The Koch Associate Program (KAP) is a career accelerator for early to mid-career professionals with a drive to tackle our country’s most pressing challenges in more effective, principled ways. KAP equips associates with the tools, mindsets, and community to succeed as social entrepreneurs—individuals excited to find new and better ways to break barriers and eliminate injustice. Associates spend one day each week engaging in experiential learning with Stand Together Fellowships and work at one of our many partner organizations the rest of the week. Our curriculum is designed to supercharge your development and equip you for long-term success as you seek to have an impact on the problems that prevent people from realizing their potential.
About the Virginia Institute for Public Policy (VIPP)
The Virginia Institute for Public Policy is a 501(c)3 nonprofit, nonpartisan research and education organization committed to advancing individual liberty, personal responsibility, and constitutionally limited government. Through original research, policy development, coalition building, and civic education, we aim to make Virginia a model for freedom, prosperity, and good governance.
Position Summary
The Manager of Education Initiatives coordinates and advances the Institute’s education portfolio, contributing to policy development, legislative engagement, coalition coordination, and programmatic initiatives that expand education opportunity across Virginia.
This position plays a key role in executing VIPP’s education strategy, integrating policy, partnerships, and public engagement to advance parental rights, education transparency, and expanded learning options, including microschools and other innovative models.
This position blends government affairs, coalition leadership, and program execution, working closely with Institute leadership, coalition partners, and communications staff to translate policy priorities into measurable impact across the Commonwealth.
Core Responsibilities
Legislative Strategy & Policy Execution
- Draft, analyze, and advance education legislation and regulatory proposals
- Monitor and interpret legislative and administrative developments impacting education policy
- Develop and execute legislative strategies, including direct engagement with legislators, staff, and executive branch officials
- Prepare policy memos, talking points, testimony, and legislative summaries
Coalition & Stakeholder Management
- Manage and coordinate coalitions aligned around education freedom, including support for initiatives such as microschools and parental rights efforts
- Serve as a key point of contact for coalition partners, helping ensure alignment on priorities, messaging, and strategy
- Facilitate coalition meetings, briefings, and coordinated advocacy efforts
- Cultivate and expand relationships with nonprofits, community leaders, policymakers, and funders
- Identify and engage new partners, including nontraditional allies, to broaden impact
Communications & Public Engagement
- Translate policy priorities—particularly parental rights and education transparency—into clear, compelling messaging for policymakers, partners, and the public
- Author op-eds, policy briefs, reports, and public-facing materials
- Draft communications for supporters, partners, and policymakers
- Coordinate messaging across coalitions and internal teams to ensure consistency and effectiveness
- Support digital and social media efforts to expand reach and engagement
Grassroots & Community Outreach
- Build and mobilize grassroots networks to support education initiatives
- Conduct targeted outreach to families and communities seeking expanded education options
- Develop strategies to increase awareness of parental rights and available education pathways
- Provide guidance and resources to individuals interested in microschools and alternative education models
Fundraising & Organizational Support
- Support development efforts through donor engagement, grant support, and strategic communications
- Assist in cultivating relationships with philanthropic partners and aligned funders
- Contribute to proposals and reporting that demonstrate program impact and growth
Core Competencies
- Education policy and legislative strategy
- Parental rights advocacy and education transparency initiatives
- Coalition management and partnership development
- Government relations and advocacy
- Strategic communications and messaging execution
- Grassroots organizing and community engagement
- Fundraising and stakeholder engagement support
- Working knowledge of digital platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, and X
Qualifications
- Ideally, 4+ years of experience in education policy, legislative processes, and advocacy strategy
- However, open to 2+ years of experience for the right candidate
- Experience in coalition building, stakeholder engagement, or public policy
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to clearly convey complex ideas
- Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects and priorities effectively
- Experience engaging communities and building broad-based support for policy initiatives
- Self-motivated and able to work independently in a remote environment
- Tech-savvy and comfortable with tools such as Google Workspace, Microsoft Office, CRM systems, and communication platforms
- Philosophically aligned with the principles of liberty, free markets, limited government, and the fundamental role of parents in directing their children’s education
Additional Information
- Employment Type: Full-time
- Location: Remote, based in Virginia (Richmond area preferred)
- Travel: In-state and DMV travel required; occasional evening/weekend commitments; ability to travel up to 15% of the time
- Reports To: Director of Alternative Education Opportunities
To Apply
Qualified candidates should submit the following application materials (in order) in one PDF document:
- Resume
- Cover letter detailing your interest, alignment with VIPP’s mission, and relevant experience
- (Optional) Writing sample (e.g., policy memo, legislative testimony, or articles
About Stand Together Fellowships
Stand Together Fellowships believes that diversity in experiences, perspectives, knowledge and ideas fuels creativity, broadens knowledge, and helps drive success. Our admissions office treats all program participants and applicants with honesty, dignity, respect and sensitivity. We welcome all qualified applicants regardless of color, race, religion, religious creed, sex, gender or gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, national origin, citizenship, ethnicity, ancestry, age, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy (including medical needs which may arise from pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), military and veteran status, genetic information, marital or familial status, political affiliation, or any other legally recognized protected basis under federal, state or local laws, regulations or ordinances.
