What is the Role

The Director of Federal Government Affairs will serve as a key member of the Federal Advocacy team, helping to shape and advance the National Alliance’s federal policy agenda. This role is responsible for representing the charter school movement before Congress, federal agencies, and the executive branch, while supporting strategic political engagement. The position reports to the Senior Director of Federal Government Affairs and works closely with internal teams and external partners to build bipartisan support for charter schools.

What You’ll Do

You will:

• Represent the National Alliance and promote its priorities before Capitol Hill, federal agencies, and the executive branch
• Analyze and shape federal policy proposals that reflect political dynamics and advance the charter school community’s goals
• Monitor congressional activity—including hearings, markups, and legislation—and assess its relevance to charter schools
• Support advocacy efforts to advance pro-charter legislation and appropriations
• Coordinate with national policy partners and state/local advocacy groups to amplify our voice in Washington
• Represent the National Alliance in coalition meetings, congressional briefings, and other key forums
• Respond to requests for information and technical assistance from congressional offices and state charter organizations
• Collaborate with colleagues to execute a strategic political plan using the Charter School Action Fund (501(c)(4)) and partner organizations to grow congressional support

Who You Are

You are a government affairs leader with knowledge of federal policy and a commitment to expanding access to high-quality public education. You thrive in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment and bring insight, political acumen, and collaborative energy to your work.

• You have 7+ years of experience in federal government, legislative affairs, or public policy
• You have meaningful experience working on Capitol Hill or closely with congressional offices
• You understand the federal legislative and appropriations processes and can navigate them effectively in a bipartisan context
• You have a track record of meeting ambitious goals and driving policy outcomes
• You’re a communicator and relationship-builder, able to engage stakeholders across the political spectrum
• You’re comfortable working cross-functionally to achieve shared objectives
• You’re proactive, organized, and committed to expanding educational opportunity for all students
• You reside within an hour commute of Washington, DC -- while the National Alliance is a remote organization, this role will require frequent visits and meetings on or near Capitol Hill.

What We Offer

The National Alliance provides a sector-leading compensation and benefits package designed to support your well-being, growth, and work-life balance.

We cover 100% of employee medical, dental, and vision premiums, and 50% for spouses and dependents. Our Health Reimbursement Account (HRA) covers 100% of in-network medical deductibles, ensuring minimal out-of-pocket costs.

You’ll have access to:

• A 403(b) retirement plan with up to a 6% employer match after 90 days
• Automatic life insurance, short- and long-term disability coverage, and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA and DC-FSA)
• 12 weeks of fully paid parental leave
• 25 PTO days annually, plus all federal holidays and a week off at year-end
• 4-week paid sabbatical after 4 years of service

As a virtual-first organization, we offer:

• A monthly reimbursement for internet and cellular service
• A $500 home office setup stipend during your first 90 days

We are committed to offering a competitive and inclusive compensation structure. The anticipated starting salary for this role is $85,000–$110,000, commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Who We Are 

The National Alliance for Public Charter Schools believes that all families deserve high-quality public school options. Charter schools are independent public schools providing families with a new set of public school options. Each of these schools is developed to be a partnership between parents, teachers, and students.  

When given the option, parents are choosing to enroll their children in charter schools. In fact, the demand for charter schools is far outpacing the supply in most communities. What began as a small movement in a few states has grown to become a major force in education reform across the country. Through advocacy, research, and strategic communications, the National Alliance works to grow the number of high-quality charter schools available to all families, especially those who do not have access to high-quality public schools. 

WHAT IS THE ROLE

You are a key member of the Development team, responsible for acquiring, cultivating, and soliciting individual donors for the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools (501c3) and the related Charter School Action Fund (501c4). Reporting to the Vice President of Development, you will manage a portfolio of donors and prospects and generate approximately $2–$3 million in annual revenue.

You work closely with the Vice President of Development and senior leadership to shape donor strategy and grow the portfolio of high-value individual donors.

