Senior Program Director, State Chief Liaison
$120,000–$160,000 year
RemoteUnited States
Job Summary
Build and maintain relationships with state-level decision-makers, including Commissioners, Boards of Education, and Deputy Commissioners. Advise on policy trends and accountability shifts impacting assessment and readiness programs while serving as the policy liaison for executive-level discussions. Influence and guide RFP executive summaries and model frameworks to reflect state priorities, providing strategic intelligence on policy changes. Collaborate with Government Relations to ensure unified messaging and translate complex policy landscapes into actionable business strategies. Monitor legislation via tracking systems, develop strategic initiatives, and convert policy-driven opportunities into state-level pathways and requirements.
Required Qualifications
- At least 10 years of progressively responsible experience in education industry
- Experience serving in a leadership role at a State Department of Education, a State Higher Education Executive Officers (SHEEO) agency, or a State Department of Labor, in roles such as Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner, Assistant Commissioner, Chief of Staff, State Director, or equivalent executive leadership roles
- Demonstrated ability to engage and influence senior state officials
- Deep understanding of state education policy, accountability systems, and governance structures
- Proven experience translating complex policy landscapes into strategic organizational action
- Exceptional communication skills, especially in executive-level environments
- Ability to travel frequently (approx. 30%) and manage executive relationships across multiple states
- Ability to gain and apply in depth product knowledge of ACT's products and services, including how the products and services are collectively used to provide solutions to state customers
- Demonstrated ability to influence and engage key state executives
- Ability to gather and use competitive intelligence to create strategies that advance and/or protect ACT's interests
- Ability to work effectively and build relationships with individuals within the organization
- Strong communication skills including ability to communicate effectively across all levels in the organization, as well as outstanding presentation skills
- Strong analytical abilities and the ability to determine logical solutions to complicated problems
- Ability to set goals and priorities and manage to completion
- Strong negotiation skills
- Bachelor's degree in Education, Business, or related area of study, or a combination of both
- Completion of the ACT National Career Readiness Certificate
- Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S. without the need for visa sponsorship
- Finalists for this position will be subject to a criminal background check as a condition of employment
Desired Qualifications
- Assessment industry experience
- Account management or sales experience
- Previous experience and demonstrated success leading, managing, and building teams
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