Director of District Partnerships, Education Rights Institute, School of Law

The Education Rights Institute (ERI) at the University of Virginia School of Law seeks a dynamic and collaborative Director of District Partnerships. The Director of District Partnerships will work under the direction of and closely with the Institute's Founding Director, Professor Kimberly Jenkins Robinson .

Launched in 2023 , ERI advances equal educational opportunity by engaging policymakers, K-12 educators, and families to support delivery of a high-quality public education in the United States. ERI accomplishes this goal by pursuing the following strategic priorities:

* Lead and amplify public discourse to advance equal educational opportunity and elevate the value of high-quality public schools for all.

* Equip educators and policymakers to recognize and close opportunity gaps by delivering a high-quality public education.

* Expand educators' and K-12 leaders' capacity to interpret and implement protections against discrimination based on race, color, and national origin.

* Grow ERI's impact by securing diverse funding streams and cultivating a coalition of students, families, educators, scholars, and donors that champion high-quality public schools.

The Institute does not represent individual clients in legal proceedings.

The Director of District Partnerships' responsibilities include:

* Responsibilities for Working with School Districts:

* Collaborate with the ERI team to develop and implement a new initiative to empower district and school leaders, educators, and staff to understand and improve implementation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VI) and other legal protections from discrimination based on race, color, and national origin.

* Develop and lead both in-person and online professional development opportunities for school districts around Title VI and other laws that protect students from race, color, and national origin discrimination.

* Attend conferences and meet in-person and virtually with policymakers, school district staff and leadership, educators, and families.

* Other Strategic Responsibilities:

* Collaborate with the ERI team to implement and refine ERI's strategic plan.

* Work with the ERI team to take advantage of new opportunities as they are presented.

* Research and Writing Responsibilities:

* Share in writing and editing responsibilities for reports, editorials, and other written content regarding Title VI and other protections against discrimination based on race, color, and national origin discrimination.

* Share responsibility for writing webinar scripts and recording video and webinar content.

* Research and analyze federal and/or state enforcement priorities and trends.

* Supervisory Responsibilities:

* Supervise ERI student research assistants.

* As ERI grows, this position may be asked to manage new staff.

* Other Duties as Assigned:

* All team members regularly pitch in to support fundraising; event planning; communications; and other areas of operations.

Required

Education and Experience:

* J.D. from an ABA approved law school or foreign equivalent.

* Be an active member of a state bar in good standing (by the start date of the position).

* Three or more years of post J.D. legal experience.

* Excellent analytical, research, and writing skills.

* Proficiency with standard office software.

Preferred Experience:

* Five or more years of experience working in the field of education law and policy or civil rights.

* Experience working with educators, school district leaders, and/or state and federal education leaders.

* Comfortable designing and making large and small group presentations.

* Top-notch interpersonal, project management, and organizational skills.

* Demonstrated ability to collaborate with other professionals to achieve common aims.

* First-rate oral communication skills.

* Ability to work diligently and efficiently in a fast-paced, detail-oriented environment.

This is a gift funded restricted position contingent on funding and performance. This position is available for an immediate start date.

This position will require the ability to travel domestically to partner with school districts, attend conferences, and collaborate with ERI partners.

This position…