Senior Director for Policy and Programs

The Council is seeking to fill a position for a Senior Director who oversees four divisions at the Washington Student Achievement Council.

• 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
• Champion a learner-centered 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
• 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
• 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

• 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
• 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

• Flexible/alternative work schedules
• Wellness activities
• Teleworking opportunities
• Tuition assistance and tuition waiver programs
• Eligible employees who are new parents or legal guardians can bring their infant (six weeks to six months) when returning to work
• Employee wellness programs
• Paid leave
• Retirement benefits

The Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC) is 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.