Policy Director

Policy Director Alliance for Connecticut Charter Schools (ACCS)

Location: Connecticut/hybrid

The Alliance for Connecticut Charter Schools (ACCS) is a statewide advocacy and support organization working to strengthen Connecticut's charter sector, expand access to high-quality schools, and ensure charter students receive equitable opportunities. ACCS operates at the intersection of school quality, growth, compliance, and policy advocacy to deliver results for families and schools across the state. We work closely with our community engagement arm, LEAD, to build and mobilize grassroots support that informs and strengthens our efforts.

The Policy Director will lead ACCS's policy development and legislative engagement, serving as the day-to-day driver of the organization's agenda at the Capitol and with key stakeholders across Connecticut. This role oversees policy strategy, bill development, coalition alignment, legislative tracking, testimony and communications, and the execution of an annual advocacy plan that delivers measurable wins for the charter sector.

Success in this role requires strong political judgment, disciplined execution, and the ability to operate effectively in complex, high-stakes environments. The Policy Director will move work from idea to impact - shaping strategy, influencing decision-makers, and driving consistent results across each legislative session.

Based in Connecticut, this hybrid role includes weekly in-person team time in Danbury, with flexibility to work from ACCS sites in other parts of the state. The position requires regular in-state travel and occasional out-of-state travel and reports to the CEO.

The Policy Director will drive impact across five core areas:

• Lead policy agenda development in partnership with the Executive Director and ACCS leadership
• Draft, review, and refine bill language, amendments, and policy briefs aligned to ACCS priorities
• Develop clear policy positions, decision memos, and board-ready recommendations
• Build a year-round policy calendar that prepares ACCS for session, interim work, and key deadlines
• Coordinate external policy support as needed

• Manage day-to-day legislative engagement at the Capitol and with key legislative staff
• Track relevant legislation, hearings, and regulatory actions affecting charter schools
• Prepare testimony, talking points, briefing materials, and meeting prep for ACCS leaders and partners
• Coordinate legislator meetings, site visits, and briefings with charter operators and community leaders
• Support coalition advocacy campaigns by providing accurate, timely policy guidance

• Ensure alignment across leadership, communications, and advocacy teams on policy messaging, deadlines, strategy, and follow-through
• Build and maintain strong relationships with policymakers, state agencies, and key partners
• Coordinate policy alignment with charter school leaders and member schools
• Support cross-organization collaboration with statewide and national charter partners
• Help strengthen bipartisan support by mapping champions, persuadables, and opposition
• Develop rapid response materials to address misinformation or opposition claims

• Produce policy-ready research, data summaries, and issue briefs that strengthen ACCS advocacy
• Translate complex policy into clear, accessible materials for families, educators, and community leaders
• Maintain a library of ACCS policy resources, including fact sheets, one-pagers, and legislative toolkits
• Support development of a unified narrative for charter equity, funding, and authorization improvements

• Develop and manage data systems, CRM tools, and technology platforms to track legislation, stakeholder engagement, and advocacy outcomes, ensuring data-driven and efficient policy execution
• Maintain a legislative dashboard with priorities, status updates, next steps, and owner assignments
• Coordinate policy planning meetings, including notes, follow-ups, and deliverables
• Support compliance-aligned advocacy practices in coordination with ACCS leadership and fiscal sponsor processes
• Contribute to board and funder updates on policy progress and outcomes

Preferred Qualifications

• 7-10+ years of experience in public policy, legislative advocacy, or government affairs, with a demonstrated track record of advancing legislation and leading high-stakes policy campaigns
• Deep understanding of Connecticut's legislative process and education policy landscape, with experience drafting bill language, testimony, and policy briefs
• Familiarity with public charter schools strongly preferred

• Strong policy writing, editing, and verbal communication skills, with keen attention to detail and the ability to lead briefings, legislative meetings, and coalition work
• Excellent political judgment and ability to navigate complex stakeholder dynamics
• Strong project management to lead multiple workstreams and deadlines simultaneously
• Comfort operating in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment

• Commitment to educational access and opportunity for Connecticut families, with integrity, professionalism, and relationship-centered leadership
• Results orientation with a strong inclination toward action and follow-through, alongside a collaborative style that strengthens alignment across organizations and leaders
• Resilience in a challenging political environment

• Bachelor's Degree Required; Advanced Degree In Public Policy, Education, Law, Or A Related Field Preferred

Salary and Benefits

The salary range for this role is $100,000–$140,000 annually. ACCS offers a comprehensive benefits package, including health care, a 401(k) with employer matching, and generous paid time off.

Application

Interested and qualified applicants should apply here. Note: the application deadline for this position is May 21, 2026. We do not guarantee review of applications submitted after this date.

We are an equal opportunity employer committed to equity, inclusion, and belonging. We actively seek to build a diverse team and strongly encourage candidates from underrepresented backgrounds to apply. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.