Senior Manager, Innovation and Choice

ROLE: Senior Manager, Innovation and Choice

LOCATION:​ Remote, or Hybrid if within 60 miles of Providence, Rhode Island 

POSITION TYPE: Exempt, Full-time

TRAVEL REQUIREMENT: 5%

START DATE: ASAP

REPORTS TO: Vice President, K-12 Policy

ROLE OVERVIEW

Democrats for Education Reform (DFER) is seeking a Senior Manager, Innovation and Choice to lead the development and execution of a bold, high-impact agenda around the organization’s forward-thinking policy agenda centered on choice, accountability, and innovation in education. 

As Senior Manager of Innovation and Choice, you will focus on two core pillars: creating the schools of tomorrow (Innovation) and expanding family access to high-quality options (Choice). You will:

• Craft state and federal policy, supporting our commitment to advancing bold and innovative education policies.
• Strengthen partnerships with coalitions, advocacy groups, and stakeholders to expand the organization’s reach and impact.
• Partner with experts in implementation and monitoring to create frameworks for policymakers.

• Support the organization’s initiatives to engage governors, gubernatorial candidates, and state leaders in advancing bold education reforms. 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Policy Leadership and Strategy

• Lead a forward-looking policy agenda that advances innovation and expands access to high-quality school options for families.
• Develop compelling federal and state policy proposals, legislative language, and advocacy strategies that remove outdated barriers and support effective models of teaching and learning.
• Partner with DFER’s state and national teams to ensure policy strategies are coordinated, actionable, and tied to meaningful improvements for students.

Research, Insights, and Thought Leadership

• Produce impactful research, reports, and briefs that strengthen Democratic leadership on innovation and school choice.
• Conduct rigorous analysis to identify policy gaps, highlight system inefficiencies, and surface effective solutions that improve student outcomes.
• Translate emerging trends into timely recommendations and rapid-response insights for policymakers and advocates.

Advocacy and Influence

• Position DFER as a leading national voice on expanding high-quality school options and fostering innovation.
• Equip and advise congressional offices, governors, state legislators, and candidates as they champion forward-thinking education reforms.
• Build and sustain strong relationships with diverse education leaders, coalition partners, and community voices to advance shared priorities.

Technical Assistance and Strategic Support

• Provide expert policy design and technical support to accelerate the passage and implementation of effective legislation.
• Collaborate with Communications and Development teams to elevate DFER’s ideas, strengthen partnerships, and grow broader support for innovation in public education.
• Work closely with executive and state teams to ensure progress from policy design to adoption, implementation, and continuous improvement.

WHO WE ARE 

Democrats for Education Reform (DFER) is a national political organization that supports elected Democrats and candidates for office who seek to expand policies and practices that work well for America’s students and confront those that do not. We prioritize students and families, especially low-income students and students of color who should be better served by our country’s public education system. 

DFER partner Education Reform Now Advocacy (ERNA) is an advocacy group that advances education reform measures through empowering community leaders to support our legislative and political advocacy work. ERNA keeps constant pressure on legislators to champion high-quality public education. 

DFER partner Education Reform Now (ERN) is a nonpartisan think tank that promotes increased resources and innovative reforms in K-12 public education, particularly for students of color and students from low-income families. 

WHAT WE DO 

1. Support for Forward-Thinking Education Leaders — In an approach that is markedly different from our peers and partners in the field, DFER engages directly with candidates and elected officials to empower them to advocate for education policies that focus foremost on serving students. Our partner organization, Education Reform Now, does work that involves policy research, analysis and education that helps policy makers at all levels understand complex education issues and make informed decisions. 

2. Informing the Education Debate — Our coalition work reflects the breadth of our policy priorities. We work collaboratively with organizations and our community networks to create an education system that serves and is held accountable to all students and families.

3. Targeted Interventions and Rapid Response — DFER’s reach, from the most local district relationships to state and federal policymakers, enables us to respond quickly to the changing landscape and policy trends. Activities vary significantly from project to project and may include training, policy analysis, public engagement, electoral and issue advocacy, and policy guidance for elected officials and local advocates.

COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION

Democrats for Education Reform welcomes applications from all, and strongly encourages women, people of color, people with disabilities, immigrants, refugees & LGBTQ people to apply for this position. We are committed to maximizing the diversity of our organization and recruiting a team that reflects the diversity of the students we serve. 

The ideal candidate will possess the following qualifications and skills:

• 5-7 years of experience in education policy, with a demonstrated focus on charter schools, school choice, teacher policy, or education entrepreneurship. Experience tracking emerging models and successful reforms across states and incorporating lessons into policy strategy is strongly preferred.
• Stakeholder engagement: Strong existing relationships and demonstrated success in building and maintaining relationships with key policymakers, and coalitions to influence policy and legislative outcomes. Strong ability to work in coalition to advance shared policy goals and expand influence at the federal and state level.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to translate complex policy ideas into compelling, accessible language tailored to diverse audiences (from policymakers to parents). Ability to develop long-term strategies and translate them into actionable plans that achieve measurable outcomes.
• Superior research and analytical skills, with the ability to interpret complex data and research and apply insights to advance policy priorities.
• Commitment to Equity: A demonstrated commitment to advancing educational equity and excellence for all students.
• A postgraduate degree in public policy, education, or a related field is preferred, but not required for candidates with an exceptional record of experience.

Please apply as soon as possible, even if you are not available to start immediately. All applications are held in strict confidence.  References will be requested in a later stage of the selection process.  Applicants must be legally authorized to work for any employer in the United States and will be required to submit proof of eligibility. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa at this time.

The base salary range for this position is $100k-$120k.  DFER is proud to offer excellent benefits: health, vision, and dental coverage; flexible spending plan; life insurance; short- and long-term disability insurance; 401K plan with a match plan; flexible spending/benefits plan; paid family leave; paid time off (vacation, sick time, floating holidays, and all National holidays).