Director of Higher Education, State Policy

Arnold Ventures Overview

Arnold Ventures is a philanthropy whose core objective is to maximize opportunity and minimize injustice. We are dedicated to tackling some of the most pressing problems in the United States. We invest in sustainable change, building it from the ground up based on research, deep thinking, and a strong foundation of evidence. We drive public conversation, craft policy, and inspire action through education and advocacy.

Position Overview

A quality postsecondary credential is one of the surest paths to economic mobility, particularly for people of color and those who grew up in low-income families. However, students who start but don’t complete college, or who earn only a low-quality degree or certificate, can end up worse off, especially those who took on debt to pay for their education. While the higher education field has made progress in expanding access and, to some extent, improving completion, many programs and institutions still fail to serve students or steward public resources effectively. More work must be done to shift policies and incentives to ensure that investments in higher education pay off for both students and taxpayers.

Arnold Ventures’ Higher Education initiative aims to advance policies that promote value and quality in higher education. We prioritize improving student outcomes, especially for those traditionally underserved, and ensuring public dollars are spent effectively and efficiently. We work with teams of experts from inside and outside government and across disciplines to improve the return on investment of higher education through research, evidence, testing innovative pilot programs, litigation, policy change, and advocacy.

Arnold Ventures seeks a director to grow its state policy and grantmaking capacity and advance its policy priorities on higher education issues. The Director will deepen and expand our emerging state strategy; manage a portfolio of state-focused grants; lead state policy development efforts; and partner with state-based grantees, experts, policymakers, and the AV Advocacy team to drive lasting policy change in states. The Director will report to the Vice President of Higher Education and will be based in any of Arnold Ventures’ offices (Houston, Washington, DC, or New York City).

Core Responsibilities

• Work with Arnold Ventures’ Vice President of Higher Education and other team members to identify opportunities for state policy reform and develop a strategy to advance key higher education priorities in targeted states.
• Develop and manage a portfolio of state higher education grants aligned with AV’s strategy.
• Research, analyze, and draft white papers, fact sheets, and other public-facing materials to support policy and advocacy efforts.
• Develop and manage relationships with key stakeholders, grantees, and partners in states.
• Provide technical assistance to policymakers on areas of AV policy interest.
• Represent Arnold Ventures at conferences, panels, and media engagements.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in public policy or a related field.
• At least 8 years of relevant work experience.
• Proven success in policy development and advocacy, including experience working in or with state government.
• Experience building and managing coalitions and strategic relationships with diverse groups and interests.
• Creativity and rigor in solving complex problems.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, with the ability to craft concrete policy solutions and communicate them to both content experts and diverse, nontechnical audiences.
• Strong leadership, project management, and organizational skills.
• Strong people management and relationship-building skills.

Salary Range

The salary range for this position is $145,000-$200,000.

Benefits Overview

Arnold Ventures provides a comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees, including:

• 100% paid employee premiums for medical, dental, vision, basic life, and short- and long-term disability insurance.
• 20 days of paid time off, 16 paid holidays (including a winter break from December 24 to January 1), and a 9/80 schedule from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
• Paid parental leave.
• 401k retirement savings plan with an employer match, profit-share contribution, and immediate vesting.
• Pre-tax transit benefits.
• Professional development stipend.
• Charitable giving stipend.
• Employee assistance program.

Our Culture and Core Values

Our culture seeks to inspire and empower our people to innovate and develop bold ideas that help Arnold Ventures achieve lasting impact. The following are examples of our work culture:

• Adaptable and comfortable with ambiguity.
• Intellectually curious, open-minded, objective, humble, collegial, and receptive to feedback.
• Action-oriented with strong self-direction and self-motivation, able to work on multiple projects simultaneously.
• Confident and collaborative in interactions with team members, external experts, government leaders, advocates, and individuals.

Arnold Ventures’ values reflect who we are as an organization. They help us accelerate our strategic goals, strengthen our resolve, and guide our decision-making. The successful candidate will demonstrate these core values:

• Respect for Ourselves & Others.
• Audacious Action.
• Collaborative Engagement.
• Depth of Thought.
• Clear Communication.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Arnold Ventures is an equal opportunity employer committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender identity or expression, marital status, sexual orientation, disability, military/veteran status, or any other basis prohibited by law.

Acknowledging the importance of diverse perspectives, Arnold Ventures is committed to employing individuals from various backgrounds and experiences. Members of historically marginalized communities and candidates who have been impacted by the systems we seek to change are strongly encouraged to apply.

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