NEOGOV · 3 months ago
Senior Director for Policy and Programs
Thurston County – Olympia, WA
Full-time
Hybrid
Director/Executive
$170K/yr - $170K/yr
8+ years expNEOGOV is committed to increasing educational opportunities in Washington and is seeking a Senior Director for Policy and Programs. This role involves overseeing four divisions focused on educational attainment goals, building partnerships, and providing strategic leadership to ensure effective program outcomes.
GovTechHuman ResourcesInformation TechnologySoftware
Responsibilities
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-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
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
Qualification
Required
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
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
Benefits
Flexible/alternative work schedules
Wellness activities
Teleworking opportunities
Tuition assistance
Tuition waiver programs
Medical (including vision) insurance
Dental insurance
Basic life insurance
Long-term disability insurance
Dependent care assistance
Washington State Employee Assistance Program
Retirement benefits
Deferred Compensation Program
Public Service Loan Forgiveness
Paid holidays
Sick leave
Vacation (Annual Leave)
Military leave
Bereavement leave
Leave Sharing
Parental Leave
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
Leave Without Pay
Company
NEOGOV
NEOGOV is the leading provider of workforce management software uniquely designed for the public sector, education, and public safety.
501-1000 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageTotal Funding
$700MKey Investors
Warburg Pincus
2025-07-28Secondary Market· $700M
2025-07-28Acquired
2021-06-02Private Equity
Leadership Team
Shane Evangelist
CEO
Brandon McDonald
Head Of Marketing
Recent News
Canada NewsWire
2025-11-14
2025-11-14
Government Technology US
2025-10-31
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