State of Washington

Compensation

Full Description

The Council is seeking to fill a position for a Senior Director who oversees four divisions at the Washington Student Achievement Council. This recruitment will remain open until a sufficient number of qualified candidates have applied. The first review of applications is expected to occur on October 20, 2025, and will be ongoing. It is in the applicants’ best interest to submit their application materials as early as possible. The hiring manager reserves the right to make a hiring decision at any time. This job posting may be closed at any time without notice. Why work for the Washington Student Achievement Council? At the Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC), we are committed to increasing educational opportunities and attainment in Washington. We believe that every person living in the state of Washington should have access to educational opportunities and be encouraged to pursue education or training beyond high school. To achieve our mission, we: • Lead statewide strategic planning to increase educational attainment. • Administer programs that help people access and pay for college. • Advocate for the economic, social, and civic benefits of higher education. • Learn more about the work of the Washington Student Achievement Council and our equity statement at www.wsac.wa.gov. At WSAC Our programs and policies work with diverse communities to eliminate barriers to people pursuing education beyond high school. As an employer, we strive to hire, cultivate, and retain a competitive workforce that reflects the communities we serve. • We offer flexible/alternative work schedules, wellness activities, and teleworking opportunities. • Eligible employees who are new parents or legal guardians can bring their infant (six weeks to six months) when returning to work. • Employees have access to tuition assistance and tuition waiver programs. • If you have experience advocating for communities of color or others who are experiencing educational inequities, including those directly impacted by the criminal justice system; people who identify as queer, trans, lesbian, gay or bisexual; veterans; and people with disabilities you are strongly encouraged to apply, even if you don’t meet all of the desired/preferred qualification listed. Learn more about WSAC’s mission and our commitment to equity. Our Commitment to Equity About the Position The Senior Director will lead and integrate four key WSAC units to advance Washington’s educational attainment goals and create economic opportunity for all residents: • Strategy & Partnership Team • Regional Partnerships Team • GEAR UP Team • College Access Initiative Team WSAC is seeking a Senior Director, Policy & Programs to provide visionary leadership and oversee four strategic divisions within the agency. This role requires a change-oriented leader who can foster a learner-centered culture and bring deep expertise in K-20 education policy. The Senior Director will be responsible for building and sustaining high-impact partnerships, engaging stakeholders, and guiding strategic vision-setting processes. The ideal candidate embraces continuous evaluation as a tool for ensuring that agency efforts serve all Washingtonians, especially those who have been historically underserved by the state’s educational systems. This role involves close collaboration with WSAC’s Research division and requires a leader who inspires enthusiasm and trust among colleagues and partners. Under the direction of the Deputy Executive Director, the Senior Director will lead WSAC divisions with visionary thinking and strategic foresight, serving as a collaborative leader and effective team builder. The Senior Director will identify and implement opportunities for collaboration and integration within the four divisions overseen by the role, as well as build trust and develop partnerships outside of the agency. To do this, the Senior Director will leverage relationships and collaborative opportunities across national, state, and local education networks. The individual in this role will manage and engage in strategic planning across divisions, continuously grounding division staff in an approach to work that enables learning and adaptation. The ideal candidate is adaptable in complex environments and has a strong commitment to equity and inclusion. Working Conditions This is a full-time, exempt position offering benefits, including healthcare, paid leave, and retirement benefits. The role allows telework; however, Senior Directors are expected to prioritize in-person meetings, support partner relationships, and travel regularly within the state. Some meetings may require time outside the standard five-day workweek. A flexible schedule may be arranged with supervisor approval. