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