Director of State and District Policy

Who We Are

The [Employer] (the [Employer]) is a national nonprofit and field builder with the mission of improving lives by empowering K-12 students with essential skills and dispositions [Employer] making better decisions. Founded in 2014 and backed by experts in [Employer] sciences, business, and [Employer]—including several Nobel laureates—the [Employer] believes that better decisions lead to better lives and a better society.

As a field builder, the [Employer] partners with teachers, academic and business leaders, families, and community members to raise awareness and lead the growing call to have [Employer] [Employer] taught in schools across the country.

The [Employer] is committed to an inclusive, supportive, and collaborative culture. Our diverse team comprises educators, researchers, subject matter experts, and other professionals dedicated to our mission. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer.

What We Offer

The [Employer] offers a comprehensive total rewards package, inclusive of competitive compensation.

Annual Salary:

• $140,000 - 160,000 per year, commensurate with experience and qualifications*

Benefits:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance (100% employer-paid)
• Basic life insurance and AD&D (100% employer-paid)
• Short-term disability insurance (100% employer-paid)
• Long-term disability insurance (100% employer-paid)
• Employee Assistance Program
• 401(k) retirement plan with up to a 5% employer match (100% vested)
• Flexible Spending Accounts (healthcare and dependent care)
• Up to 20 days of Paid Time Off per calendar year (prorated the first year based on hire date)
• Unlimited paid sick time
• Hybrid work schedule
• Paid lunch stipend while working on-site

*Salary range is a good-faith estimate based on external benchmarking, internal equity, and industry standards and may vary based on qualifications and experience. Benefits are subject to change at the organization’s discretion.

JOB OVERVIEW

The Director of State and District Policy is a senior role responsible [Employer] advancing the [Employer]’s state and national policy agenda through state and district engagement, policy-aligned outreach, and coalition and stakeholder activities that advance [Employer] [Employer]. This position focuses on building awareness and scaling [Employer] [Employer] implementation through network expansion, policy development, relationship-building, and communication with policymakers, external partners, and internal teams.

This role will report to the Director of Public Policy within the Public Policy Department.

LOCATION AND SCHEDULE

This full-time role requires an 8-hour workday and a 40-hour workweek. It is an exempt position under the FLSA and is not eligible [Employer] overtime pay.

This position is open to local and remote candidates. Local employees follow the [Employer] hybrid schedule, working onsite at our Bala Cynwyd, PA, headquarters every Tuesday and Wednesday and remotely on Monday, Thursday, and Friday. Fully remote employees are expected to maintain a productive home-based workspace and stay engaged with the team during Eastern Time business hours. Leadership-level remote employees are expected to be onsite once every month on both designated in-office days. The role requires 15-30 percent travel [Employer] state and district leadership engagements, national and regional conferences, and internal and all-staff meetings at organization headquarters.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

State and District Engagement

• Lead state and district engagement efforts to advance the adoption and implementation of [Employer] [Employer] in K–12 schools nationwide.
• Build and maintain strategic relationships with superintendents, curriculum directors, state [Employer] officials, and other [Employer] leaders to expand implementation opportunities and build a pipeline of state and district leaders.
• Collaborate with the [Employer] team to design and pilot multiple pathways [Employer] integrating [Employer] [Employer] into classroom instruction across subject areas, including mathematics, career and technical [Employer] (CTE), college and career exploration, social studies, and English language arts.
• Develop and execute state and district engagement strategies, including a ladder of engagement that supports [Employer] systems at varying levels of readiness [Employer] implementation and scale.
• Co-design state and district policies to codify [Employer] [Employer] in K-12 systems and collaborate with the Deputy Director of Public Policy, Legislative Engagement to ensure policies are adopted through necessary state and district channels.
• Represent the [Employer] at state, regional, and national convenings of [Employer] system leaders, building awareness of and interest in the [Employer] and classroom implementation of [Employer] [Employer].
• Establish and apply criteria [Employer] prioritizing state and district engagement based on implementation readiness, existing relationships, demonstrated interest, and alignment with current [Employer] policies.
• Identify opportunities to align [Employer] [Employer] with state and district priorities, curriculum frameworks, and existing educational initiatives.
• Engage current and past Policymaker Fellows in the design and implementation of legislation, regulations, and pilot programs in collaboration with the Senior Manager, Public Policy.

