Senior Program Director – State Chief Liaison

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

📋 Description

• Develop and sustain relationships with key state-level decision-makers (Commissioners, Boards of Education, Deputy Commissioners).

• Provide insights on policy trends and accountability changes affecting assessment and readiness initiatives.

• Act as the policy liaison for ACT in executive discussions, ensuring alignment of ACT solutions with state priorities.

• Shape and influence executive summaries for RFPs and model frameworks to reflect policy priorities.

• Deliver strategic intelligence regarding changes in state education policy and their effects on ACT's offerings.

• Collaborate with Government Relations (GR) to maintain a cohesive message while avoiding duplication of lobbying efforts.

⛳️ Requirements

• Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience in the education sector.

• Experience in a leadership capacity at a State Department of Education, State Higher Education Executive Officers (SHEEO) agency, or State Department of Labor, in positions such as Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner, Assistant Commissioner, Chief of Staff, State Director, or similar executive leadership roles.

• Proven ability to engage and influence senior state officials.

• Comprehensive understanding of state education policies, accountability systems, and governance frameworks.

• Established experience in translating complex policy environments into strategic actions for organizations.

• Outstanding communication skills, particularly in executive-level contexts.

• Willingness to travel frequently (approximately 30%) and manage executive relationships across various states.

• Ability to gain and apply in-depth knowledge of ACT's products and services, including their collective use to provide solutions to state clients.

• Demonstrated capability to influence and engage key state executives.

• Skill in gathering and utilizing competitive intelligence to devise strategies that promote and/or safeguard ACT's interests.

• Proficient in working effectively and developing relationships within the organization.

• Strong communication skills, including the ability to engage effectively across all organizational levels, alongside exceptional presentation skills.

• Strong analytical capabilities with the ability to identify logical solutions to complex challenges.

• Competence in setting goals and priorities and managing tasks to completion.

• Excellent negotiation skills.

• (Bachelor's degree in Education, Business, or a related field), or a combination of both.

🏝️ Benefits

• Company-paid life insurance.

• Medical coverage.

• Dental insurance.

• Vision care.

• Flexible health and dependent spending accounts.

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

• Paid holidays.

• Paid time off.