Manager, K-12 State Policy & Implementation Strategy

ROLE:
Manager, K-12 State Policy & Implementation Strategy

LOCATION:

Remote (U.S.)

POSITION TYPE:
Exempt, Full-time

TRAVEL REQUIREMENT: 15%

START DATE:

December 02, 2026

REPORTS TO:

Vice President, K-12 Policy

Democrats for Education Reform (DFER) is seeking a Senior Manager, State Policy & Implementation Strategy to lead our state policy agenda and translate that policy into practice through playbooks, frameworks, and direct engagement. This role is built around three core strengths: substantive state policy experience, ideally including time inside a state Department of Education, the ability to design and enable policy for state-level implementation, and qualitative research skills that ground policy recommendations in the perspectives of practitioners, families, and policymakers themselves.

You will:

• Own and advance the organization’s state policy agenda, including translating and designing policy to advance the organization's education reform agenda.
• Develop playbooks, toolkits, and guidance documents that help state legislators and agency staff design and adopt effective K-12 policy.
• Conduct targeted qualitative research — interviews, focus groups, and stakeholder conversations — to inform and strengthen policy recommendations.
• Support the organization’s initiatives to engage governors, gubernatorial candidates, and state leaders in advancing bold education reforms aligned with our ambitious and bold policy agenda that centers innovation, accountability, and choice..

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.

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.

• Develop and advance the organization’s state policy agenda focusing primarily…