Senior Director, Workforce Development Policy

Reports to: Senior Vice President, Education. In the interim, this position reports to the Acting Senior Vice President, Education
Staff reporting to this position: Policy Analyst
Department: Education
Position classification: Exempt, full time; Nonunion - Level 8
Minimum compensation: $112,000
Work site: Hybrid (on-site two days per week, Washington, D.C., office)

Summary

American Progress has an immediate opening for a Senior Director of Workforce Development Policy within the Education department. The ideal candidate will be widely experienced in the subject area and is familiar with existing federal, state, and/or local approaches to workforce development, including effective training programs, strengthening community colleges, adult education, career and technical education, and assessing workforce needs related to the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), Inflation Reduction Act, and CHIPS and Science Act (CHIPS). The Senior Director will have a demonstrated ability to develop and advocate for progressive ideas that support higher wages, economic mobility, educational attainment, equity, and the overall competitiveness of the economy. They will partner with policy teams and experts across the organization to ensure that workforce and training is a complement to a wide range of policy goals.

The successful candidate will be guided by American Progress’ mission to improve the lives of all Americans through bold, progressive ideas, as well as strong leadership and concerted action, with the aim of not only changing the conversation but changing the country. The core function of the Senior Director will be to lead research and analysis of workforce development policy, with a lens that maximally advances American Progress’ five crosscutting priorities:

• Building an economy for all
• Restoring social trust in democracy
• Advancing racial equity and justice
• Tackling climate change and environmental injustice
• Strengthening health 

Responsibilities:

• Conduct original research and analysis of workforce development issues.
• Research legislative and administrative workforce development policies, including support for community colleges and workforce development opportunities in major economic policy legislation (the IIJA, Inflation Reduction Act, and CHIPS).
• Engage external stakeholders across workforce development, education, labor, government, philanthropy, community groups, workforce policy organizations, and others to assist in the development, promotion, and dissemination of policy proposals.
• Build and manage a coalition focused on community colleges.
• Develop, implement, and manage the production and distribution of policy proposals and products.
• Maintain expertise in assigned areas of responsibility.
• Manage and supervise staff as required.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements and qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.
• Proven ability to manage a consultative process, developing collaborative projects and working across a wide range of areas to get input and feedback from staff across American Progress on written products.
• Ability to analyze workforce development and labor market challenges and to develop practical, implementable policy solutions to address them.
• Familiarity with the federal policymaking processes and workforce development legislation; policies and programs, such as the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, the National Apprenticeship Act, the Perkins Career and Technical Education Act, and the Higher Education Act; and workforce development opportunities in the IIJA, Inflation Reduction Act, and CHIPS.
• Ability to communicate complex concepts to a wide variety of audiences.
• Ability to work well on a team and to work with staff across different policy disciplines.
• Ability to explain complex policy ideas and data analysis clearly through written, visual, and verbal communication.
• Meticulousness, attention to detail, and the ability to quickly get up to speed on a new policy area or research question.
• Comfort working under pressure and tight deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Flexibility, commitment to working toward broader Education department goals, and the willingness to apply skills across a wide range of issue areas and organizational needs.
• Effective supervisory skills and the ability to manage and mentor staff.
• A track record of thought leadership in the field, likely including experience developing new policy.
• Commitment to American Progress’ mission and goals.

American Progress offers a full and competitive benefit package. Candidates from diverse backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply. This position is not represented by a union and has a minimum salary of $112,000.

American Progress’ hybrid work policy is posted on our Jobs page. Please visit this page for updates. Any changes to this policy will also be communicated at the time of hire.

https://www.americanprogress.org/job/senior-director-early-childhood-policy/