Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is a district on the rise, serving over 320,000 students in 500+ schools and employing over 44,000 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.  In order to fulfill this mission, we make three commitments to our students, their families, and all Chicagoans: academic progress, financial stability, and integrity.  Six core values are embedded within these commitments – student-centered, whole child, equity, academic excellence, community partnership, and continuous learning.

The Office of Intergovernmental Affairs (IGA) advocates for CPS students at every level of government to shape education policy and secure external resources, including Intergovernmental Agreements with the City of Chicago and its sister agencies, state capital funding, and federal funding. IGA advances the CPS agenda before the Chicago City Council, Illinois General Assembly, and in Washington, D.C., and partners with the City of Chicago, the Illinois state legislature, and other entities to secure financial opportunities to advance the district’s goals.

Job Summary: 

Reporting to the CEO, the Chief of Intergovernmental Relations leads the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs whose primary focus is advocating for CPS students before every level of government to shape education policy. This role leads the District’s intergovernmental relations strategy,  establishing and maintaining collaborative partnerships with elected leaders while ensuring the District proactively monitors and responds to the planning, development and execution of federal and state legislation, and municipal ordinances that affect CPS. This is a full-time, exempt position that will be paid for time worked on a salary basis.

The Chief, Intergovernmental Affairs will be held accountable for the following responsibilities:

• Advise the CEO, District leadership, and the Chicago Board of Education on local, state, and federal public policy.

• Lead the development and implementation of the District’s intergovernmental affairs strategy. 

• Manage the operations, performance, and effectiveness of the Intergovernmental Affairs Office and team, including the successful development, monitoring, and achievement of the team’s shared goals and continuous improvement strategy, and the creation and management of the Office’s budget. 

• Actively advocate for initiatives and legislation favorable to CPS and work to deter legislation that does not benefit student progress.

• Work closely with executive leaders as a strategic thought partner to support effective policy decisions that result in positive student outcomes.

• Partner with outside organizations, government agencies, and elected officials to secure additional external resources for CPS students. 

• Provide appropriate supervision, mentoring, and development opportunities to Intergovernmental Affairs staff, including regular performance reviews and professional growth plans.

• Promote and model a positive culture and brand for the Intergovernmental Affairs team by ensuring accurate and transparent information is shared with all CPS stakeholders. 

• Build critical support for and understanding of CPS policy and initiatives to help build strong relationships with key decision makers.

• Other duties and work streams as assigned 

In order to be successful and achieve the above responsibilities, the Chief, Intergovernmental Affairs must possess the following qualifications: 

Education Required: 

• Master’s degree from an accredited college or university required;

• Focus in Business Administration, Education, Policy, or Public Administration preferred

• Juris Doctorate degree preferred

Experience Required: 

• Minimum of fifteen (15) years of related experience, including a minimum of ten (10) years of professional government relations experience required

• Minimum of seven (7) years of experience leading high-functioning teams required

• Policy experience at a strategic senior leadership level in a large, fast-paced urban school district or public institution strongly preferred 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 

• Strong understanding of current developments in state and national education policy

• Comprehensive knowledge of federal and state legislative procedures, functions, committee organizational structure, and decision-making processes.

• Understanding of local, state and federal legislative and executive processes, including budget and appropriations processes; proficient understanding of all timelines and procedural rules related to legislative and rule-making processes.

• Understanding of and ability to comply with state and federal lobbying laws, ethics rules and applicable regulations.

• Ability to read, understand, and clearly draft proposed legislation.

• Ability to set a vision, set high standards, build capacity, and effectively guide and coach in realizing expectations set.

• Expertise in leadership development and building a positive work culture.

• Ability to work collaboratively with community partners, including families, educators, and local organizations

• Demonstrated success in designing and implementing initiatives aimed at promoting equity, family, and community empowerment in educational settings.

• Strong communication skills (speaking - including presentations - listening, and writing)

• Skill in legislative advocacy, negotiation and persuasion.

• Strong interpersonal skills; demonstrated ability to ethically form and maintain relationships with government officials and government entities.

• Demonstrate high levels of instructional expertise, integrity, honesty, credibility, and the courage to make difficult yet necessary decisions.

• Effective strategic planning capabilities, including establishing long-term vision and goals and aligning/managing activities toward goal fulfillment

• Strong leadership and team building skills, e.g., developing high-performing teams united around a clear vision for serving the District and achieving student success.

• Ability to manage Office operations and budget.

• 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 CPS.

• Ability to define problems, analyze data, and outline valid conclusions and action steps

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.

• Medical Plan Options
• Pharmacy
• Dental
• Vision
• Behavioral Health & EAP
• Employee Wellness Program

• Basic Life Insurance
• Life and Disability Insurance
• Pension Plans
• Supplemental Retirement Plans (403(b) and 457(b))
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
• Spot Pet Insurance

• Paid Leave
• Sick Leave
• Vacation Days
• Parental Leaves
• Short-Term Disability
• Religious Holidays
• Leaves