State Policy Director, Postsecondary Education

Commit Partnership is seeking a detail-oriented, solutions-based leader to join the Policy & State Coalitions Team to play a crucial role in advancing systemic change with emphasis on advocacy to state legislators and agencies. Commit’s Policy & State Coalitions team has played an integral role in passage of several pieces of meaningful legislation at the state level to improve student outcomes, including historic community college finance reform in the 2023 Texas legislative session that shifted funding from enrollment to performance outcomes with equitable weighting for students who need additional support.  

Under the direction of the Managing Director of Policy & State Coalitions, the Director of Postsecondary Education will work closely with all members of the Commit team, particularly the Communications team and the Analytics & Insights team, and will manage two staff members. A critical part of this role is partnering with Commit’s programmatic initiatives including Dallas County Promise, Texas Impact Network, and Dallas Thrives among others to understand their work and what legislative and regulatory changes can support their efforts. The director will collaborate with the other members of the Policy Team to research, develop, advocate for and implement policy priorities at the state level that support Commit’s true north goal and programmatic initiatives. This role will partner closely with the State Policy Director, Early Childhood and PK-12 Education to foster a positive and supportive team culture, share resources, and ensure a coherent policy strategy from early childhood to postsecondary achievement. 

Job Responsibilities: 

• Policy agenda formation 
• Work with the internal policy team and programmatic partners as well as key external stakeholders and coalitions to develop, refine and execute a state-level postsecondary policy agenda (both regulatory and legislative) that improves student outcomes, closes student achievement gaps, and increases workforce readiness. 
• Determine relevant rulemaking opportunities, and monitor opportunities for other regulatory or legislative engagement. 
• Develop a strategy to mobilize broad and diverse coalitions to support these policy priorities, including strategies for interim charge approval and hearings, rulemaking opportunities and other opportunities as made available. 
• Work with the Communications team to develop and activate relevant communications strategies.
• Relationship Management 
• Develop and maintain trusted relationships with legislative leaders, staff, and relevant agency staff and leadership. 
• Build strategic relationships and alliances with senior leaders from programmatic initiatives and other partners statewide who are involved in similar policy priorities or are stakeholders.
• Establish, facilitate and mobilize coalitions as needed. Provide regular communication and updates so partners are aware of progress and can provide input. Build consensus on policy recommendations to share with agencies/legislators.
• Equip advocacy partners to influence and advise on postsecondary policies at the state level.
• Provide communication and enhance knowledge among the general public about the policy agenda: presenting to Chambers, grassroots organizations, etc.
• Supervise relevant team members and assist with team strategy
• Manage junior members of the Policy & State Coalitions team. 
• Co-create goals, coach, provide annual reviews and professional development. 
• Support with hiring, onboarding and training of new Policy staff.
• Support strategic planning and goal-tracking for Policy & State Coalitions team.
• Oversee team budget with Managing Director. 

Qualifications and Experience:

• 7+ years of work experience preferred, with at least 4 years in a postsecondary education policy and/or public policy role advocating to the state Legislature and/or relevant agencies
• Strong interpersonal communication skills, both written and oral, including group facilitation and public speaking
• BA/BS degree in a related field; Master’s degree a plus
• Demonstrated experience in postsecondary education and/or workforce policy and knowledge of the Texas legislative process; knowledge of Commit-specific public postsecondary education and workforce policies a plus
• Ability to build strong, trusting relationships with key internal and external stakeholders
• Ability to communicate complex ideas and strategies in a simple, motivating way
• A team player who works nimbly across the organization and team with humility and urgency
• Strong project management skills, attention to detail and follow-through 

The Commit Partnership is looking for a State Policy Director for Postsecondary Ed in Dallas, TX to set the higher education policy agenda for the ‘25 Texas Legislative Session. Apply at: bit.ly/StatePolicyDir. Learn more at: bit.ly/HigherEDInfo.