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
  • 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

If you are a motivated, self-starting professional passionate about public policy, civic engagement, and expanding education freedom in Virginia, we encourage you to apply.

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 article)

Applications should be submitted to Talent Market via this link: talentmarket.org/apply-for-your-dream-job/.

Questions can be directed to Angela Hight, Project Manager, who is managing the search process: [email protected].

There is no application deadline for this position. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. This job will remain posted on our site until it is filled.

While we thank all applicants in advance for their interest in this position, we are only able to contact those to whom we can offer an interview. Only direct applications will be considered. No phone calls, please.

Talent Market is a nonprofit entity dedicated to promoting liberty by helping free-market nonprofits identify talent for critical roles. We provide consulting and recruiting services at no cost to 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations that clearly and directly focus on advancing the principles of economic freedom, free enterprise, free trade, free speech, property rights, rule of law, and limited regulation.