State Director of Public Affairs (Education Policy)

TL;DR

State Director of Public Affairs (Education Policy): Leading political strategy and policy campaigns in Minnesota to advance educator-driven solutions with an accent on government relations and strategic advocacy. Focus on building strategic coalitions, managing relationships with policymakers, and serving as the public face of E4E in the state.

Location: Must be based in Minnesota, USA

Salary: $132,000 - $188,000

Company

hirify.global is a growing movement of nearly 40,000 educators working to build a high-quality, diverse teaching profession and advocate for policy change at the district, state, and national levels.

What you will do

• Analyze the political landscape in Minnesota to identify pathways for teacher-led policy change aligned with the national agenda.
• Define the strategy and theory of change for state-level and local issue advocacy campaigns.
• Serve as the primary external spokesperson, engaging with policymakers, state officials, media, and key stakeholders.
• Build and lead strategic coalitions and manage external lobbyists and government affairs partners.
• Collaborate with communications staff to drive the public narrative and political positioning in high-stakes moments.
• Support fundraising strategy by providing campaign insights and representing local work to funders.

Requirements

• 10+ years of professional experience, including at least 5 years in education policy.
• Proven track record of designing and leading issue advocacy campaigns at the state or large urban local government level.
• Deep experience operating in fast-paced, complex, and highly political environments.
• Bachelor's degree required.
• Must be able to work in Minnesota with approximately 20% travel and occasional weekend/evening availability.

Nice to have

• Additional electoral campaign experience.

Culture & Benefits

• Paid time off and comprehensive health insurance plans.
• Competitive, non-negotiable salaries with pre-tax benefits.
• Cell phone reimbursements.
• Commitment to equity, inclusiveness, and a zero-tolerance policy for discrimination.
• Supportive environment focused on educator voice and leadership.

Hiring process

• Robust evaluation of role-related competencies through a structured hiring process.
• Employment verification via E-Verify.