Jobs

Deputy Director of Higher Education

The Hunt Institute’s mission is to provide unbiased research, technical expertise, and learning
opportunities that equip and empower educators and policymakers to drive equitable reforms
and become audacious champions for education.
Since its establishment in 2001, The Institute has emerged as a recognized and credible leader
in the movement to transform American public education and a go-to source for reliable,
objective, and timely information. The Institute works at the intersection of education policy
and politics, supporting state and national officials and empowering them to drive education
reform. Its mandate is to inspire and equip elected officials and senior policymakers to make
informed decisions that improve the lives of all children. The Institute’s primary audience
consists of governors, legislators, and other elected and state-level policymakers.
Position
The Deputy Director of Higher Education (DDHE) will play a pivotal role in advancing The Hunt
Institute’s strategy to support policymakers and practitioners who seek to help students access
higher education, successfully pursue and attain a certificate or degree, and enter the
workforce. The Deputy Director will help to promote and diversify funding; continue to raise
The Institute’s profile through external communications and partnerships to help build a
broader, more innovative portfolio of The Institute’s Higher Education programs and offerings.
The Deputy Director will report directly to the Director of Higher Education. The Deputy
Director will be based out of The Institute’s office in Cary, North Carolina.
Responsibilities
• Provide higher education subject matter expertise to position The Hunt Institute as the
go-to call for policymakers on education policy.
• Supervise the development of agendas for national programming and higher education
team specific programming; identify and approve resource experts; and ensure the
quality of all related materials.
• Maintain project schedules and timelines, delegating tasks, identifying dependencies,
and driving awareness and crisp execution against major due dates.
• Supervise and mentor direct-report staff, including communicating clear expectations,
setting performance objectives, establishing a supportive environment while
emphasizing accountability, providing regular and timely constructive performance
feedback, and leading documented semi-annual performance reviews.
• With support from the Director and members of the leadership team, support a strategy
for all Institute postsecondary initiatives.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with executive-level higher education leaders
nationally.
• Accept and complete any other task or duty as assigned.
Qualifications
• Commitment to The Hunt Institute’s mission and vision, alongside a passion for
challenging entrenched systems of educational inequity and bettering public education
for all children.
• Exceptional project management skills with a proven track record of moving complex
projects from big ideas through to implementation.
• Experience successfully executing large events.
• Experience working for political campaigns, PACs, advocacy campaigns, or political
committees a plus.
• Ability to engage diverse audiences, including senior-level elected officials, both as a
discussion moderator and in one-on-one conversation.
• Ability and willingness to both identify obstacles and build systems and structures to
overcome them.
• A strong work ethic, with a results-oriented philosophy and personal qualities of
trustworthiness, openness, accessibility, kindness, flexibility, and a sense of humor.
• Ability to handle multiple assignments and meet deadlines.
• Ability to pay attention to accuracy and detail while thinking broadly.
• Bachelor’s degree is required; an advanced degree is preferred.
• Minimum of five years demonstrated program management experience and leadership.
• Ability to travel (anticipated 25%).
Ideal candidates will also demonstrate:
• Knowledge of state and national P-16 education policy.
• Resourcefulness and good judgment.
• Leadership by example.
• The value of diversity of thought, backgrounds, and perspectives.
• Integrity/ethics beyond reproach.
• Constant seeking to apply best practices.
• Willingness to work collaboratively and consider new ideas.
• Commitment to The Institute’s mission, vision, financial stability, and success.
Equal Employment Opportunity
At the Hunt Institute, Equal Employment Opportunity is our commitment and goal. All qualified
candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin,
gender, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, marital status or any other
protected status designated by federal, state or local law. Applicants are encouraged to
confidentially self-identify when applying. Employment is contingent upon successful
completion of a reference and background investigation.
Benefits and Compensation
The Hunt Institute offers competitive compensation and an attractive benefits package,
including health, dental and vision and a 401(k) plan with an employer matching contribution
policy.
We feel passionately about equal pay for equal work, and transparency in compensation is one
vehicle to achieve that. The salary recruitment range for this position is: $85,000 – $93,465.

To apply, please click here. Complete the online application and submit a cover letter, along with a résumé and a writing sample (no more than 5 pages; sections from a longer paper can be submitted). Positions are open until filled. No phone calls, please.

Job posted: 2023-08-25