Operating in a fast-paced advocacy and political fundraising environment, this role requires adaptability, responsiveness, and a disciplined approach to moving donors through the giving cycle. The ideal candidate is a confident solicitor, creative thinker, and strategic relationship manager who can build long-term partnerships while driving immediate results.

You will play a central role in building a donor community that sustains and advances the charter school movement nationwide.

WHAT YOU'LL DO

Drive Individual Giving Revenue 

• Manage a portfolio of approximately 50–75 individual donors, leading regular outreach, meetings, and solicitations 

• Lead mid-, major, and political contribution asks, including time-sensitive solicitations tied to key moments 

• Identify and align donor investments with key advocacy and political opportunities 

• Partner with senior leadership on major donor strategy and high-level solicitations 

Individual Donor Pipeline Growth and Acquisition 

• Lead a strategy to identify, acquire, and grow a diverse pipeline of donors across c3 and c4, from new supporters to mid-level and major gift prospects 

• Conduct prospect research and qualification to surface new donors and tailor engagement 

• Build donor pathways that move individuals from initial engagement to repeat and upgraded giving 

• Strengthen small- and mid-level giving to consistently feed the major gifts pipeline 

• Own the direct mail strategy end-to-end including segmentation, messaging, testing, and performance analysis 

• Test and scale multi-channel donor acquisition and cultivation strategies, to expand and diversify the donor base 

Donor Strategy, Engagement, and Stewardship 

• Engage with donors and prospects through meetings, events, and personalized outreach  

• Create compelling proposals, briefings, and communications that connect donor interests to organizational priorities and impact 

• Develop and implement high-quality stewardship, including acknowledgements, impact reporting, and personalized outreach 

• Maintain disciplined moves management and accurate donor records in the CRM (Microsoft Dynamics) 

• Track engagement and giving trends, using data to refine strategy and improve the donor experience 

Board Engagement, Events, and Cross-Functional Collaboration 

• Partner with the VP to strengthen board engagement in individual giving 

• Plan and execute a range of donor events aligned to strategic goals 

• Collaborate with Development Operations to lead event execution, including logistics, messaging, and follow-up 

• Partner with communications, policy, and data teams to ensure clear, consistent and compelling donor messaging 

WHO YOU ARE

Experience

• You bring 7+ years of fundraising experience with a demonstrated track record securing five- and six-figure gifts from individuals
• You have experience managing a donor portfolio and successfully closing major gifts
• You have experience in mission-driven or political fundraising environments
• You have experience with donor acquisition strategies such as direct mail or digital campaigns
• You bring familiarity with charter schools, K–12 education, education reform, and/or policy or advocacy organizations

Skills and Approach

• You are confident and comfortable making direct and timely asks
• You are a compelling communicator who turns ideas and impact into donor communications that inspire giving
• You are a strong relationship builder who develops long-term donor partnerships
• You are a strategic thinker who identifies opportunities to increase donor engagement and giving levels
• You are able to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, remote environment
• You are highly organized with disciplined pipeline and CRM management
• You bring strong interpersonal and collaborative skills across teams

This position requires approximately 10–20% travel for donor meetings and events.

WHAT WE OFFER

The National Alliance for Public Charter Schools offers a sector-leading salary and benefits package. We cover 100% of an employee’s medical, dental, and vision premiums, and 50% for spouses and dependents, including an HRA to cover 100% of in-network medical deductibles. We also offer:

• 403(b) retirement account with up to a 6% match after 90 days of employment
• Automatic life insurance coverage, short- and long-term disability coverage, and FSA
• 12 weeks of fully paid parental leave
• 25 PTO days annually, plus every federal holiday and a week off at year-end
• Monthly reimbursement for internet and cellular service, plus a $500 home office setup stipend in your first 90 days

The anticipated starting salary range for this role is $85,000-$110,000, commensurate with experience and qualifications. 

