Our Schools Action Chicago: Regional Area Director

Area Director, Chicago School Board Election

Reports To: OSA Campaign Manager

Position Type: Full-Time, Exempt

Location: Chicago, IL

Organization: Our Schools Action Chicago

Summary

Our Schools is seeking five Area Directors to lead electoral campaign operations across Chicago's school board districts. Each Area Director will be assigned to one geographic region, overseeing all campaign activities within that area including candidate management, field operations, voter contact, and community relationship-building.

Area Directors work in close coordination with the School Board Campaign Manager and peer Area Directors to execute a unified, coalition-wide campaign strategy. This is a senior field leadership role ideal for an experienced organizer or campaign professional who is deeply connected to Chicago communities and committed to education equity.

Organization Overview

This year, Chicagoans have the opportunity to elect their representatives on the 21 member Chicago Public Schools Board of Education. We have a chance to make history by electing a progressive slate of candidates endorsed by a coalition of community, political and labor organizations dedicated to a just and equitable education system. Our Schools Action Chicago is committed to a vision of an education system where every student in Chicago regardless of their race, income, or zip code receives access to fully resourced, equitable, safe, and healthy public schools.

Position Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary campaign lead for all endorsed candidates running in assigned districts.
• Manage candidate relationships, providing strategic guidance, scheduling support, and regular check-ins.
• Oversee all field operations in the region, including canvassing, phone banking, and voter ID programs.
• Supervise assigned Field Directors and Volunteer Coordinators, setting goals and ensuring data hygiene.
• Cultivate and maintain relationships with community organizations, faith communities, parent groups, and local stakeholders.
• Develop and execute a localized voter contact strategy tailored to each district's demographics and priorities.
• Track and report voter contact data, volunteer recruitment, and campaign milestones to the Our Schools team.
• Coordinate with the Communications team on district-level messaging and earned media opportunities.
• Represent candidates at community events, forums, and coalition meetings within the region.
• Identify and escalate issues or opportunities specific to the region in a timely manner.

Primary Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Minimum of three years of experience in electoral field organizing or campaign management.
• Demonstrated experience supervising staff and managing volunteers in a campaign setting.
• Strong knowledge of Chicago neighborhoods and communities, particularly within the preferred region.
• Proficiency with voter file tools such as VAN and data-driven field organizing.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to build trust with diverse community stakeholders.
• Excellent organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
• Experience developing and executing voter contact plans.

Secondary Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Prior experience on school board or education-focused campaigns.
• Background in labor, community organizing, or issue advocacy.
• Bilingual language skills aligned to the preferred region's community (see regional notes above).
• Familiarity with restorative practices, education equity, and community schools models.
• Experience working with coalition partners and civil rights organizations.

Regional Groupings

Applicants should indicate their preferred region(s) when applying. Candidates with strong geographic knowledge, community ties, or language skills aligned to a specific region are encouraged to note this in their application.

• Southwest Side Bilingual fluency in English and Spanish strongly preferred.
• Little Village, Pilsen, Brighton Park, Back of the Yards, and Gage Park, extending to nearby southwest suburbs.
• South Side
• Englewood, Auburn Gresham, Hyde Park, South Shore, and Roseland, extending to nearby south suburbs.
• West Side / Near North
• Austin, Lawndale, Garfield Park, West Town, and Bronzeville, spanning from the Near North Side through the West Side.
• Northwest Side Bilingual fluency in English and Spanish strongly preferred.
• Logan Square, Avondale, Albany Park, Portage Park, and Humboldt Park, extending to nearby northwest suburbs.
• Northeast Side
• Rogers Park, Edgewater, Lincoln Square, Lakeview, and Lincoln Park.

Salary Range: $6,000 - $7,000/month, commensurate with experience

Duration: Through November 2026, with potential to extend through March 2027

Application Process

• Fill out this form by Friday, June 12th
• Screening/first round interview
• Second round interview
• Reference Checks
• Anticipated start date: ASAP or by July 1st