Program Director (Workforce Development, Higher Education, and Economic Policy)

Job Description

Job Description

TITLE : Program Director (Workforce Development, Higher Education, and Economic Policy)
ORGANIZATION : National Governors Association
LOCATION : Washington, DC (onsite)
DURATION : Full Time
POSITION STATUS : Exempt
COMPENSATION : A competitive compensation package will be made to the qualified candidate
REPORTS TO : Managing Director, Center for Best Practices

ORGANIZATION BACKGROUND
Founded in 1908, the National Governors Association is the bipartisan organization of governors from the 55 states, territories and commonwealths. NGA’s mission is to share best practices, address issues of national and state interest, and drive innovative solutions that improve state government and support the principles of federalism.

NGA’s Center for Best Practices is the policy and research arm that helps governors develop and implement solutions to public policy challenges. NGA’s State-Federal Affairs group assists in ensuring the voice of governors are heard in Congress, and the Executive Branch and NGA’s Communications team collaborates with governors’ offices to amplify bipartisan messaging and strategy.

Throughout the year, NGA convenes Governors and senior advisors for meaningful discourse, problem-solving and thought leadership.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE PROGRAM DIRECTOR (WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, HIGHER EDUCATION, AND ECONOMIC POLICY)
The Program Director’s primary responsibilities will be to lead a team that provides support to governors and other state executive branch leaders on a range of issues related to workforce development, higher education, and economic policy. The Program Director will support governors in developing policy principles to inform federal policymaking as well as produce resources to shape the national debate around these policy issues.

Key issues the Program Director will focus on include identifying and developing policy solutions related to workforce development, higher education, and economic development policy and systems at the state and federal levels, work-based talent strategies (such as apprenticeship, service-to-career pathways, and short-term education and training), the impact of AI on the workforce, and the design of workforce pathways for diverse populations (such as youth or those disconnected from the workforce). This role will also address state efforts around workforce program quality, accountability, and performance measurement, as well as credentialling and skills-recognition systems, and help states navigate cross-system alignment across workforce, education, and economic development to expand access to jobs and career opportunities—helping states meet employer and economic needs.

This position requires the Program Director to manage a small staff of policy experts and develop a working knowledge of new issues quickly, execute regular briefings for governors’ staff, lead policy engagements with states, facilitate cross-agency and cross-sector collaboration, and respond to technical questions from governors’ offices on a wide range of policy topics.

The Program Director will be expected to be full-time in Washington, DC.

Other important responsibilities of the Program Director include:

• Overseeing multiple projects and project managers simultaneously, including consultants and subcontracts with states and external partners;
• Overseeing and analyzing project budgets, projecting future spending, and developing financial proposals for potential new efforts;
• Communicating effectively in verbal and written forms, with an ability to communicate clearly with policymaking audiences such as state and federal officials, national experts, and others;
• Designing project concepts and identifying funding for these concepts to enable this team to provide relevant and timely expertise and assistance to governors, their staff and other executive branch leaders, including by writing project concept papers and proposals, building and maintaining relationships with philanthropic, public, corporate, and federal funders, and working with NGA’s Office of Development to support fundraising efforts;
• Demonstrating strong interpersonal skills to effectively work with colleagues, partner organizations, and a variety of high-ranking state and federal officials;
• Managing wide-scale projects with multiple staff and tasks simultaneously, in coordination with a diverse group of stakeholders;
• Organizing and facilitating workshops, conferences, seminars, panel discussions, state strategy sessions and other events;
• Identifying and tracking key issues of concern to governors, develop promising initiatives to address these concerns, and connecting governors’ key staff with other states and national experts who can assist them in addressing these issues;
• Demonstrating a commitment to NGA’s mission and goals to constructively serve the needs of all governors; and
• Other duties as assigned by Center for Best Practices’ President and Managing Director.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• Oversee employees responsible for meeting project goals;
• Set goals for performance, ensure staff are meeting organizational and personal development goals and evaluate staff job results through a performance management system;
• Implement internal control policies and procedures for all program activities (including budgets and deliverables); and
• Oversee employee learning and identify training needs in coordination with the Managing Director, Center for Best Practices and Human Resources.

QUALIFICATIONS
Candidates should have a bachelor’s degree, preferably in public policy or a related field. Candidates should have a minimum of eight to ten years working in areas of policies and programs that are within the portfolio, including expert knowledge of and experience working on issues related to a wide range of workforce, higher education, and economic development policies and programs as detailed under the “Key Responsibilities” paragraph above.

Knowledge and expertise could include helping governors, their staff and their executive branch appointees design and implement evidence-based policies focused on achieving specific outcomes. Experience working with governors, in federal or state agencies, or for non-profit organizations, foundations, or corporations is preferred. Candidates with commensurate lived experience will also be considered.

The ideal candidate will have demonstrated:

• Experience working with high-level state policymakers in a variety of settings;
• Experience in organizing small and large-scale convenings for a variety of functions ranging from collaboration, consensus building, and structured learning opportunities where a candidate will need to possess strong presentation skills, including, at times, serving as subject matter expert and/or panelist;
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to engage effectively with diverse stakeholders to advance objectives;
• Ability to manage budgets on multiple projects with a variety of funding streams, including federal and foundation grants;
• Ability to handle and process information of a highly sensitive and critical nature;
• Capacity to manage a professional team that can work together and independently in a dynamic, changing work environment, as well as the ability to set priorities effectively;
• Skill in conveying essential information clearly and concisely, both in writing and verbally;
• Travel, as necessary.

HOW TO APPLY
Interested candidates should apply online through NGA’s career site. NGA uses Clear Company, and all information is kept strictly confidential. An application is considered when all required fields are completed. Please include:

• Your resume highlighting your education, experience, and direct transferable skills
• A portfolio of your best work (attach to your candidate profile via Clear Company)

COMPENSATION
Salary Range: $150,000 - $190,000 annually. The salary range represents a good faith estimate of the lowest to the highest salary for the position. The final salary offered will be based on qualifications and experience.

PHYSICAL AND SENSORY DEMANDS
Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. NGA is committed to providing a productive and safe environment. To achieve that goal, we conduct background and reference check investigations for all final applicants considered for employment.

WORKING AT THE NATIONAL GOVERNORS ASSOCIATION
NGA staff proudly serve our nation’s governors daily, and it’s our mission to ensure we offer a comprehensive, competitive benefits package, to include healthcare and more, designed to support the needs of NGA employees.

NGA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will be considered without regard to any protected characteristic under applicable law. We encourage individuals of all backgrounds to apply.