Strategic Planning and Management

• Build state and district policy and pilot implementation plans with the Director of Public Policy, [Employer] team staff, and national and regional partners.
• Support the development and monitoring of department-level Objectives and Key Results (OKRs) related to state and district policy development and adoption.
• Collaborate with the Communications team, the Director of Public Policy, and other teams to design research briefings and public-facing toolkits that shape the national narrative around the importance of [Employer] [Employer] in K-12 [Employer] policy.
• Support senior‑level relationship management with key strategic policy leaders, including preparing [Employer], aligning, and following up on high‑value engagements.
• Collaborate with internal teams to ensure public policy activities are aligned, supported, and communicated effectively.
• Represent the [Employer] at events, conferences, and in key coalitions and coordinated advocacy campaigns.

These responsibilities may change or expand over time, consistent with the organization’s needs and initiatives.

JOB QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Requirements

• 10+ years of progressive experience leading [Employer] policy, public policy formulation, and state and district [Employer] initiatives.
• Deep expertise in state and district [Employer] processes and governance, standards-aligned [Employer], and educator professional development.
• Experience contributing to strategic planning and organizational alignment.
• Experience managing complex cross-sector initiatives, [Employer] policy campaigns, and district- and state-wide initiatives.
• Strong project management skills, including experience tracking goals and metrics.
• Ability to represent the [Employer] at conferences, executive-level meetings, and national events.
• Experience using a CRM system.
• Excellent communication, judgment, and organizational skills.

Preferred Requirements

• Experience in a national nonprofit or mission‑driven organization.
• Demonstrated ability to build trusted relationships with policymakers, district staff, and [Employer] leaders.
• Experience navigating complex [Employer] policy initiatives involving multiple stakeholders.
• Interest in [Employer] science, behavioral economics, psychology, cognitive science, or related fields.

ATTRIBUTES WE VALUE

• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and relationship‑building skills
• Strong analytical thinking, problem‑solving ability, and sound judgment
• Effective leadership skills with the ability to guide, mentor, and collaborate across teams
• Respectful, collegial, and highly collaborative working style
• Intellectually humble, open‑minded, innovative, strategic, and adaptable
• Growth‑minded, intellectually curious, and committed to continuous learning
• Highly organized, diligent, reliable, professional, and efficient
• Demonstrated initiative, independence, and the ability to work productively with minimal oversight
• Strong time‑management skills and the ability to meet deadlines in a fast‑paced environment
• Passionate about the mission and motivated to contribute to organizational success
• Detail‑oriented with the ability to manage multiple priorities effectively
• Reflects the [Employer]’s core values and standards: Humanism: valuing others as human beings
• Rationality: thinking and skills to help answer “What is true?” and “What to do?”
• [Employer]: growth mindset; dedication to developing knowledge and skills
• Conscientiousness: diligent work ethic; professionalism; high‑quality work
• Initiative: owners’ and founders’ mentality; leadership skills
• Mission Alignment: dedication to the organization’s mission and goals

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• Employment is contingent upon completing Form I‑9 and verifying authorization to work in the United States, as required by federal law.
• Successful completion of the pre‑employment screening process.
• Compliance with all organizational policies and procedures.
• Ability to understand and demonstrate safe work practices to ensure a safe work environment.
• Complete special projects and other duties as assigned.

Physical and Environmental Demands

• Primarily desk‑based work involving sitting at a workstation
• Occasional walking, standing, or lifting/carrying up to 10 lbs
• Frequent hand and finger dexterity [Employer] typing, writing, and handling objects
• Ability to perform essential job functions with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Ability to travel 15–30 percent, including overnight travel, [Employer] state and district engagements, conferences, and headquarters meetings, with or without reasonable accommodation.
• The [Employer] is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions, including the use of assistive technologies

This role is based in the United States. Applicants must have authorization to work in the U.S. and must not require current or future visa sponsorship.

The [Employer] is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to creating an inclusive environment [Employer] all employees. We will consider all qualified applicants [Employer] employment based on merit, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, ancestry, or veteran status.

Employment with the [Employer] is at will, meaning either the employee or the organization may terminate the employment relationship at any time, with or without cause or notice.

Originally posted on [Employer]