Coalition Manager

Kansas Action for Children is seeking a Coalition Manager for the Partnership for Early Success. The Partnership for Early Success (PES) is a multi-sector group of organizations and individuals working as partners toward the betterment of early childhood experiences for young Kansas children. The Coalition Manager will facilitate relationships amongst advocates, educators, and early childhood specialists to fulfill the PES mission ensuring Kansas centers the needs of children in policy and funding decisions so that every child can thrive.

This position requires a dynamic individual with strong leadership, communication, and management skills who can champion the coalition’s mission and drive systemic change. This position reports to the Vice President.

Responsibilities

Coalition Building and Management

• Convene a coalition to advocate for more affordable and accessible child care as well as improvement to the early learning and care system.
• Engage partners, providers, and parents in early learning and care policy discussions and as needed, hold community forums throughout the state.
• Lead the development of the coalition’s strategic goals, objectives, and campaign plans with input and buy-in from a wide range of coalition members, and in collaboration with KAC Leadership.
• Oversee the coalition's strategic plan and hold members, and supporters accountable for their objectives and mission.
• Participates in coalition-building strategies at the state level and maintains key relationships with partner organizations.
• Represent the coalition at the invitation of conferences, panel discussions, webinars, and other relevant convenings.

Advocacy and Community Engagement

• Build relationships with key stakeholders, including coalition members, government agencies, policymakers, community organizations, and families.
• Be positioned as a policy source for policymakers, healthcare stakeholders, and the media.
• Facilitate network-wide activities, including developing and managing gatherings that ensure the network is sufficiently supported to learn, share, coordinate, and create with one another.
• Identify and create opportunities to develop and expand partnerships in communities across Kansas.
• Implement strategies that will result in meaningful opportunities for members to engage with the Partnership for Early Success and advance its policy agenda.

Communications

• Develop and implement a communications plan to engage partners and Kansans in advocacy and public education efforts.
• Create and carry out an internal communications strategy to keep partners engaged in the coalition and ongoing advocacy efforts.
• Share materials and other updates about legislative developments with network partners.
• Design and implement an outreach and onboarding plan to expand the reach and impact of the network.

Qualifications

• Have proven experience in coalition-building, community engagement, grassroots organizing, or related fields.
• Advocacy, consensus-building, coalition-building, and leadership skills; demonstrated ability to work collegially and collaboratively with other staff and other organizations; ability to work with groups and individuals across the political spectrum.
• 5-7+ years of leadership experience, preferably in the early childhood education or nonprofit sector.
• A thorough understanding of early childhood care and education systems.
• Demonstrated ability to set priorities; work on multiple complex and detail-oriented projects, often on a time-sensitive basis; and work effectively individually and as part of a team.
• Ability to thrive in a political environment and respond quickly when conditions change. More importantly, bring others along with you.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills for building partnerships and representing the coalition.
• A commitment to economic, racial, and social justice of children, youth, and families, evident through prior work, writing, and/or advocacy.

Time Commitment and Expectations

This is a full-time position and requires a Kansas residency. Kansas Action for Children follows a hybrid work structure, allowing for some remote work. This position requires an in-person presence in the Statehouse during the legislative session and in the office for specific tasks, team meetings, and formal and informal collaboration. This position may include long hours and require a flexible schedule, particularly during legislative session. Travel is required for meetings and events throughout the state and to national conferences, as needed.

This position is represented by Communication Workers of America Local 6400 and is a bargaining unit position.