EdTrust-Tennessee - Senior Associate, Communications & Engagement

EdTrust seeks a Senior Associate, Communications and Engagement in our EdTrust-Tennessee office to manage and support a growing body of work focused on strategic communications and storytelling, partner outreach and engagement, and youth voice. The Senior Associate will join a team committed to closing opportunity gaps that disproportionately affect students of color and students from low-income backgrounds.

The Senior Associate contributes to EdTrust’s mission of advancing education equity by advancing communications efforts that elevate EdTrust-Tennessee’s policy priorities and strengthen public understanding of key issues among youth, state partners, and coalitions. This includes supporting message development, digital content creation, promotion of policy and research reports and campaigns, and media engagement. The Senior Associate also oversees EdTrust-Tennessee’s youth engagement portfolio—recruiting and coordinating a small student cohort and facilitating their contributions to project-based work aligned to EdTrust-Tennessee's policy priorities and agenda. In addition, the Senior Associate helps sustain and activate EdTrust TN’s partner network by shaping coalition resources, coordinating engagement opportunities, and building ongoing relationships with educators, advocates, and organizational allies. This role collaborates closely with cross-functional teams across Tennessee and nationally to ensure youth voice, communications strategy, and partner insights are embedded in EdTrust’s policy and advocacy work.

EdTrust is committed to advancing policies and practices to dismantle the racial and economic barriers embedded in the U.S. education system. Through our research and advocacy, EdTrust improves equity in education from preschool through college, engages diverse communities dedicated to equity and justice, and increases political and public will to build an education system where all students will thrive.  

Available immediately, this role is based in our Nashville, TN office and is eligible for hybrid work (up to three days remote per week) per our current policy. Occasional in-state travel and evening/weekend commitments may be required for events and cohort coordination. This position reports to the Assistant Director, Communications.

ABOUT THE SENIOR ASSOCIATE ROLE

The responsibilities and objectives for the role include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Support coalition building efforts by developing and maintaining partnerships with external organizations around shared priorities, which includes developing resources, regularly updating and tracking partner engagement, and liaising with partners
• Contribute to advancing EdTrust’s advocacy agenda by project managing the implementation of EdTrust TN’s youth engagement framework, in close collaboration with team leadership
• Support communications strategy execution to achieve advocacy goals; design and execute activities aligned to these goals; and assist with other day-to-day communications work as needed
• Draft, edit, proofread and share content across multiple communications channels, including social media, email, and web, to advance EdTrust’s mission
• Project manage social media engagement, including drafting and curating content, monitoring analytics, and engaging with EdTrust-Tennessee’s audiences
• Project manage the release of public-facing content such as statements, emails, reports, briefs, tools, and newsletters
• Support the production, editing, and updating of EdTrust-Tennessee websites and digital materials to ensure accurate and compelling information for students, partners, and advocates
• Coordinate and execute virtual and in-person events that elevate EdTrust’s policy positions and advocacy messages, including event planning, set-up, and promotion in collaboration with relevant team members.
• Contribute to external-facing written material such as reports, grant proposals, and letters through audience research, writing, and editing
• Stay current and knowledgeable on organizational priorities and recent research from Ed Trust and our partners

IDEAL SKILLS AND CHARACTERISTICS

• Shared belief in EdTrust’s mission and a commitment to improving educational equity
• Dedication in contributing to and maintaining an equitable working environment
• Strong project management skills, including the ability to manage projects end-to-end on-time and on-budget, as well as the ability to prioritize
• Strong written and verbal communication, including the ability to craft clear and persuasive messaging for specific audiences
• Strong relationship-building skills and facilitation skills with the ability to connect with a diverse range of stakeholders and students, fostering trust and meaningful engagement
• Highly collaborative with both internal and external partners, with the ability to work as part of a team and overcome obstacles/find common ground

• Creative problem solving and analytical skills
• Strong writing and editing skills, including high attention to detail (particularly for external-facing work)
• Willingness to receive and act upon, as well as provide, constructive feedback
• Ability to adapt and exercise sound judgement

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

The ideal candidate will possess the following qualifications and experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in (ideally in policy, education, communications or a related field)
• Valid driver’s license
• Some (e.g., at least3-4years) related work experience in communications, organizing, training, youth engagement, and/or advocacy
• Fluidity with Microsoft Office 365 Suite and experience using contact management systems or emailing tools (Every Action or similar platforms) to support communication, organizing, or partner engagement preferred knowledge of education policy and advocacy, preferably on topics related to equity
• Experienced in managing social media platforms and schedulers such as Sprout Social, Instagram, TikTok, X/Threads, LinkedIn, and Facebook.
• Experience using design software or tools such as Canva or Adobe Creative Suite preferred

COMPENSATION

The new hire salary range for this position in our Tennessee office is $69,336-$86,670, with offers rarely falling at the top of this range. Offers will be commensurate with skills, experience and internal equity.

EdTrust prioritizes the health and well-being of its employees and, to that end, offers a highly competitive benefits package. Medical, dental and vision insurance are covered at 100% for the employee, with significant coverage also offered for spouses, domestic partners, and dependents. We provide sick leave, vacation leave, and personal leave, and we follow the federal government for most holiday closures. To ensure staff have synchronous opportunities for rest and renewal, the office is closed for a week-long summer break and a week-long winter break. Among other offerings, we provide an Employee Assistance Program at no cost to the employee, and a generous 7% contribution opportunity on a 403(b)-retirement plan.

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