WHO WE ARE

The National Alliance for Public Charter Schools believes that all families deserve high-quality public school options. Charter schools are independent public schools providing families with a new set of public school options. Each of these schools is developed to be a partnership between parents, teachers, and students.   

When given the option, parents are choosing to enroll their children in charter schools. In fact, the demand for charter schools is far outpacing the supply in most communities. What began as a small movement in a few states has grown to become a major force in education reform across the country. Through advocacy, research, and strategic communications, the National Alliance works to grow the number of high-quality charter schools available to all families, especially those who do not have access to high-quality public schools.  

WHAT IS THE ROLE

You are a key member of the Development team, responsible for managing a portfolio of foundation, corporate, and government funders for the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools (501c3) and the related Charter School Action Fund (501c4). Reporting to the Vice President of Development, you will secure and manage five- and six-figure investments and grow a portfolio that generates approximately $4–$5 million in annual revenue.

You serve as the organization’s lead grant strategist and writer, building deep relationships with funders, translating complex policy work into compelling proposals and reports, and ensuring a strong pipeline of sustainable institutional support. This role works collaboratively across development, finance, programs, policy, and data to align funding opportunities with organizational priorities.

You partner closely with the Vice President of Development and senior leadership to shape donor strategy and grow high-value funder relationships.

You will play a central role in building institutional partnerships that sustain and strengthen the charter school movement nationwide, while helping shape and execute a national institutional giving strategy. You will also serve as a key advisor and mentor across the team, strengthening overall fundraising capacity and performance.

WHAT YOU’LL DO

Institutional Fundraising Strategy & Portfolio Management

• Build, manage, and grow a portfolio of foundation, corporate, and government funders capable of five- and six-figure investments and/or multi-year grants
• Identify, qualify, and engage new foundation prospects aligned with the Alliance’s mission and strategic priorities
• Develop and execute tailored funding strategies for each funder, including cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship plans
• Manage the full lifecycle of institutional fundraising including prospecting, relationship development, proposal submission, reporting, and stewardship
• Maintain accurate funder records, opportunities, and deadlines in Microsoft Dynamics (CRM)

Grant Management & Writing

• Lead the development of high-quality grant proposals, concept notes, reports, and letters of inquiry for foundations, corporations, and government funders
• Craft compelling narratives that communicate impact, policy priorities, and national leadership in the charter school movement
• Collaborate with internal teams to prepare competitive proposals, LOIs, reports, and to manage finance, audit, and compliance requirements
• Monitor compliance expectations across all grants, including timely submission of reports, metrics tracking, financial reporting, and adherence to funder-specific guidelines

Corporate Partnerships & Sponsorship Strategy

• Lead corporate sponsorship revenue generation across the National Charter Schools Conference (NCSC), State Leaders Coalition (SLC), Alliance for Public Charter School Attorneys (APCSA), and related channels
• Build and manage a pipeline of corporate partners, leveraging conference relationships to secure renewals, deepen engagement, and grow multi-year investments
• Develop sponsorship opportunities that align corporate partners with National Alliance thought leadership, research, policy engagement, and national convenings
• Track performance against revenue targets, maintain clear pipeline visibility in Microsoft Dynamics (CRM), and identify opportunities to strengthen and expand the corporate portfolio

Donor Stewardship, Engagement, and Performance

• Develop and execute strategic cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship plans for institutional donors across the portfolio
• Ensure timely stewardship and reporting that demonstrates impact and strengthens long-term funder partnerships
• Partner with communications, policy, research, and leadership teams to develop compelling donor messaging and support institutional funder strategy
• Maintain disciplined moves management and accurate donor records in Microsoft Dynamics (CRM)
• Track portfolio performance, monitor giving trends, and use data to inform strategy and manage priorities
• Act as a trusted mentor and/or strategic advisor to members of the Development team, elevating skills, building capacity, and driving overall performance

