Employment

K-12 Education Policy Officer

Position: Policy Officer, K-12 Education

Reports to:  President

Based:  Thornburg Foundation Office, 2300 Ridgetop Road, Santa Fe, NM

Hours:  Full-Time

Accepting applications through May 1, 2025

JOB DESCRIPTION

The Thornburg Foundation is seeking applications from qualified candidates to lead its K-12 Education Initiative, which coordinates with other funders to improve policies affecting educator preparation, and career and technical education. The K-12 Education Policy Officer position will be responsible for the overall direction of the K-12 Education strategy as well as managing a multi-year grantmaking portfolio consistent with the strategic plan. 

The K-12 Education strategy currently focuses on two main goals:

      1. Increase the number of teachers and educational leaders prepared in highly effective apprenticeship programs.

         

      2. Increase the number of graduates ready to succeed at college and in careers by growing the number of high-quality Career and Technical Education programs across the state. 

The K-12 Education strategy may also expand to include one or more of the following areas: implementing social-emotional learning as an instructional strategy, improving school-level leadership, stipends for innovative staffing models, teacher retention and recruitment, integrating the science of learning and AI into project-based learning/expeditionary learning or other strategies.   

Candidates must demonstrate:  

    • Commitment to, experience in, and enthusiasm for advancing policy to strengthen education systems in New Mexico; required
    • Experience working in a non-partisan way, building coalitions, and engaging diverse stakeholders, including Tribal, Hispanic, and rural communities; required
    • Strong written and oral communication skills, as well as organizational and interpersonal skills; required. 
    • Must operate with an entrepreneurial mindset, be self-directed, and highly collegial; required.
    • 5+ years of executive, legislative, campaign, or related political or advocacy experience from within government, the non-profit sector, philanthropy, or other related industry; required.
    • Undergraduate degree in education, economics, public policy, or related field; required. Master’s degree; preferred.
    • Strong project management skills to ensure grants are developed, submitted, monitored, and reviewed on a timely basis; required.
    • Understanding of the New Mexico political landscape; strongly preferred.
    • Experience building issue-advocacy strategies to advance long–term policy objectives; preferred.          

    Essential Duties: 

      • Lead and refine as needed a comprehensive strategy designed to advance the Foundation’s education strategy and annual work plan. 
      • Work closely with prospective and current grantees to develop new grant applications, support grant implementation, and ensure grant reporting.
      • Manage an annual grantmaking portfolio of approximately $1 million in grants per year.
      • Prepare and deliver quarterly presentations to the Foundation’s Board of Directors on the progress of the K-12 Education Initiative and grant recommendations.
      • Coordinate and collaborate with partners and stakeholders to advance a strong research and policy agenda.
      • Work in a non-partisan way to build coalitions and engage diverse stakeholders in any strategy, such as national and local business organizations, community and elected officials, Tribal entities, legal experts, non–profit organizations, foundations, and community–based organizations.
      • Ongoing engagement and consultations with national, regional, and state funders and funding collaboratives around K-12 Education work.
      • Provide necessary reporting and updates to the President for his communications with the Thornburg Foundation executive committee.
      • Works with the highest integrity and in full compliance with applicable rules, regulations, and standards.
      • Occasional travel in-state as well as national travel is required.
      • Applicant must pass a background check. 

    Compensation & Benefits: Competitive salary; health care benefits; Paid Time Off; Sick Leave; and 401(k) plan with generous employer contribution.

     Location: This position is based in the Thornburg Foundation office in Santa Fe, NM.  The position allows for hybrid work, and staff schedule 3 days per week in the office.  The Foundation does not offer remote work options.     

     To Apply: No phone calls. Please submit a cover letter that specifically addresses how your expertise and background match the job description requirements, your resume, and contact information for three references (two must be former or current employers) prior to Thursday, May 1, 2025. Email applications to [email protected] and include “K-12 Education Policy Officer” in the subject line. We plan for first–round interviews for this position to be conducted between May 8, 2025, and May 16, 2025. The target start for the position is June 2, 2025. 


    All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color religion, sex, national origin, disability, gender, gender identity, or protected veteran status.