Washington, DC

Organization: The Center for Education Reform (CER) on behalf of the Yass Prize.

Internship Goals & Objectives:

The 2023 Summer Interns will partner with CER and Yass Prize staff to help advance their missions by supporting various aspects of the work related to the Yass Prize application, education policy, and public outreach. 

Responsibilities: 

• Research issues, collect data, analyze reports, and support the creation of editorial content for the work being done by CER and The Yass Prize initiative.
• Provide social media support..
• Assist Yass Prize leadership with the application process.
• Assist with mailings, press releases, and database entries.
• Support in-person or virtual events and meetings as needed.

Key Attributes:

• Detail-oriented with the ability to manage multiple administrative duties with accuracy and excellence.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, with the ability to analyze and synthesize information concisely.
• Highly proficient with technology and various programs, including but not limited to, Gmail/Google Drive platform and Slack.
• Excellent time management skills, with an ability to take the initiative, work independently, and meet multiple deadlines in a fast-paced work environment.

Qualifications:                                        

• Applicants should be in their sophomore, junior, or senior year of college.
• An interest in education and public policy issues, a passion for education transformation, and a commitment to education freedom.

Timeline & Compensation:

• Summer 2023 Interns will work 25-40  hours per week from June 1 – July 31, 2023 and will be provided with a stipend of $200/week, prorated for fewer days.

———————————————————————————————————————
Interested? Submit your resume, a cover letter, and a 2-page writing sample addressing the following question: In your view, what is the largest problem with K-12 education in the U.S. today? All application materials should be sent to [email protected] with the subject line “Internship Application” by February 15, 2023. More information can be found at YassPrize.org and edreform.com.

Washington, DC with potential for remote

Organization: The Center for Education Reform (CER) on behalf of the Yass Prize.

About The Yass Prize:
The Yass Prize for Sustainable, Transformational, Outstanding, and Permissionless education celebrates the country’s education provider that best demonstrates the STOP principles. In addition to the $1 million Yass Prize, the STOP Awards Initiative provides more than $10 million in additional support to honor educators who achieve excellence. The Yass Prize is administered through the Center for Education Reform and works in tandem to ensure exceptional execution of all efforts that advance the STOP principles.

About the role:
The Senior Manager of Digital Media is responsible for managing all digital media content for the organization – including but not limited to social media platforms, e-newsletters, and all other online communication. This role will report to the Senior Communications Manager.

Responsibilities include:

• Manage digital communications content, including social media, e-newsletters, press releases, presentations and other communications as assigned. Collaborate with leadership and consultants, where indicated, on design and messaging. 
• Develop and distribute social and web communications (text, podcast and video) and ad campaigns as well as track and optimize performance/engagement metrics. 
• Track the success of campaigns and identify options for ongoing improvement and strengthening of engagement and optimization of target metrics. 
• Establish relationships with key influencers on social media. 
• Manage all social media properties, including overseeing social media campaign schedules.
• Inform teams  as well as act on important, relevant news
• Assist organization with weekly newsletters.
• Other duties as assigned.

Key attributes of this position

• Exceptional oral and written communication and proofing skills.
• Able to write and direct the creation and distribution of compelling materials.
• Comfortable and confident in working with high-level media.
• Proactive in bringing PR plans to life and have excellent relationships with reports.
• Communicate and coordinate exceptionally with team members.
• Be highly proficient in all 21st-century technologies and office applications.
• Entrepreneurial, personable, and tenacious. 
• Passionate about education transformation.
• Conscientious about deliverables and continually striving to excel.
• Adaptable, flexible, innovative, and creative.
• Able to work with urgency in a busy environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required, preferably in social sciences, or English.
• 5-8 years of experience desired in a fast-paced environment, preferred media relations experience, and/or experience within a political/public policy setting.
• Strong background in writing, copy editing, and media relations.
• Experience developing communications using online marketing platforms including but not limited to Google Analytics, Google AdWords, Campaign Monitor, Facebook Business Manager, Twitter Ads,  Buffer, YouTube, WordPress, HTML, PowerPoint, and Cision.
• Proven understanding of and expertise using technology systems and programs.

Compensation & Benefits

• Salary Range:  $100,000 – $115,000 depending on years of experience, accomplishment and performance
• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Generous Retirement 
• Paid Holiday, Sick, and Vacation time

Washington, DC with potential for remote

Organization: The Center for Education Reform (CER)

About The Organization

Working to advance education innovation and opportunity for nearly 3 decades, the Center for Education Reform also today administers the $1 Million Yass Prize for Sustainable, Transformational, Outstanding and Permissionless Education that best demonstrates the STOP principles. In conjunction with the Yass Prize, the STOP Awards Initiative provides over $16 million in support annually to honor educators who achieve excellence. 

