Chief Policy and Program Officer - EdVoice

EdVoice is a 501(c)(4) nonprofit education advocacy organization reshaping public education in California so that students from low-income communities have futures filled with opportunity. More than 60% of California’s 5.8 million public school students are low-income. The sobering reality is that most perform at about half the level of their more affluent peers across key indicators such as reading, math, and college readiness.

Clearly, the state’s 175-year-old public education system is not meeting the needs of all students. Achieving the kind of systemic change necessary to address the scale of the problem requires bold, coordinated action at the state level.

Together, EdVoice and its sister organization, EdVoice Institute , a 501(c)(3), drive scalable policy changes for the children of California. EdVoice Institute develops and advances evidence-based policy solutions to improve learning statewide alongside coalition partners. EdVoice leads the lobbying and campaigning to get those policies passed. EdVoice also provides strategic political contributions through its EdVoice for the Kids PAC to leaders who prioritize the needs of students from low-income communities.

This dual approach is unique among education policy groups in California and has already proven successful. Since relaunching in 2022, EdVoice has championed transformative early literacy policy changes that will uplift reading outcomes for millions of students. This includes universal screening for reading difficulties in all K-2 classrooms and statewide adoption of evidence-based reading instruction and materials. In addition, both organizations have influenced legislation to place more qualified teachers in high-needs schools.

EdVoice Institute has developed a comprehensive agenda of policy recommendations across five key pillars that—if passed and effectively implemented—will transform the education system by 2040. To attain this vision, our team needs a strategic, execution-focused policy leader who deeply understands school systems and is willing to go above and beyond to reshape public education in California.

EdVoice and the EdVoice Institute are seeking a highly ambitious and enthusiastic education expert with a strong passion for state policy and implementation to serve as their Chief Policy & Program Officer (CPPO). This role goes beyond advocating for impactful policies. This role is identifying transformative solutions and helping them actually turn into law. We are searching for a leader with a strong understanding of the education landscape and an urgent drive to identify and implement the most compelling statewide solutions.

The CPPO will play a key role in developing and advancing evidence-based policy ideas, drafting policy recommendations, and researching promising initiatives. Additionally, they will build meaningful coalitions, drive successful legislative strategies, support getting bills passed, and help ensure policies are implemented effectively in California schools and classrooms.

• Lead EdVoice Institute’s policy strategy, identifying the highest impact, research-backed policy solutions that expand academic success and opportunity for underserved students
• Continuously monitor and evaluate California, national, and comparative state education policies; research agencies such as the State Board of Education, Commission on Teacher Credentialing, and County Offices of Education, assessing best practices, implementation challenges, and emerging trends to inform recommendations
• Manage a portfolio of several big issues at a time, at varying stages of development, and prepare synthesized reports, briefings, and recommendations that guide decision-making in Sacramento and statewide
• Publish documents, briefs, and reports, and guide the writing of legislation, synthesizing complex information into clear reports and tools for sustainable implementation
• Develop a system to analyze all California education policies annually, determine which align most closely with EdVoice Institute’s policy agenda, and prioritize those for advocacy efforts