Manager, K-12 State Policy – Implementation Strategy

Job Description:

• Own and advance the organization’s state policy agenda
• Translate and design policy to advance the organization’s education reform agenda
• Develop playbooks, toolkits, frameworks, and guidance documents for state legislators, agency staff, policymakers, and practitioners
• Monitor and assess state legislation, regulations, and State Board of Education actions
• Work with state legislators, legislative staff, state Department of Education officials, and allied education advocacy organizations
• Partner with implementation and monitoring experts to translate policy frameworks into actionable guidance
• Support state legislative offices and agency leaders navigating policy proposals
• Design and conduct interviews, focus groups, and structured stakeholder conversations
• Synthesize qualitative findings into actionable insights and policy products
• Coordinate state strategy with programs, legislative advocacy, and federal policy teams
• Represent the organization at conferences, coalition meetings, and meetings with state legislators and agency officials

Requirements:

• 5-7 years of experience in education policy
• Experience inside a state Department of Education office is ideal; experience at a state legislature, think tank, or advocacy organization is welcome
• Experience translating policy into practical guidance for policymakers, such as playbooks, frameworks, or toolkits
• Experience with qualitative research methods, including designing interview protocols, conducting interviews or focus groups, and synthesizing findings
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills
• Strong project management skills and ability to manage multiple concurrent state policy workstreams independently
• Federal policy exposure is a plus but not required
• Postgraduate degree in public policy, education, or a related field is preferred but not required for candidates with a strong record of experience

Benefits:

• Health, vision, and dental coverage
• Flexible spending plan
• Life insurance
• Short- and long-term disability insurance
• 401K plan with a match
• Paid family leave
• Paid time off, including vacation, sick time, floating holidays, and all national holidays