Public Affairs Program Manager

Job Description

Summary:  The Public Affairs Program Manager will be responsible for overseeing programs, activities, and administrative functions for the Stride, Inc. Public Affairs department in support of the Company’s public policy, advocacy, and government relations objectives.  The ideal candidate is someone with strong skills, confidence, and talents, and a desire to work in a highly experienced and professional government affairs operation.  Candidates should possess a strong commitment to the Company’s mission and to expanding education options and opportunities for all learners, pre-K to adult.

This is a role ideally suited for an energetic self-starter who enjoys public policy and advocacy, and who is ready to work in a fast-paced, collaborative team environment of political professionals. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:   Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties.

• Manage short-term and long-term projects to support the Company’s policy and advocacy goals and provide key administrative functions across the Public Affairs team;
• Conduct research projects for timely policy and advocacy needs at the federal and state levels;
• Draft and distribute newsletters, policy briefs, advocacy documents, presentations, and other internal and external communications materials;
• Serve as a department liaison to internal and external stakeholders; interface and collaborate on cross-functional projects;
• Serve as a Public Affairs representative at conferences, seminars, webinars, symposiums, and other policy and education events;
• Support the development and growth of relationships with external organizations and thought leaders;
• Secure speakers and guests for conferences, school graduations, and other events;
• Support program and events planning and management.

Supervisory Responsibilities: This position has no formal supervisory responsibilities.

Certificates and Licenses: None required.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:   

• Three (3) to Five (5) years of full-time program / project management experience, experience supporting executives or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Strong and persuasive written and verbal communication skills
• Desire to work in a team-oriented environment and support all areas of the department operations
• Excellent organizational and multi-tasking skills with a strong attention to detail
• Project management skills and ability to easily pivot between multiple projects and assignments
• Self-directed, able to work independently
• Experience developing presentations, documents, spreadsheets, and other written material
• Ability to work with a variety of people across all levels and departments, including Company employees, contractors, and external influencers
• Ability to prioritize and meet deadlines
• Flexibility to work outside of standard business hours
• Experience with multiple web-based platforms and tools
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Power Point, MS 365; Web proficiency
• Ability to travel approximately 20% of the time, and extended time as necessary.
• Ability to clear required background check

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:  

• Bachelor’s degree from a four-year college or university.
• Prior experience working in government, political campaigns, government affairs agencies, public policy organizations, or equivalent.
• Strong understanding of public policy and state government functions.
• A deep commitment to the causes of school choice, parent empowerment in education, and expanding opportunities for all students.

Work Environment:  The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• This position is virtual and open to residents of the 50 states and D.C.

• Summary:  The Public Affairs Program Manager will be responsible for overseeing programs, activities, and administrative functions for the Stride, Inc. Public Affairs department in support of the Company’s public policy, advocacy, and government relations objectives.  The ideal candidate is someone with strong skills, confidence, and talents, and a desire to work in a highly experienced and professional government affairs operation.  Candidates should possess a strong commitment to the Company’s mission and to expanding education options and opportunities for all learners, pre-K to adult.

  This is a role ideally suited for an energetic self-starter who enjoys public policy and advocacy, and who is ready to work in a fast-paced, collaborative team environment of political professionals. 

  ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:   Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties.

• Manage short-term and long-term projects to support the Company’s policy and advocacy goals and provide key administrative functions across the Public Affairs team;
• Conduct research projects for timely policy and advocacy needs at the federal and state levels;
• Draft and distribute newsletters, policy briefs, advocacy documents, presentations, and other internal and external communications materials;
• Serve as a department liaison to internal and external stakeholders; interface and collaborate on cross-functional projects;
• Serve as a Public Affairs representative at conferences, seminars, webinars, symposiums, and other policy and education events;
• Support the development and growth of relationships with external organizations and thought leaders;
• Secure speakers and guests for conferences, school graduations, and other events;
• Support program and events planning and management.

• Supervisory Responsibilities: This position has no formal supervisory responsibilities.

  Certificates and Licenses: None required.

  REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:   

• Three (3) to Five (5) years of full-time program / project management experience, experience supporting executives or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Strong and persuasive written and verbal communication skills
• Desire to work in a team-oriented environment and support all areas of the department operations
• Excellent organizational and multi-tasking skills with a strong attention to detail
• Project management skills and ability to easily pivot between multiple projects and assignments
• Self-directed, able to work independently
• Experience developing presentations, documents, spreadsheets, and other written material
• Ability to work with a variety of people across all levels and departments, including Company employees, contractors, and external influencers
• Ability to prioritize and meet deadlines
• Flexibility to work outside of standard business hours
• Experience with multiple web-based platforms and tools
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Power Point, MS 365; Web proficiency
• Ability to travel approximately 20% of the time, and extended time as necessary.
• Ability to clear required background check

• DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:  

• Bachelor’s degree from a four-year college or university.
• Prior experience working in government, political campaigns, government affairs agencies, public policy organizations, or equivalent.
• Strong understanding of public policy and state government functions.
• A deep commitment to the causes of school choice, parent empowerment in education, and expanding opportunities for all students.

• Work Environment:  The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• This position is virtual and open to residents of the 50 states and D.C.

• Compensation & Benefits: Stride, Inc. considers a person’s education, experience, and qualifications, as well as the position’s work location, expected quality and quantity of work, required travel (if any), external market and internal value when determining a new employee’s salary level. Salaries will differ based on these factors, the position’s level and expected contribution, and the employee’s benefits elections. Offers will typically be in the bottom half of the range.

• We anticipate this position will pay a salary of $64,946.00 to $86,595.00. This salary is not guaranteed, as an individual’s compensation can vary based on several factors. These factors include, but are not limited to, geographic location, experience, training, education, and local market conditions. Eligible employees may receive a bonus. Stride offers a robust benefits package for eligible employees that can include health benefits, retirement contributions, and paid time off.

• The above job is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of duties and standards of the position. Incumbents will follow any other instructions, and perform any other related duties, as assigned by their supervisor.  All employment is “at-will” as governed by the law of the state where the employee works.  It is further understood that the “at-will” nature of employment is one aspect of employment that cannot be changed except in writing and signed by an authorized officer. 

The above job is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of duties and standards of the position. Incumbents will follow any other instructions, and perform any other related duties, as assigned by their supervisor.  All employment is “at-will” as governed by the law of the state where the employee works.  It is further understood that the “at-will” nature of employment is one aspect of employment that cannot be changed except in writing and signed by an authorized officer. 

Job Type

The above job is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of duties and standards of the position. Incumbents will follow any other instructions, and perform any other related duties, as assigned by their supervisor. All employment is “at-will” as governed by the law of the state where the employee works.  It is further understood that the “at-will” nature of employment is one aspect of employment that cannot be changed except in writing and signed by an authorized officer.

If you are a job seeker with a disability and require a reasonable accommodation to apply for one of our jobs, you can request the appropriate accommodation by contacting stridecareers@k12.com.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

Stride, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants receive consideration for employment based on merit without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state, or local law. Stride, Inc. complies with all legally required affirmative action obligations. Applicants will not be discriminated against because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant.