Director of District Partnerships, Education Rights Institute, School of Law

Director of District Partnerships, Education Rights Institute, School of Law

The Education Rights Institute (ERI) at the University of Virginia School of Law seeks a dynamic and collaborative Director of District Partnerships. The Director of District Partnerships will work under the direction of and closely with the Institute's Founding Director, Professor Kimberly Jenkins Robinson. Launched in 2023, ERI advances equal educational opportunity by engaging policymakers, K-12 educators, and families to support delivery of a high-quality public education in the United States. ERI accomplishes this goal by pursuing the following strategic priorities:

• Lead and amplify public discourse to advance equal educational opportunity and elevate the value of high-quality public schools for all.
• Equip educators and policymakers to recognize and close opportunity gaps by delivering a high-quality public education.
• Expand educators' and K-12 leaders' capacity to interpret and implement protections against discrimination based on race, color, and national origin.
• Grow ERI's impact by securing diverse funding streams and cultivating a coalition of students, families, educators, scholars, and donors that champion high-quality public schools.

The Institute does not represent individual clients in legal proceedings. The Director of District Partnerships' responsibilities include:

• Responsibilities for Working with School Districts:
  • Collaborate with the ERI team to develop and implement a new initiative to empower district and school leaders, educators, and staff to understand and improve implementation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VI) and other legal protections from discrimination based on race, color, and national origin.
  • Develop and lead both in-person and online professional development opportunities for school districts around Title VI and other laws that protect students from race, color, and national origin discrimination.
  • Attend conferences and meet in-person and virtually with policymakers, school district staff and leadership, educators, and families.
• Other Strategic Responsibilities:
  • Collaborate with the ERI team to implement and refine ERI's strategic plan.
  • Work with the ERI team to take advantage of new opportunities as they are presented.
• Research and Writing Responsibilities:
  • Share in writing and editing responsibilities for reports, editorials, and other written content regarding Title VI and other protections against discrimination based on race, color, and national origin discrimination.
  • Share responsibility for writing webinar scripts and recording video and webinar content.
  • Research and analyze federal and/or state enforcement priorities and trends.
• Supervisory Responsibilities:
  • Supervise ERI student research assistants.
  • As ERI grows, this position may be asked to manage new staff.
• Other Duties as Assigned:
  • All team members regularly pitch in to support fundraising; event planning; communications; and other areas of operations.

Required Education and Experience:

• J.D. from an ABA approved law school or foreign equivalent.
• Be an active member of a state bar in good standing (by the start date of the position).
• Three or more years of post J.D. legal experience.
• Excellent analytical, research, and writing skills.
• Proficiency with standard office software.

Preferred Experience:

• Five or more years of experience working in the field of education law and policy or civil rights.
• Experience working with educators, school district leaders, and/or state and federal education leaders.
• Comfortable designing and making large and small group presentations.
• Top-notch interpersonal, project management, and organizational skills.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate with other professionals to achieve common aims.
• First-rate oral communication skills.
• Ability to work diligently and efficiently in a fast-paced, detail-oriented environment.

This is a gift funded restricted position contingent on funding and performance. This position is available for an immediate start date. This position will require the ability to travel domestically to partner with school districts, attend conferences, and collaborate with ERI partners. This position requires most work to be performed in person at the Law School, with the opportunity to perform a limited amount of work remotely in accordance with Law School policy. This is an exempt-level, benefited position. Learn more about UVA benefits here.

To Apply: Apply online at Complete the application, and upload the following required materials:

• Cover letter
• CV/resume
• Writing sample
• Names and contact information for three professional references. References will not be contacted without prior notice to the candidate.

***Please note that ALL REQUESTED documents MUST be uploaded in the resume submission field. Please combine all documents into one PDF.*** ***Applications that do not have all the required documents will not receive full consideration.*** The University will perform background checks on all new hires prior to employment. Questions regarding the position should be directed to Professor Kimberly Robinson at View email address on click.appcast.io. Questions regarding the application process should be directed to Marcus Rozier, Academic Recruiter at View email address on click.appcast.io. The University of Virginia School of Law is consistently recognized as one of the top law schools in the country. The environment at the Law School is both active and supportive, with a strong sense of collegiality among students, faculty, and staff and a commitment to excellence and service. The School of Law is located in Charlottesville, VA, a college town setting with natural beauty and significant historical relevance in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Charlottesville is a wonderful place to live with an extraordinary quality of life, often ranked among the best places to live in the United States. For more information about UVA and the Charlottesville community please see Visit UVA and Embark Central Virginia. The University of Virginia is an equal opportunity employer. All interested persons are encouraged to apply, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Learn more about UVA's commitment to non-discrimination and equal opportunity employment.

Each agency within the Commonwealth of Virginia is dedicated to recruiting, supporting, and maintaining a competent and diverse work force. Equal Opportunity Employer