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES As a senior leader at WSAC, you’ll guide a talented team, shape statewide education strategies, and build partnerships that expand opportunity for Washington students. Your work will help connect programs, policies, and people to ensure more learners succeed. Strategic Leadership: • Build and manage a mission-driven team that works collaboratively and inclusively. • Set clear strategies that connect the division's work with WSAC’s statewide attainment goals. • Contribute to the development and execution of strategic planning, with a focus on systems-level change and capability building • Lead annual policy analysis and reporting to inform the Governor, Legislature, and Council on trends and priority areas. Change Management & Divisional Integration: • Champion a learner-centric program design that uses data to improve results. • Ensure cross-divisional coordination and integration of grant programs (Regional Challenge, GEAR UP) and outreach initiatives (College Access). • Mentor and coach division leads to adopt agile practices, continuous improvement, and a focus on managing work to get results. Operational Excellence: • Oversee budgeting, performance management, and compliance for multi-year federal and state grants. • Implement and maintain robust monitoring and evaluation systems to track program outcomes and inform iterative improvements. • Drive key results across each of the divisions overseen by the role. • Maintain fidelity to source-document narratives and data, translating complex regional contexts and public datasets into actionable insights. Partnership Development and Agency Outreach: • Cultivate and sustain relationships with school superintendents, campus provosts, Tribal education leaders, and community partners. • Represent WSAC at high-level convenings, policy forums, and statewide coalitions. Required Education, Experience, and Competencies • Master’s degree in education policy, public administration, or a related field OR equivalent combination of education and significant professional experience in policy, government, or nonprofit leadership. • Minimum of 8–10 years of senior management experience in education, government, or nonprofit sectors, with proven success in large-scale program oversight. • Deep understanding of K–20 education systems, policy levers, and statewide attainment challenges—including current policy trends and evidence-based practices. • Experience interpreting and leveraging public datasets (e.g., ACS-ED, OSPI) for strategic planning and reporting. • Demonstrated ability to lead organizational culture change and remain flexible in an environment of changing priorities, instilling a focus on student outcomes and public impact. • A commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion and the ability to translate these values into your role as a Senior Director. • Track record of implementing data-driven practices and continuous improvement methodologies. • Demonstrated ability to take action to earn trust and foster credibility, while continuously learning and growing as a leader. • Proven ability to take action to meet the needs of others by centering relationships, responding with empathy, and aligning resources to support success. • Exceptional presence and interpersonal skills to engage C-suite education leaders, legislative staff, and community advocates. • Strong network or the ability to rapidly build relationships with superintendents, provosts, Tribal leaders, and philanthropic partners. • Excellent written and verbal communication, with experience preparing policy briefs, public presentations, and high-level reports for audiences from diverse backgrounds/experiences. • Skilled facilitator and negotiator, able to align diverse stakeholders around shared goals. • Understanding evaluation terminology and methods for effective program monitoring. Preferred/ Desired Education, Experience, and Competencies • Experience managing federally funded programs (e.g., GEAR UP, TRIO). • Direct experience with community-driven, partnership-based initiatives to create systems change in social institutions such as education or healthcare • Prior success in grant writing and fiscal oversight of multi-year, multi-partner initiatives. • Experience managing large operational budgets in excess of $3 million annually. • Two or more years of research experience To be considered for this position, you must possess the required qualifications listed above. Find this job posting and complete your profile at www.careers.wa.gov. A complete application package includes: • Letter of Application. A letter of application that addresses how you meet the required education and experience described in this announcement. Applications with generic cover letters will be considered nonresponsive and may be eliminated from further consideration. • Resume. A detailed resume including all educational and professional experience. • Writing Sample. Include a policy brief you wrote in a professional or academic setting. • References. A list of names, titles, and current telephone numbers of three (3) professional employment references. • Your responses to the supplemental questions. Please note that before hiring, a background check, including a criminal record history, will be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment, but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the position. QUESTIONS? For questions about this recruitment, email KarenM@wsac.wa.gov. EEO Statement The Washington Student Achievement Council is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all applicants and employees. We are committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. The more inclusive we are, the better our work will be. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons with disabilities, persons over 40 years of age, and veterans are encouraged to apply. If you require accommodation during the application process or would like to receive this job announcement in an alternative format, please contact us at 360.485.1138 or email HumanResources@wsac.wa.gov.