Board Relations Coordinator presso Chicago Public Schools

Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is a district on the rise, serving over 325,000 students in 500+ schools and employing over 45,000 people, most of them teachers. CPS has set ambitious goals to ensure that every student, in every school and every neighborhood, has access to a world-class learning experience that prepares each for success in college, career, and civic life. Aligned with our transformed philosophy, we are steadfastly focused on ensuring that the District provides resources equitably to support every student, every school, and every community. Six core values guide the work we do every day for our students – student-centered, whole child, equity, academic excellence, community partnership, and continuous learning. Each role in the district supports our vision that every student deserves a rigorous, joyful, and equitable learning experience.

The Board Office supports the Chicago Board of Education in its mission to support and increase the capacity of Chicago Board of Education members to govern CPS and to increase public access and engagement with its members. The Board Office is responsible to strengthen the transparency of CPS policies, operations, and initiatives and lead the execution of all administrative responsibilities of the Board Office.

Job Summary:
Reporting to the Director of Board Relations in the Executive Office, the Board Relations Coordinator serves as a point of contact for the Executive Office and the Board Office to ensure Board Members are briefed on important decisions and topics. This role is responsible for successfully executing activities for the monthly Board of Education meetings and for managing all information submitted to the Board of Education for the monthly Board report process and must work closely (and with discretion) with multiple stakeholders (e.g. peers, senior leadership, Board Office) on time-sensitive deadlines.

Job Summary: 

Reporting to the Director of Board Relations in the Executive Office, the Board Relations Coordinator serves as a point of contact for the Executive Office and the Board Office to ensure Board Members are briefed on important decisions and topics. This role is responsible for successfully executing activities for the monthly Board of Education meetings and for managing all information submitted to the Board of Education for the monthly Board report process and must work closely (and with discretion) with multiple stakeholders (e.g. peers, senior leadership, Board Office) on time-sensitive deadlines. 

The Board Relations Coordinator will be held accountable for the following responsibilities:

• Compile and arrange documentation for the monthly board reporting process, including summary materials, paper and electronic board reports, and executive (confidential) session items (including personnel recommendations). 
• Facilitate activities for monthly CEO briefings on public agenda items, including tasks such as creating monthly CEO briefing agenda grid, scheduling date, time and location of briefing, documenting and communicating CEO briefing results, resolving outstanding issues prior to the Board Office deadline, and facilitating briefings. 
• Assist the Executive Office in communicating the final monthly public agenda and executive session recommendations to the Board Secretary. 
• Assist the Executive Office with the preparation and execution of monthly Board member briefings, including tasks such as creating the annual briefing schedule, developing monthly agendas, compiling, disseminating and filing monthly agenda presentations and coordinating CPS leadership attendees. 
• Assist the Executive Office and Board Secretary in preparing and executing the monthly Board meeting; assist with the creation of Board Member updates, as needed. 
• Attend briefings with Board Members and drive the follow-up as needed. 
• Other duties as assigned. 

In order to be successful and achieve the above responsibilities, the Board Relations Coordinator must possess the following qualifications: 

Education Required: 

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university
• Master’s degree in Public Administration, Education, Business Administration, or a related field is preferred

Experience Required: 

• Minimum of three (3) years of professional work experience in program/project or office coordination is required 
• Leadership experience in public policy, project management, data analysis, and/or performance management is preferred

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 

• Strong interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to lead presentations and facilitate conversations with a broad range of participants
• Ability to articulate a vision, set high standards, and effectively guide schools and principals in the realization of expectations set
• Effective prioritization and time management capabilities, including the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, driving them to completion and achieving success
• High levels of integrity, honesty, and professionalism
• Effective use of judgment and critical thinking capabilities; ability to align day-to-day activities toward fulfillment of expectations and goals, and understand if/when a request or situation requires escalation
• Strong collaboration and team-building skills, e.g. ability to guide high-performing teams united around a clear vision for serving schools and achieving student success
• Knowledge of operations, budget/finance, management and organizational development
• Ability to build collaborative relationships with a variety of constituent groups, including external partners, to ensure the entire system operates in the most effective manner possible to support schools and principals
• Ability to define problems, analyze data, and outline valid conclusions and action steps
• Proficiency with Microsoft Suite, and Google Suite (e.g. Excel & Powerpoint)

Conditions of Employment

As a condition of employment with the Chicago Public Schools (CPS), employees are required to:

• Establish/Maintain Chicago Residency - Employees are required to live within the geographic boundaries of the City of Chicago within six months of their CPS hire date and maintain residency throughout their employment with the district. The Chicago residency requirement does not apply to temporary/part-time positions, however, all CPS employees must be residents of Illinois.