Contact Tim Lee Tim.Lee@minncan.

org

Executive Director of MinnCAN: The Minnesota Campaign for Achievement Now We are hiring the executive director of MinnCAN and seek an exceptional individual to lead the organization. MinnCAN is the second state branch of 50CAN: The 50-State Campaign for Achievement Now, a nonprofit advocacy organization that recruits and supports local leaders who build citizen movements in their states to ensure that every child has access to a great public school. We believe that great schools change everything. Our model is built around the conviction that all politics is local but locals shouldnt have to start from scratch. We identify education reform leaders in each state and then provide them with the tools needed to build an effective advocacy movement grounded in three fundamental principles:

Greater Choices Our calcified education system is too often resistant to the innovations of educators, the desires of parents and the realities of the global economy. Expanding options for families injects innovation, competition and a grassroots level of accountability into the system. Greater Accountability Over the past 20 years we have made significant strides in developing rigorous state standards and aligned student assessment systems. We must now use the information collected through these systems to drive instruction and curriculum, expand public awareness of school performance, ground teacher evaluations in student results and close chronically failing schools. Greater Flexibility For greater choices and accountability to translate into greater student achievement, our educators need greater flexibility to run their districts and schools. This means expanding alternative pathways to serving as a teacher or a principal and providing principals with greater control over staffing, instructional strategies and budget.
MinnCANs advocacy model involves three key components:

Research & Policy MinnCAN produces original research that marries in-depth analysis of state-level public education data in each state with the latest national education policy research. Communications & Mobilization MinnCAN creates a movement of informed citizens through media work, e-advocacy, publications, partnerships with like-minded civic and community groups, phone banks, petitions and rallies.

Advocacy for Policy Change MinnCAN teams with local leaders to develop and enact concrete, meaningful education reforms through both legislative and administrative action.
Position The executive director is responsible for bringing the winning 50CAN model to life in Minnesotas unique political and policy landscape. Working in collaboration with the MinnCAN board and the 50CAN national team, the executive director drives statewide policy campaigns that seek fundamental changes to ensure all Minnesota children have access to great schools. The executive director manages two additional Minnesota team members, a government relations & policy manager and a public affairs manager, to complete the three-person MinnCAN campaign team. The executive director serves both as the leader of the Minnesota branch of 50CAN and as a member of 50CANs senior leadership team. Responsibilities Advocate-in-Chief: The executive director leads the effort to change state policy through legislative and administrative action by crafting and executing the organizations strategy and campaign plans. Local Fundraising: The executive director is the primary driver of the effort to secure state funding to ensure the long-term sustainability of the campaign and build upon the existing funding secured to date. Spokesperson: The executive director is the voice of the campaign in speeches, meetings, media outreach, and written communication across the state, effectively communicating complex policy arguments to a broad range of individuals and groups. Manager and Mentor: The director is the leader of the Minnesota team and serve as both a strong manager and mentor of the two other Minnesota team members.

The ideal candidate will have a successful track record running issue advocacy or political campaigns, possess a deep understanding of education policy, be extraordinarily entrepreneurial, and be absolutely dedicated to our mission of securing great schools for all through fundamental educational reforms. Salary is highly competitive and commensurate with experience. 50CAN offers a comprehensive benefits package. Interested candidates should send a cover letter and resume to tim.lee@minncan.org. 50CAN is an equal opportunity employer.