Program Director – State Strategy, Execution

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in Iowa.

📋 Description

• Transform state-specific strategies into collaborative initiatives with designated owners, timelines, and success metrics.

• Oversee the priorities of Senior Directors and SVPs while facilitating cross-functional meetings focused on state strategy.

• Take ownership of tracking and reporting on progress towards state-specific goals.

• Develop and sustain dashboards and reporting tools that highlight goal progress, relationship health, revenue trends, and execution challenges.

• Deliver internal updates regarding the performance of the state portfolio, including risks, successes, and suggested pivots.

• Monitor revenue shortfalls and growth prospects within established state relationships.

• Maintain comprehensive cross-functional plans and synchronize efforts among sales, product, and policy teams.

• Keep track of state policy changes that could impact ACT’s market standing.

• Coordinate efforts across divisions without direct authority and lead collaborative sessions to align priorities and resolve execution disputes.

• Escalate any work that contradicts state strategy and address any organizational or procedural gaps.

• Create resources for state strategy, enhance cross-functional collaboration, identify growth potentials, and establish a leadership reporting schedule.

⛳️ Requirements

• A minimum of 7 years of experience in strategy, program/project management, or cross-functional operations within a matrixed organization.

• Proficient in coordinating complex, multi-stakeholder tasks across teams without direct authority.

• Strong analytical abilities with the capacity to convert data and relationship insights into actionable strategies.

• Experience in developing and maintaining tracking systems, dashboards, or reporting tools tailored for executive audiences.

• Excellent written and verbal communication capabilities.

• Ability to juggle competing priorities and communicate effectively across teams with both diplomacy and directness.

• Strategic thinker with the ability to recognize conflicting priorities and identify missed opportunities.

• Skill in fostering buy-in across divisions through influence rather than authority.

• Strong accountability focus and commitment to follow-through.

• Experience in cross-functional collaboration involving sales, product, policy, and operations.

• Executive-level communication skills for preparing decision-ready summaries for senior leadership.

• Good judgment in independently resolving issues and determining when to escalate matters.

• Bachelor’s degree in education policy, public policy, economics, statistics, data science, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S. without requiring visa sponsorship.

• Experience in K12 education policy, state government relations, or education sales environments is advantageous.

• Previous experience in a chief of staff or similar role is a plus.

• Familiarity with state procurement cycles, education agency relationships, or statewide assessment markets is beneficial.

• Background in revenue operations, sales strategy, or account-based planning is an advantage.

• Experience within or alongside a revenue-generating organization is a plus.

• Completion of the ACT National Career Readiness Certificate is recommended.

• Final candidates will be subject to a criminal background check.

🏝️ Benefits

• Company-paid life insurance.

• Medical insurance.

• Dental insurance.

• Vision insurance.

• Flexible health spending accounts.

• Flexible dependent spending accounts.

• 401(k) retirement savings plan with company match.

• Paid holidays.

• Paid time off.