Community & Legislative Advocacy Manager

ABOUT KANSAS CITY SCHOLARS: KC Scholars (dba Great Jobs KC) (www.greatjobskc.org) is a 501(c)(3) college scholarship and tuition-free job training program. Its goal is to support persistence and increase the college completion rate for low- and modest-income students across the six-county, bi-state service region and secure family-sustaining careers. The organization was designed to change thousands of individual lives and transform the region by preparing the local future workforce and contributing to the regional economy. The KC Scholars Scholarship Program awards traditional college scholarships to high school juniors, adult learner scholarships to adults 18 years and older, and college savings match awards to high school freshmen. The Great Jobs KC program provides tuition assistance to approved career training programs in high-demand industries such as construction, healthcare, information technology, logistics/warehousing, manufacturing and service careers. With the support of Great Jobs KC, adults 17+ and older can learn the skills needed in one year or less to secure a job with family-sustaining wages. Great Jobs KC supports all its Scholars throughout their college or job training and into their first year of employment.  
 
ABOUT THE ROLE
 
Reports to: Sr. Director of Admissions and Enrollment
Location: Kansas City, MO, Hybrid
Status: Exempt, Full-time
Salary: Annual salary based on experience
Benefits: Medical, dental, vision, STD, LTD, Life Insurance, PTO, Holidays, leave program, 401k including employer contribution, and others
Operating hours: 8:30 am to 5:00 pm CST
 
Key Performance Indicators: 

• Ensure that at least 80% of the team members report increased understanding and awareness of relevant legislative issues through a survey.
• Over the next year, administer two assessments to evaluate the impact of enacted policies and regulations on our community engagement and admissions, enrollment, and programmatic strategies.
• Plan and execute a minimum of one event within the next fiscal year, inviting leaders to discuss pertinent issues related to education and workforce development and other local community issues.
• Set a goal to train at least 90% of the team within the next six months and measure the impact of the training through pre- and post-assessments of participant knowledge and skills.

1. Increase Local Legislative Awareness:
   • Research and analyze the local legislative landscape regarding K-12, higher education, workforce development, and related policies.
   • Research and disseminate regular updates and briefings to the Sr. Director of Admissions and Enrollment and Chief Program Manager highlighting key bills, policies, and regulations impacting our mission.
2. Advocacy Network Building:
   • Cultivate and maintain relationships with local advocacy organizations, community leaders, and policymakers to build a strong advocacy network.
   • Collaborate with partners to develop and implement advocacy campaigns and initiatives that support our organizational goals.
3. Community Engagement:
   • Engage with community members, stakeholders, and partners to identify key issues and concerns related to education and workforce development.
   • Organize community forums, town halls, and outreach events to facilitate dialogue and gather input for advocacy efforts.
4. Policy Analysis and Impact Assessment:
   • Monitor the implementation and impact of enacted policies and regulations on our community engagement, admissions, enrollment, and programmatic strategies.
   • Conduct assessments and analysis to identify opportunities and challenges arising from legislative changes and propose strategic recommendations to address them.
5. Advocacy Campaigns and Events:
   • Plan, coordinate, and execute advocacy campaigns, events, and initiatives to raise awareness and mobilize support for priority issues.
   • Organize legislative visits, hearings to advocate for policies that advance our mission and serve the needs of our community.
6. Training and Capacity Building:
   • In partnership with subject matter experts, and internal resources, develop and deliver training sessions and workshops to empower staff and stakeholders with advocacy skills and knowledge.
   • Provide guidance and support to team members engaging in advocacy activities, ensuring alignment with organizational objectives.

• Bachelor’s degree in political science, public policy, social work, or related field. Master’s degree preferred.

• Minimum of 3 years of experience in community organizing, legislative advocacy, or public policy or related.
• Strong understanding of local government structures, legislative processes, and policy development.
• Experience in higher education or workforce development advocacy is a plus.
• Experience working in a fast-paced, goal-oriented environment with the ability to set and meet clear deadlines.

• Passion for social justice, equity, and improving educational opportunities for all.
• Excellent communication, networking, and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to be proactive and consider the bigger picture.
• Exceptional judgment that augments an ability to be solutions-oriented and then act appropriately to solve problems.
• Strong organizational skills, well-developed process skills, attention to detail, and ability to multi-task in a rapidly scaling organization.
• Excellent verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills, including ability to work with large diverse, multi-generational audiences.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Power Point, and Excel).

• Ability to lift up to 15 lbs.
• Ability to work in mobile and remote/field environments.
• Ability to travel from and to work, and weekly visits to high schools within the 6-county region as assigned by supervisor.
• Ability to work 20% of the workday outside traditional office hours each week.
• Ability to interact with others via technology, face-to-face and collectively.