Program Director, State Government Relations

About the Job

At ACT Your Work Makes a Difference

Education has power – a power that changes lives forever. It creates opportunities that lift up individuals, their families, and sparks societal change that echoes through generations to come. From our grassroots, we have fought the good fight for inclusivity in education, and we remain devoted to helping anyone who struggles to access that power. This is what matters to us, and we must do better — we’ve never been more sure of our purpose.

ACT Education Corp. team members are part of an organization dedicated to an important mission: helping people achieve education and workplace success. Advancing the mission internally, by helping team members achieve education and workplace success of their own, is core to our values. ACT values a diverse workplace and is committed to fostering an inclusive environment in which every team member has equal opportunity to grow.

We want our team members to have the well-being and confidence they need to do their best work, in an environment where both they and the company thrive. To support this, our total rewards include company-paid life insurance, medical, dental, vision, flexible spending accounts, 401(k) with company contributions, paid holidays, paid time off, and more. You can find a comprehensive list of our benefits here.

You will be joining a team that aligns ACT solutions with state goals and initiatives, fosters relationships with decision-makers, and advances and defends the organization’s interests with state legislators, governors’ offices, and other state officials in multiple states simultaneously.

The Program Director, State Government Relations will develop and execute a strategic multi-state outreach and lobbying plan that grows and retains state revenue. This role will represent, advance, and grow revenue through ACT’s government relations agenda with elected officials and government decision-makers, primarily at the state and local level in key states. You will work both internally and with external partners to identify, develop, implement, and effectuate advocacy, outreach, and lobbying strategies to secure state policies, legislation, funding, or administrative actions that foster existing business lines or lead to new opportunities for ACT solutions.

Additionally, this position works with a variety of ACT staff to understand complex state relationships, build relationships, and understand the specific policy needs of states through interactions that support the delivery and growth of ACT’s products and services. The role targets state budgets and legislative appropriations.

Salary Range: $115,000 to $135,000 annually (commensurate with qualifications). Incentive eligible.

Location: Remote, United States.

Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S. without visa sponsorship.

What You Will Be Working On

Develop and manage relations with state entities including Governors’ Offices, State Legislatures, Jurisdictional Agencies, and State Boards of Education

Serve as the lead state lobbyist responsible for outreach and execution of the state strategy in assigned states

Plan, execute, and attain state revenue goals targeting budgets and legislative appropriations

Work with legislators and lobbyists to maintain current legislation that supports ACT State Contracts and grows revenue

Introduce new legislation to support ACT State Contracts and drive revenue

Suppress and defeat proposed legislation by competitors that would be detrimental to ACT

Monitor, analyze, and communicate impacts of state legislation or regulations

Serve as a member of internal teams in support of strategic state goals

Develop relationships with ACT departments and leadership to identify operational issues requiring legislative action

Work with RFP teams to provide insight into strategy and responses

Assist State Partnerships in developing comprehensive State Plans

Analyze competitive intelligence and develop strategies for future business opportunities from a policy perspective

Provide leadership, problem-solving, and decision-making support to state clients

Deliver excellent customer service and professional communication to external audiences

Maintain strict compliance with all applicable lobbying, reporting, and gift laws

Role Progression

At 3 Months:

Become familiar with ACT products and funding process for state contracts

Establish relationships across the organization

Learn the policy-making process and timelines in assigned states

At 6 Months:

Align ACT programs with the stated goals of governors and legislators

Take ownership of assigned states and implement strategies

Monitor legislation via tracking system and document actions

At 12 Months:

Achieve successful outcomes through legislative and Governor-led initiatives

Secure 1:1 meetings with Governor’s Offices and state officials

Obtain testimony from stakeholders in support of ACT, and/or testify in legislative hearings

Minimum Requirements

7+ years’ experience including:

State lobbying and engagement

State sales with revenue generation success

Strong knowledge of state legislative processes

Knowledge of sales cycles and planning for revenue goals

In-depth knowledge of ACT products and services

Strong understanding of education, workforce development, and assessment industries

Proven track record of introducing legislation leading to contracts

Knowledge of competitors and market perceptions

Excellent presentation, relationship, and analytical skills

Computer proficiency (word processing, spreadsheets, database, CRM)

Problem-solving, goal-setting, and campaign management skills

Strong negotiation skills

Ability to travel 25–50% domestically

Preferred Qualifications

Multi-state lobbying in education and/or workforce sectors

Previous state contract, account management, or sales experience

Experience in state procurement processes

Experience working with State Department of Education GR staff

About ACT

When ACT was founded in 1959, it disrupted the assessment industry with a new approach to helping students understand their readiness so they could improve it. By leveraging our expertise and authority in assessment and research, we will again disrupt the industry — helping more people learn, measure progress, and navigate life’s transitions.

More than ever before, ACT is fulfilling its mission of helping people achieve education and workplace success by pushing the boundaries of learning innovation through the work of our team members.

We know transformation comes with challenges, which is why ACT invests in experiences for team members to connect, explore, learn from customers, and celebrate success.

Learn more at act.org.

Equal Opportunity Employer

ACT is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. ACT participates in E-Verify.

Application Notice

If you receive ACT employment-related communication from a [email protected] address, or requests for personal or financial information, do not reply. Contact [email protected] with details.

Apply here