Director of Policy

About the Organization

The Chicago Education Alliance (CEA) is a new nonprofit built to serve as a field catalyst connecting Chicago's education advocacy ecosystem by convening partners, forging shared priorities, and driving coordinated action toward a student-centered policy agenda. 

CEA amplifies the power of grassroots organizations, civic institutions, and advocacy groups by building cross-sector coalitions and bridging the field to decision-makers. Our mission: to catalyze the field and champion policies that ensure every Chicago student, especially those furthest from opportunity, has access to a rigorous education and a pathway to economic mobility.

The Opportunity

This is a rare chance to be an inaugural policy leader at an organization purpose-built to transform how Chicago advocates for its students. The Director of Policy serves as CEA's chief policy strategist – generating insights, translating research into action, and driving citywide coherence across a diverse coalition of education partners.

Under the leadership of the Founding Executive Director, reporting directly to the Chief Operating Officer and working in close partnership with the Director of Community Engagement, this role is ideal for a seasoned policy professional who thrives in start-up environments, excels at building systems from scratch, and brings deep fluency in Chicago's education ecosystem. The Director will shape and operationalize CEA's full policy agenda at the intersection of research, advocacy, and coalition alignment.

Key Responsibilities

Policy Leadership & Strategy

  • Advance CEA's co-designed policy agenda for PreK–12 education across the city

  • Monitor local, state, and federal policy developments; translate emerging trends into timely, actionable recommendations

  • Be a visible public representative of CEA: participate in city and state education policy conversations, serve on advisory boards and councils, testify on key initiatives, and represent CEA at convenings and in media as appropriate

  • Develop policy positions to forward the goals of CEAs Action Agenda and priorities – fiscal stability, board governance, and data transparency

  • Center policies in equity, lived community experience, and rigorous evidence

  • Provide policy analysis and leadership to coalitions, committees, task forces, and working groups in which CEA participates

  • Seek out and develop innovative solutions and best practices to improve access, opportunities, and outcomes across the full education continuum

  • Make connections across the full education continuum – early childhood through higher education and workforce – and inform CEA's policy positions by monitoring the evolving landscape of education equity conversation

  • Independently engage external stakeholders around common goals and policy solutions

Research & Analysis

  • Oversee the development of policy tools and resources for internal and external audiences: issue briefs, fact sheets, testimony, presentations, and memoranda 

  • Translate complex data and research into compelling narratives for diverse audiences including funders, legislators, media, and the public

  • Direct the review of all policy and research products to ensure they are high-quality, accurate, equity-driven, and actionable; ensure all grant deliverables are met on time

  • Ensure all policy work is grounded in current research and responsive to the evolving needs of Chicago students and families

Coalition & Partner Engagement

  • Work in partnership with the Director of Community Engagement and CEA’s coalition of community-based organizations and ecosystem partners 

  • Build and sustain relationships with city and state agencies, research institutions, philanthropy, and advocacy partners

  • Design and facilitate cross-sector convenings, collaborative learning structures, and coalition alignment sessions

  • Engage and collaborate with internal Chicago Public School teams and staff as necessary to achieve common goals 

Organizational Leadership

  • Serve as a member of CEA's senior leadership team, contribute to annual planning and goal-setting, and foster a collaborative team environment

  • Coordinate with the Director of Community Engagement and across CEA workstreams to integrate policy across all organizational functions

  • Build the infrastructure, norms, and processes for the policy and research function

  • Promote the growth of others by sharing knowledge and expertise; actively engage diverse stakeholders and ensure inclusion of diverse viewpoints in all policy work

  • Exercise sound judgment and decisiveness in navigating a fast-moving political and policy environment

Qualifications

Required

  • Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree preferred 

  • Minimum 7 years of progressive policy or advocacy experience, with at least 5 years in education policy strongly preferred 

  • Deep knowledge of PreK–12 and/or government, finance policy, including system challenges, opportunities, and state and national policy contexts 

  • Strong understanding of systemic barriers contributing to education inequities

  • Excellent research, analytic, and problem-solving skills, including the ability to quickly synthesize large amounts of information and translate complexity for diverse audiences 

  • Excellent communication skills across modes including writing, speaking, listening, and advising 

  • Strong facilitation skills, including experience leading inclusive conversations with diverse stakeholders 

  • Ability to exercise sound judgment and decisiveness, Commitment to equity and research-driven policy development; ability to navigate an ever-changing political context

Preferred

  • Knowledge of the political, policy, and partner landscape in Chicago and Illinois, with existing relationships across the education ecosystem 

  • Experience working in or with advocacy coalitions or cross-sector partnerships

  • Familiarity with Illinois legislative and regulatory processes 

  • Experience in a start-up or build-phase organization

Location & Works Environment

Chicago, IL; Hybrid work environment with in-person presence expected for meetings, convenings, and key events.

Compensation and Benefits

Starting Salary: $120,000, commensurate with experience, qualifications, and demonstrated expertise.

Benefits: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage; 401(k) match through fiscal sponsor; generous PTO and holiday schedule.

CEA offers a competitive salary commensurate with experience, along with a comprehensive benefits package. CEA is an equal opportunity employer and strongly encourages applications from candidates who reflect the communities it serves.

Additional Requirements

On-site/in-office presence required, with flexibility.
Occasional evening or weekend work may be required based on organizational needs.

Equal Opportunity

Chicago Education Alliance is committed to building a diverse team and fostering an inclusive work environment. We welcome all applicants regardless of race, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religion, disability, or veteran status.

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