Director, Education Policy Program

Job ID : 090719.1
Job Title : Director, Education Policy Program
Organization : New America Foundation
Job Location : Washington, D.C.
Company URL : http://www.newamerica.net
Salary Range :
Job Description :

DIRECTOR
EDUCATION POLICY PROGRAM


ORGANIZATIONAL BACKGROUND

The New America Foundation is a nonprofit, nonpartisan public policy institute that invests in new thinkers and new ideas to address the next generation of challenges facing the United States. With an emphasis on big ideas, impartial analysis and pragmatic solutions, New America invests in outstanding individuals whose ability to communicate to wide and influential audiences can change the country’s policy discourse in critical areas, bringing promising new ideas and debates to the fore. Through its fellowships and issue-specific programs, New America sponsors a wide range of research, writing, conferences, and public outreach on the most important global and domestic issues of our time. Based in our nation’s capital, the New America Foundation currently has over 120 staff members and fellows. For more information, please visit www.newamerica.net.


POSITION DESCRIPTION

The New America Foundation seeks a dynamic, visionary, and entrepreneurial director for its Education Policy Program. The program’s mission is to develop ideas that advance the cause of equity, access, and excellence in education. . Currently, the program centers around three main policy areas: (1) federal education funding; (2) early education for children in grades pre-kindergarten through three; and (3) college financial aid modernization and higher education reform. In the future, the program intends to expand on its current work on college readiness and its partnership with New America’s College Savings Initiative.

Since inception, the program has become a leading resource for policymakers, political candidates, advocates, and the media on issues related to early education, elementary and secondary education funding, and higher education. In 2007, the program’s Higher Ed Watch policy blog broke news of the national student loan “pay for play” scandal, identified billions in inefficiently allocated taxpayer resources, and proffered a series of multibillion dollar financial aid modernization concepts subsequently embraced in law. Over the last two years, the program has provided support to federal policymakers in crafting national education legislation across the entire PreK–16 spectrum. This year the program has spent considerable time providing analysis of the President’s stimulus package to policymakers, the press and the public. Throughout the year and into the next, the program aims to influence public debate regarding the No Child Left Behind Act’s reauthorization, student loan reform, and the national early education expansion and reform movement. For more information, see http://www.newamerica.net/prog... |


PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Articulate and implement a strategic plan for the program that builds upon its existing resources and maximizes its future impact on education policy.
• Manage and develop professionally a nine-person staff that researches and analyzes education-related data and proposes new ideas in various education policy areas, especially those relating to federal education funding.
• Maintain the program’s funding base and build its infrastructure, including securing additional long-term financial support and recruiting top talent for new initiatives that advance the program’s agenda.
• Develop new policy ideas applicable at the federal level by analyzing data, program evaluations, academic literature, press reports, and the policy proposals of others.
• Write, edit, and publish op-eds, articles, issue briefs, policy blog posts, and in-depth reports on new policy ideas.
• Brief and provide advice to Members of Congress, congressional staff, administration officials, candidates for elected office, advocates, researchers, and the media.
• Serve as chief spokesperson for the program and raise its overall visibility and credibility.
• Contribute to the management and growth of New America as a senior staff member.


QUALIFICATIONS

Ideal candidates will have the following qualifications:

• Deep and well-recognized expertise in the education policy issues advanced by the program.
• Ability to articulate a compelling vision for education policy and the New America Foundation’s Education Policy Program.
• Proven understanding of the policymaking and political processes.
• Ability to manage a growing, entrepreneurial staff; secure funding; and attract top talent for new and existing initiatives.
• Outstanding writing, public speaking, and organizing abilities.
• Eagerness to contribute to the management and growth of the New America Foundation.
• At least eight years of relevant work experience.
• Graduate degree in economics, public policy, social policy, law, or related fields.

How to Apply :

APPLICATION PROCESS

Mail, fax, or e-mail a resume and cover letter (maximum two pages) summarizing your interests and qualifications to:

Human Resources
New America Foundation
1899 L Street, NW - Suite 400
Washington, DC 20036

Fax: 202-986-3696
E-mail: jobs@newamerica.net

Please state “Director, Education Policy Program” in the e-mail subject line. No phone calls, please.

Generous salary package commensurate with experience; excellent benefits.

The New America Foundation is an equal opportunity employer.