Advocacy & Mobilization Manager

Position: Advocacy & Mobilization Manager - King County

Salary Range: $62,444.00-$73,463.00

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Reports To: External Affairs Officer

AGENCY SUMMARY:

BrightSpark Early Learning Services has been at the forefront of the early learning landscape for over 30 years, ensuring that all children have equitable access to safe, engaging, and positive early learning experiences that promote school readiness and lifetime success. With a staff of over 140 and a budget of $60 million (99% publicly funded), BrightSpark Early Learning Services provides a broad array of services for families and childcare providers so that they, in turn, can support the development and well-being of our children.

OPPORTUNITY:

The Advocacy & Mobilization Manager will be responsible for BrightSpark’s work relating to early learning policy, community-led advocacy, and systems change. As one of the largest early learning services organizations in the state, BrightSpark holds rich potential to offer insight, data, a commitment to racial equity, and a depth of relationships that makes the agency a powerful partner and leader in building an early learning system where all children can thrive. This position will guide BrightSpark in engaging various levels of government (local, state, and federal) and elevate the voices and experiences of those most impacted by systems of oppression.

The ideal candidate will have a deep passion for social justice and equity for all children, relationship-building skills, and strengths in cultural relevance, problem-solving, and engaging the community in BrightSpark’s work. The individual will have a history of engaging with elected officials, government agencies, and coalitions to build connections for investment to achieve transformative changes to the early learning system. They will hold a deep commitment to racial equity that manifests in their work and personal ethic.

The Advocacy & Mobilization Manager will be a part of a team that will include one other Advocacy & Mobilization Manager - Pierce County, and a contract lobbyist when needed. This position will also support and mentor staff and volunteers across the agency as needed.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Advocacy & Mobilization Manager - King County reports to the External Affairs Officer. They serve as a member of the Managers team in leadership circles of the organization.

Accountable for:

• Advocacy Leadership: Support in the development and lead the execution of the organization’s overall strategy for building deeper public investments and needed policy changes in early learning and positioning the agency within structures of power for the ultimate benefit of community-driven advocacy efforts.
• Policy Development & Monitoring: Work with the leadership team, external affairs committee of the board, communities, families, child care providers, and agency programs to develop data-driven policy and provide analysis on existing and emerging policies to guide the agency’s campaigns. Participate in stakeholder processes and negotiations to advance advocacy priorities, engage with elected officials on behalf of BrightSpark, and manage and guide the work of a contract lobbyist, when needed, to gain the necessary political support for our priorities.
• Coalition & Partnership Building: Represent the agency at critical coalition spaces, work with agency staff to ensure informed participation at community meetings and coalition spaces, and develop and nurture connections with critical community partners at the local, state, and national levels. Act as Co-Lead of the King County Early Learning Coalition and support in the leadership, convening, budget management, and oversight.
• Community Engagement & Organizing: Develop and support community participation in the legislative process. Guide the creation of educational opportunities for staff, community members, and external partners to build a strong community advocacy analysis. Guide the creation of community events and spaces for dialogue to inform the work of BrightSpark and our public partners.
• Reporting, Analysis, & Evaluation: Develop reporting methods and KPIs with the Advocacy Team to measure the effectiveness, reach, and impact of the Advocacy Program. Create opportunities to evaluate the program for the purpose of building stronger cases of support for funders and supporters.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES:

Minimum Qualifications

• 5+ years of advocacy experience in local government–specifically county, city, and local municipalities–across various major policy & advocacy areas including policy development, community mobilization, and/or lobbying.
• Experience working in coalitions and building partnerships across organizations.
• Experience in facilitating group conversations and processes will be considered an asset.
• Knowledge of King County communities, advocacy efforts, and governance bodies.
• Demonstrated understanding of community-driven advocacy efforts and ability to align antiracism values with the strategy and execution of community engagement and mobilization activities.
• Strong background in advocacy, campaigning, and relationship building. Ability to interpret data with a racial equity lens to inform policy/campaign changes and positions.
• A demonstrated commitment to diversity and inclusion, valuing diverse perspectives and encouraging contributions from all team members.
• Experience inspiring and influencing community members, colleagues, and government partners.
• Strong public speaking and presentation skills.
• Politically astute and tactful; attentive to the perspectives and competing interests of various internal and external stakeholders.

COMPETENCIES:

• Core Competencies -
  • Mission-driven: Demonstrates commitment to the mission and values of the mission.
  • Equity mindset: Demonstrates the values of anti-racist; fosters an inclusive environment that facilitates diversity.
  • Communication: Uses skillful written and oral communication with internal staff, teams, and community served; demonstrates empathy and listening.
  • Adaptability: Adapts and responds to change; proactively seeks opportunities to be supportive of change that serves our mission
  • Ownership and quality of work: Manages own work, and work of teams when relevant, ensuring delivery of successful outcomes.
• Leadership Competencies -
  • Decision-making:Structures and facilitates decision-making processes; makes decisions responsibly to improve organizational health and impact; gathers and weighs all sorts of data (qualitative, quantitative, historical, etc.)
  • Supports the development and motivation of others: Actively supports the development and motivation of others to maximize individual, team and agency impact.
  • Continuous- improvement mindset:Identifies strategies to improve organization’s impact; sets course and drives implementation.

COMPENSATION:

• Salary Range: $62,444.00-$73,463.00
• FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
• This is a full-time salaried position requiring work during BrightSpark Early Learning Services Business hours, Monday through Friday from 8:30 am-5pm and requiring a willingness to work some evenings and weekends.

BrightSpark will determine the specific salary for the successful candidate based on factors including, but not limited to, budget available, prior experience, skill, and education as they relate to the position’s qualifications and internal racial equity. The posted salary range reflects just one component of our total compensation package.

Other components of the total compensation package may include participation in group life, health and dental insurance, retirement plan, wellness program(s), paid time off, and paid holidays.

BENEFITS:

BrightSpark Early Learning Services’ benefits package includes employer-paid top-tier medical, dental, and vision insurance plans for employees, 21 days of PTO per year in addition to 11 paid holidays, 3 paid floating holidays, birthday holiday, and one week-long office closure at year-end, Refresh Fridays in July (BrightSpark Early Learning Services Closure Days), flexible work environment, employer-paid life insurance, short-term disability/illness leave accrual, and 401k with 3% employer match.

WORK LOCATION:

• This position is a Hybrid / Community.
• Hybrid positions at BrightSpark require at least two days in the office per week. These days may change based on individual position and department needs.
• BrightSpark Early Learning Services employees in all types of work positions (hybrid, community, etc.) must attend training, meetings, events, or other work commitments at various BrightSpark Early Learning Services office locations or off-site locations in Washington State, including the New Employee Orientation in Kent, Washington.

EQUAL EQUITY EMPLOYER:

BrightSpark Early Learning Services is an equal opportunity employer, and we value diversity among our staff. We strongly encourage people of color, immigrants and refugees, people from the LGBTQ community, people with disabilities, and people from other historically marginalized groups to apply.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION & QUESTIONS

• To learn more about BrightSpark Early Learning Services, please visit BrightSpark.org
• BrightSpark Early Learning Services is a grant-funded nonprofit organization. This and all positions are contingent on grant funding being in place and can end based on the expiration of funding.