.About the Role

The Vice President of Public Affairs is responsible for creating and managing most of the communications work for Center for Education Reform and The Yass Prize, coordinating everything from media relations to internal, external and online communications. This role, while it involves executing strategy, is not a strategic role. It is a hands-on, action-oriented position that demands a roll-up-your-sleeves orientation for someone who likes to do the work, not just manage it.This role will report to the CEO and supervise all communications team members, externally and internally.  

While an East Coast presence is preferred, particularly Washington, DC, Philly or New York, the Vice President may work virtually but is required to be in a well-outfitted office and present and available at all times during the work day and at other key peak periods.

Key Responsibilities

• Promotional Outreach & Media Relations: Develop, nurture and steward relationships with media, identify media opportunities, and proactive outreach to maximize the visibility and impact of organizational efforts while maintaining strong systems and data to support the ongoing evolution of effort.

• Story Development & Content Creation: Support and manage the development of compelling narratives and content for both CER and the Yass Prize in partnership with leadership, actively engaging in the production of all print and digital collateral, such as newsletters, stories, media releases, web copy, and e-communications. This includes the management, and as needed,  the actual writing and editing,.

• Website & Social Media Oversight: Manage website design and development, including SEO implementation, and oversee the implementation of effective social media strategy.  

• Events Management: Support and manage key aspects of all events, including script development and participant engagement. Supports colleagues on all event organization from concept to execution.

• Communications Team Leadership: Lead a fast paced communications strategy and drive team to implement and execute with excellence. 

Key Attributes for the Position

• Proven ability to manage staff and manage up to leadership.
• Highly accomplished in managing systems and highly proficient in utilizing all 21st-century technologies and applications that power modern offices
• Proven leadership and strategic thinking abilities, along with a hands-on approach to work, willing and able to be intensively and actively engaged in performing tasks as well as managing them.
• Comfortable and confident in working with high-level constituencies, and has proven accomplishments with national media exposure.
• Proactive in bringing PR plans to life and have excellent relationships with direct reports.
• Exceptional oral and written communication and proofing skills
• Entrepreneurial, personable, and tenacious
• Demonstrated understanding of education opportunity and innovation arenas
• Conscientious about deliverables and continually striving to excel
• Flexible, innovative, and adaptable to day to day work demands, changes and shifting priorities. 
• Able to work with urgency in a busy environment

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required, preferably in social sciences, or English
• At least seven years of public relations, media or comms experience
• Experience with and mastery of digital media
• Strong background in project management, event organization and execution
• Team player –  no task is too small or too big

Compensation & Benefits

• Salary Range:  $160,000 – $175,000 depending on years of experience, accomplishment and performance
• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Generous Retirement
• Paid Holiday, Sick, and Vacation time

______________________________________________________________

Performance Task: Communication Strategy Proposal

Objective: Develop a comprehensive communication strategy proposal for an upcoming Yass Prize event (please use the Yass Prize Quarterfinalist Announcement on September 14th). This strategy should include a multifaceted approach, demonstrating your ability to leverage different communication channels effectively.

Task Components:

1. Story Development and Content Creation: Create a compelling narrative about the importance of the Yass Prize and its impact on education reform. Develop an example of a press release or a media story that could be used to promote the event.

2. Digital Strategy: Draft a social media plan for promoting the Yass Prize event. The plan should include a social media schedule, post ideas, and strategies for engagement. Highlight how SEO and digital analytics would be incorporated to measure and enhance the strategy’s effectiveness.

3. Media Relations Strategy: Identify potential media outlets for promoting the Yass Prize event and propose a media outreach plan. This plan should include tactics for fostering relationships with media, potential challenges, and solutions to address these challenges.

4. Event PR Plan: Describe how you would manage the PR efforts around the event, detailing key aspects such as speaker engagement, scripting, and media coverage.

5. Advocacy Integration: Explain how you would integrate the advocacy of the STOP principles into the communication strategy, highlighting how you would effectively promote the organization’s core values.

6. Team Management: Explain how you would delegate these tasks among your team and ensure effective execution. This should include the method of communication, task allocation, and oversight.

Interested? Send interest statement and resume to [email protected]
More information can be found at yassprize.org and edreform.com.

About CER: Working to advance education innovation and opportunity for nearly 3 decades, the Center for Education Reform also today administers the $1 Million Yass Prize for Sustainable, Transformational, Outstanding and Permissionless Education which celebrates the country’s education provider which best demonstrates the STOP principles. In conjunction with the Yass Prize, the STOP Awards Initiative provides over $16 million in support annually to honor educators who achieve excellence.

CER is an equal opportunity employer, especially committed to equal opportunity for all in education and life and fostering diversity in our workplaces. All applicants are encouraged to apply!