents to achieve change, including teaching, community or political organizing, advocacy, or relevant leadership experience;
• Significant management experience, including hiring, supervising, and developing a team of direct reports;
• Knowledge of and interest in local and state education policy;
• Track record of success in maintaining strategic relationships and working collaboratively with diverse organizations and constituencies;
• Strong interpersonal, communications, and team-building skills; and
• Availability to attend key community events on evenings and weekends.

Compensation:
Competitive salary, commensurate with experience. Excellent benefits: full health and dental coverage; life insurance, long-term disability and long-term care coverage; 401K with a match plan; flexible spending/benefits plan; holidays and vacation accrual.

To Apply:
Stand for Children and Stand for Children Leadership Center are equal opportunity employers and candidates of color are strongly encouraged to apply. To apply for this position, please go to http://stand.org/careers and click on “national opportunities” to fill out our online application, including uploading your resume and a thoughtful cover letter. No calls please.