WHO YOU ARE

Experience

• You bring 7+ years of experience in leading institutional fundraising
• You have a demonstrated record of securing five- and six-figure and multi-year grants from foundations, corporations, and government sources
• You have experience managing a growing portfolio of institutional funders and advancing them through cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship cycles
• You bring familiarity with charter schools, K–12 education, education reform, and/or policy or advocacy organizations

Skills and Approach

• You bring exceptional grant writing and proposal development skills and can translate complex policy and program work into compelling narratives
• You are a strong relationship builder with the ability to inspire long-term investment from institutional partners
• You are a strategic thinker with excellent project management skills and can manage multiple proposals and deadlines simultaneously
• You are collaborative and flexible, thriving in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment
• You are comfortable engaging senior leadership and external stakeholders with confidence and professionalism

This position requires approximately 10–20% travel for donor meetings and events.

WHAT WE OFFER

The National Alliance for Public Charter Schools offers a sector-leading salary and benefits package. We cover 100% of an employee’s medical, dental, and vision premiums, and 50% for spouses and dependents, including an HRA to cover 100% of in-network medical deductibles. We also offer:

• 403(b) retirement account with up to a 6% match after 90 days of employment
• Automatic life insurance coverage, short- and long-term disability coverage, and FSA
• 12 weeks of fully paid parental leave
• 25 PTO days annually, plus every federal holiday and a week off at year-end
• Monthly reimbursement for internet and cellular service, plus a $500 home office setup stipend in your first 90 days

The anticipated starting salary range for this role is $115,000-$140,000, commensurate with experience and qualifications. 

WHO WE ARE

The National Alliance for Public Charter Schools believes that all families deserve high-quality public school options. Charter schools are independent public schools providing families with a new set of public school options. Each of these schools is developed to be a partnership between parents, teachers, and students.   

When given the option, parents are choosing to enroll their children in charter schools. In fact, the demand for charter schools is far outpacing the supply in most communities. What began as a small movement in a few states has grown to become a major force in education reform across the country. Through advocacy, research, and strategic communications, the National Alliance works to grow the number of high-quality charter schools available to all families, especially those who do not have access to high-quality public schools.  

WHAT IS THE ROLE 

The Senior Vice President (SVP), Strategic Communications and Development, serves as the executive leader for Communications, Development, and Research/Data, integrating these three functions into a cohesive and high performing storytelling engine. This role ensures the organization communicates with clarity and influence, collects and analyzes strategically aligned data and research, and advances a compelling philanthropic narrative that supports diversified fundraising goals. The SVP, Strategic Communications and Development, partners with CEO to set the narrative and voice of the National Alliance and ensures the communications, development, and research and data work is aligned to advancing policy goals. 

WHAT YOU’LL DO 

Lead Communications Strategy 

• Set and execute an integrated communications strategy that advances federal and state policy objectives, legal strategies, and organizational priorities. 

• Direct message development, strategic communications planning, and the editorial calendar. 

• Ensure a consistent and credible organizational voice across all public-facing channels. 

• Oversee integrated PR campaign planning across earned media, owned/digital, and collateral material development to drive measurable influence. 

Media, Visibility, and Rapid Response 

• Oversee proactive and reactive media strategy, including relationships with reporters and news outlets. 

• Manage rapid-response and crisis communications in a dynamic and often contentious education policy landscape. 

• Maintain clear escalation paths, approvals, spokesperson guidance, and high-quality executive communications and briefing materials. 

Lead the Research & Data Function 

• Provide executive oversight for the research and data team and their portfolio of work, including helping determine which data collection to prioritize and how it will be shared publicly. 

• Align the data collection and research agenda to organizational priorities and ensure data is translated into actionable, accessible insights for advocacy, communications, and fundraising. 

• Establish quality and accuracy standards, data-use guidance, and release calendars that synchronize with communications and development needs. 

