Area Director, Chicago School Board Election
Reports To: OSA Campaign Manager
Position Type: Full-Time, Exempt
Location: Chicago, IL
Organization: Our Schools Action Chicago
Summary
Our Schools is seeking five Area Directors to lead electoral campaign operations across Chicago's school board districts. Each Area Director will be assigned to one geographic region, overseeing all campaign activities within that area — including candidate management, field operations, voter contact, and community relationship-building.
Area Directors work in close coordination with the School Board Campaign Manager and peer Area Directors to execute a unified, coalition-wide campaign strategy. This is a senior field leadership role ideal for an experienced organizer or campaign professional who is deeply connected to Chicago communities and committed to education equity.
Organization Overview
This year, Chicagoans have the opportunity to elect their representatives on the 21 member Chicago Public Schools Board of Education. We have a chance to make history by electing a progressive slate of candidates endorsed by a coalition of community, political and labor organizations dedicated to a just and equitable education system. Our Schools Action Chicago is committed to a vision of an education system where every student in Chicago — regardless of their race, income, or zip code receives access to fully resourced, equitable, safe, and healthy public schools.
Position Responsibilities
The following responsibilities apply to all Area Director positions across all five regions:
Serve as the primary campaign lead for all endorsed candidates running in assigned districts.
Manage candidate relationships, providing strategic guidance, scheduling support, and regular check-ins.
Oversee all field operations in the region, including canvassing, phone banking, and voter ID programs.
Supervise assigned Field Directors and Volunteer Coordinators, setting goals and ensuring data hygiene.
Cultivate and maintain relationships with community organizations, faith communities, parent groups, and local stakeholders.
Develop and execute a localized voter contact strategy tailored to each district's demographics and priorities.
Track and report voter contact data, volunteer recruitment, and campaign milestones to the Our Schools team.
Coordinate with the Communications team on district-level messaging and earned media opportunities.
Represent candidates at community events, forums, and coalition meetings within the region.
Identify and escalate issues or opportunities specific to the region in a timely manner.
Primary Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Minimum of three years of experience in electoral field organizing or campaign management.
Demonstrated experience supervising staff and managing volunteers in a campaign setting.
Strong knowledge of Chicago neighborhoods and communities, particularly within the preferred region.
Proficiency with voter file tools such as VAN and data-driven field organizing.
Strong interpersonal skills and ability to build trust with diverse community stakeholders.
Excellent organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
Experience developing and executing voter contact plans.
Secondary Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Prior experience on school board or education-focused campaigns.
Background in labor, community organizing, or issue advocacy.
Bilingual language skills aligned to the preferred region's community (see regional notes above).
Familiarity with restorative practices, education equity, and community schools models.
Experience working with coalition partners and civil rights organizations.
Regional Groupings
Applicants should indicate their preferred region(s) when applying. Candidates with strong geographic knowledge, community ties, or language skills aligned to a specific region are encouraged to note this in their application.
Southwest SideBilingual fluency in English and Spanish strongly preferred.
Little Village, Pilsen, Brighton Park, Back of the Yards, and Gage Park, extending to nearby southwest suburbs.
South Side
Englewood, Auburn Gresham, Hyde Park, South Shore, and Roseland, extending to nearby south suburbs.
West Side / Near North
Austin, Lawndale, Garfield Park, West Town, and Bronzeville, spanning from the Near North Side through the West Side.
Northwest SideBilingual fluency in English and Spanish strongly preferred.
Logan Square, Avondale, Albany Park, Portage Park, and Humboldt Park, extending to nearby northwest suburbs.
Northeast Side
Rogers Park, Edgewater, Lincoln Square, Lakeview, and Lincoln Park.
**Salary Range: $**6,000 - $7,000/month, commensurate with experience
Duration: Through November 2026, with potential to extend through March 2027
Application Process:
Fill out this form ** by Friday, June 12th**
Screening/first round interview
Second round interview
Reference Checks
Anticipated start date: ASAP or by July 1st