Senior Manager of
Political Strategy
Los Angeles, California

Location: Los Angeles, California

Reports to: Chief Growth Officer

THE OPPORTUNITY

Our Turn isn’t here to improve education. Our Turn is here to fight for education justice. Education justice looks like students exerting decision making power for their education. It is students and families elevating what works for them, and resources flowing to support their aspirations. It is students serving as the evidence base. It is the centering of Black, Indigenous, and students of color in data, curriculum, culture, communications, and funding.  Our Turn activates the next generation of diverse civic leaders who know what’s possible for all students because they’ve built power in their communities to dismantle inequities through grassroots organizing. In the past few months, our work and members have been recognized by Fast Company, Buzzfeed, The 74 Million, and more. 

 

We are hiring a Senior Manager of Political Strategy to develop and direct the local political strategy to build student power in Los Angeles Unified School District, win youth-led campaigns, and increase Our Turn’s brand awareness in Los Angeles. The Senior Manager of Political Strategy will grow a network of youth activists and key stakeholders who are responsive and engaged with campaigns and issues related to the LA Student Agenda, to empower young people in leading the way toward a more equitable education system. 

 

WHY WORK FOR OUR TURN

We approach our work with the audacity of believing that students have the power to rewrite the rules of education in our country and the humility to know that thousands have come before us in this fight. We know that young people, especially young people of color, have been shut out by decision makers who shape their educational experience and respond by providing transformational leadership development and grassroots organizing experience that flip the traditional power dynamic on its head. Our team is highly collaborative and works with urgency, passion, and — most importantly — a lot of joy. We are looking for strategic, entrepreneurial social justice activists to join us and continue the fight for education justice. 

We believe that supporting, developing, and retaining our team is the most critical investment we can make for achieving bold outcomes. To ensure that our team is prepared and excited to do their job with excellence every day, we offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes: a performance-based culture with generous paid time off; flexible working environment; opportunities for internal and external professional development; health, dental, and vision insurance; retirement plan with an employer match.

 

YOUR GAMEPLAN 

Political Strategy 

  • Shape a 2-3 year coalition vision, supported by a 1-3 year action plan based on political windows, local demands/policy agenda, and issue choice centered on the LA Student Agenda
  • Identify and build relationships with key influencers in LA and state level education, to garner insight and drive collective action
  • Conduct ongoing research on local and state-level policies and build org-wide knowledge on how those policies align with the LA Student Agenda
  • Lead members in creating and executing campaigns to influence elections and organize around the L.A. Student Agenda, which may include c4 strategies

 

Coalition and Campaign Strategy 

  • Develop plans and strategies for student selected issues to advance wins related to policy, practice, elections, or other levers for system change, with an initial focus on the 2022 LAUSD board elections and new LAUSD Superintendent
  • Train organizers to identify issues with attainable goals through engaging leadership base in participatory research, political education, and digital organizing
  • Spearhead local messaging strategy, as represented in ongoing and campaign-specific communications, by collaborating with local Communications Fellows and National Communications Team on talking points, press releases, reports, social media, and other communications materials as necessary 

Recruitment and Base Building 

  • Partner with Organizing Associate to shape a recruitment and turnout strategy including outreach activity, leadership development, large-scale actions, and digital communications
  • Work with digital organizing fellow & communications team to support youth storytelling, youth-to-youth engagement, and ongoing cultivation & stewardship strategies
  • Accountable for meeting ambitious metrics around student recruitment and engagement, which call for us to grow our supporters list 4x and youth leaders 3x 
  • Responsible for ensuring that organizing & campaign data is up-to-date, and accurate

 

Management and Leadership 

  • Manage a team including an Organizing Associate, Fellows, and volunteers, by developing work plans and a yearly professional development plan to evaluate performance
  • Collaborate with Growth and Communications teams to shape a community of changemakers where young people can access platforms for elevated leadership and voice
  • Collaborate with development team to develop and execute local fundraising plan, with a goal of fully funding the LA coalition through local revenue
  • Provide support on executing national organization initiatives and processes 

QUALIFICATIONS 

  • Demonstrated impact as a political change agent, as exhibited by designing and leading a full campaign or program through lobbying, electoral work, grassroots organizing, achievement in advocacy, or leadership in an elected official’s office
  • Strong knowledge of LAUSD, as exhibited by prior success in advocacy, lobbying, policy, organizing, and/or fundraising work that involved the district’s priorities and/or personnel 
  • The desire to work smart, hard, with passion and love, and a deep hunger for advancing social justice through organizing in partnership with young people
  • Demonstrated ability to build strong relationships with diverse stakeholders and communities that result in measurable outcomes
  • Ability to work autonomously and as part of an innovative team
  • Ability to write and speak clearly and persuasively, including speaking in small and large group settings
  • Complete alignment with Our Turn’s Mission, Student Agenda, LA Student Agenda, and Theory of Change 
  • Able to work with leaders across race, class, and gender to align different interests towards a common goal of building community power to achieve student- and equity-focused systems change
  • Flexibility to work evenings and some weekends 
  • Consistent access to a car and a valid driver’s license 
  • Must be willing to work flexible hours that will include time outside of the traditional work day and weekends with advanced notice 

STUDENT AGENDA 

Read more about our student agenda for education equity here. 

COMPENSATION 

Salary range for this position is $55,000-68,000 and a comprehensive benefits package is included. 

 

COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY 

Our Turn encourages individuals of all identities and backgrounds to apply for this position and is committed to recruiting a team that reflects the diversity of our student movement (BIPOC, members of the LGBTQIA+ community, first generation college students). Our Turn does not discriminate against any applicant for employment because of race, color, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, nation of origin, disability, age, marital status, military status, or parenthood. 

 

HOW TO APPLY 

Fill out an application and upload your resume. Applications will be accepted until the position has been filled.  Please email [email protected] with any questions or requests for accommodations. We’re happy to help! Please visit Our Turn’s website (www.itsourturn.org) for more information.