Lead Development Storytelling & Alignment 

• Provide strategic leadership to the Development team, ensuring communications and research fuel fundraising success across foundations, individuals, government grants, corporate partnerships, dues based campaigns, and broad based giving. 

• Oversee narrative development and quality standards for all donor facing materials, including cases for support, proposals, pitch decks, fundraising campaigns, and donor stewardship materials. 

• Partner closely with the CEO and VP of Development on strategy and high stakes philanthropic moments, ensuring alignment across message, data, and organizational priorities. 

• Ensure Development has timely access to messaging, insights, and assets that strengthen donor engagement and deepen understanding of impact. 

Build and Lead High Performing Teams Across All Three Functions 

• Lead managers, staff, and vendors across Communications, Development, and Research/Data, setting goals, managing budgets, and upholding high standards of quality, accuracy, and message discipline.  

• Establish an operating cadence (shared objectives, quarterly planning, regular reviews) that ensures coordination and alignment across all three teams. 

• Foster a culture of seizing opportunity, collaboration, accountability, and excellence. 

Organization Wide Alignment and Clear Messaging 

• Help anchor the organization in a shared narrative and ensure coordinated messaging for priority campaigns, policy moments, publications, and major announcements. 

• Provide internal and external stakeholders with timely guidance, talking points, and communications support. 

• Reinforce message consistency and brand discipline across all external touch points. 

WHO YOU ARE 

• You are a senior communications executive with demonstrated success leading a complex work portfolio — and you bring the range, judgment, and readiness to oversee communications, development, and research/data as integrated, high performing functions. 

• You bring deep expertise in strategic communications, including message development, media relations, rapid response, and crisis communications in policy or advocacy environments. 

• You have meaningful experience partnering with or managing development teams: shaping donor narratives, strengthening proposals and stewardship, and aligning messaging and data to support diversified fundraising goals. 

• You understand how to leverage research and data to influence opinion, strengthen policy arguments, and power organizational storytelling — and you have managed analytical or research-driven workstreams. 

• You excel at distilling complex issues into compelling content for policymakers, media, funders, and the public. 

• You are an leader who turns vision into executable strategies, tactics and projects; you manage budgets, set high standards, and lead managers; you coach teams and consultants to deliver consistent quality at a fast pace. 

• You lead through collaboration and clarity, building cross team alignment and driving results in dynamic, high visibility contexts. 

• You are a confident, polished communicator who operates effectively in high-stakes settings with senior executives, board members, donors, and press. 

• You demonstrate sound judgment, discretion, and the ability to navigate complex political and advocacy environments. 

• You are committed to the mission of the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools and passionate about expanding access to high-quality public education for all students. 

WHAT WE OFFER 

The National Alliance for Public Charter Schools offers a sector-leading salary and benefits package. We cover 100% of an employee’s medical, dental, and vision premiums, and 50% for spouses and dependents, including an HRA to cover 100% of in-network medical deductibles. We also offer: 

• 403(b) retirement account with up to a 6% match after 90 days of employment 

• Automatic life insurance coverage, short- and long-term disability coverage, and FSA 

• 12 weeks of fully paid parental leave 

• 25 PTO days annually, plus every federal holiday and a week off at year-end 

• Monthly reimbursement for internet and cellular service, plus a $500 home office setup stipend in your first 90 days 

The anticipated base salary range for this role is $200,000–$240,000, commensurate with experience and qualifications.  

WHO WE ARE 

The National Alliance for Public Charter Schools believes that all families deserve high-quality public school options. Charter schools are independent public schools providing families with a new set of public school options. Each of these schools is developed to be a partnership between parents, teachers, and students.    

When given the option, parents are choosing to enroll their children in charter schools. In fact, the demand for charter schools is far outpacing the supply in most communities. What began as a small movement in a few states has grown to become a major force in education reform across the country. Through advocacy, research, and strategic communications, the National Alliance works to grow the number of high-quality charter schools available to all families, especially those who do not have access to high-quality public schools.