June 2026

Position: Policy and Advocacy Director

Location: Indianapolis, IN (virtual candidates will be considered)

Competitive salary commensurate with experience, full benefits

EdChoice, a national nonprofit organization that promotes state-based educational choice programs, is seeking a Policy and Advocacy Director to join its Policy and Advocacy team. This position will work in target states to develop and deploy strategic plans and activities for the adoption of universal education freedom policies. The Policy and Advocacy Director will build relationships, organize efforts, recruit a diverse set of partners, serve as strategic advisor, and represent EdChoice with multiple external associates and partners.

Successful candidate will have solid experience in the legislative process, building partnerships, issue advocacy, and/or community relations. Candidate must be a self-starter with outstanding communications skills, the ability to multi-task and an entrepreneurial, adaptable, diplomatic approach to the work. Please note: This position requires significant travel to multiple states.

Position is based in Indianapolis, Indiana, but virtual candidates will be accepted and considered. Competitive salary is commensurate with the position and candidate’s experience, plus benefits.

Applicants should submit a cover letter detailing interest in and support of educational choice and joining EdChoice, resumé, and 1-2 writing samples to [email protected] by June 16, 2026.

Job Description:

Position:  Policy and Advocacy Director 

Purpose: Work in target states to develop and deploy strategic plans and activities for the adoption of universal education freedom policies. Develop and maintain sustainable efforts for the adoption and implementation of universal educational choice policies consistent with EdChoice priorities. Build relationships with policymakers and coalition partners, monitor legislative and regulatory developments, and mobilize stakeholders to influence public policy outcomes. Serve as strategic advisor to leadership and represent the organization with state legislators, government officials, community leaders, advocacy groups, and external partners.

Focus: Promote EdChoice’s vision of universal educational freedom policies to legislative stakeholders in target states. These policies will advance the notion that all families will have access to all available dollars to choose from all possible education options and will provide families with the most opportunities to choose the education that best fits the needs of their children. This is done by educating the public, policymakers, community influencers, and state-based and national advocates about EdChoice’s vision of truly universal educational freedom by providing resources, information, and training so that local legislative leaders and coalitions are better equipped and trained to support the issue and each other.

Supervised by: Vice President of Policy and Advocacy

Core Responsibilities

Policy and Advocacy

Undertake the following policy and advocacy activities:

• Assist in the bill drafting process and help facilitate conversations that lead to the development of quality educational freedom policies that are consistent with EdChoice priorities and agreed to by legislative stakeholders.
• Create meaningful dialogue with trusted national and state partners to develop shared goals on education freedom policies.
• Provide or facilitate expert testimony, tactical research, strategic communications and policy briefings that secure or increase support for quality educational freedom policies.
• Provide ongoing policy implementation support for existing programs to help protect and defend them from policy or regulatory rollbacks.
• Lobby and engage lobbyists to pass legislation and assist in rulemaking and policy implementation.

Coalition Building

Develop strategy to increase the number and quality of educational freedom supporters by:

• Identifying, recruiting, and engaging a broad and diverse set of local policymakers and community leaders, cultivating relationships with both existing and new partners.
• Undertaking efforts to build, grow, and strengthen local coalitions with a goal to create or support infrastructure that can operate and fund itself.
• Develop strategic action plans and timetables to promote educational freedom in coordination with state partners.
• Participate in events and relationship building with national partners in the school choice movement.

Events/Briefings/Trainings

Coordinate and conduct training and outreach activities for policymakers and their influencers by:

• Coordinating training conferences in conjunction with Training & Outreach team.
• Hosting or sponsoring in state partnership events and policy briefings.

Grant Development and Management

Develop and manage a state specific grant budget that funds local and national partners to:

• Educate policymakers and their influencers.
• Enable partner organizations to support specific efforts that would accelerate the state on the pathway to universal educational freedom.
• Support specific projects, research, or activities that increase the number and quality of state and local partners.

Other Activities

• Work with research, communications, and development teams to use existing research and communications to identify new research, media, and funding opportunities.
• Work with state and local groups to establish EdChoice as a trusted and effective long-term partner.

Qualifications

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree or higher, or equivalent experience
• Prior experience working in the legislative process preferred; a working understanding of the legislative process required.
• Prior experience in and around government preferred.
• At least 1-2 years of experience working with coalitions preferred.
• Experience in campaigns, advocacy and/or community relations preferred.
• Strong experience working with local and state-based organizations preferred.

Essential Characteristics

• Compatibility with EdChoice mission.
• Willingness to travel regularly.
• Excellent at creating, building, and maintaining internal and external relationships.
• Ability to reach out to people who do not share EdChoice vision.
• Ability to work in non-partisan environment.
• An entrepreneurial self-starter who is adaptable, a multi-tasker, and who handles challenges and adversity diplomatically.
• Good internal and external communication skills a must.
• Ability to accept feedback, coaching, and a desire to be a good teammate a must.

Applicants should submit a cover letter detailing interest in and support of educational choice and joining EdChoice, resumé, and 1-2 writing samples to [email protected] by June 16, 2026.

ABOUT EDCHOICE

EdChoice is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to advancing full and unencumbered educational choice as the best pathway to successful lives and a stronger society. EdChoice believes that families, not bureaucrats, are best equipped to make K-12 schooling decisions for their children. The organization works at the state level to educate diverse audiences, train advocates and engage policymakers on the benefits of high-quality school choice programs. EdChoice is the intellectual legacy of Milton and Rose D. Friedman, who founded the organization in 1996.

EdChoice, Inc., is an equal opportunity employer and does not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, military status, or any status protected by law, in any of its activities or operations. All qualified applicants will receive consideration. We are committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of our staff, contractors, and partners.