Senior Fellow, Postsecondary Workforce & Education

MISSION OF NATIONAL SKILLS COALITION 

 

National Skills Coalition is a broad-based coalition working toward a vision of an America that grows its economy by investing in its people, so that every worker and every industry has the skills to compete and prosper. We engage in organizing, advocacy and communications to advance state and federal policies that support these goals – policies that are based on the on-the-ground expertise of our members and allies.

  

POSITION SUMMARY 

 

NSC’s senior fellows are nationally recognized leaders who are among the foremost experts in the country in their respective fields. They leverage their expertise to help advance NSC’s strategic objectives. The senior fellow will serve as one of NSC’s organizational experts on postsecondary and workforce education financing strategy, policy development and implementation; leverage expertise and relationships to inform NSC federal and state policy advocacy campaigns; lead special projects that support advocacy campaign strategies; and provide technical assistance to state policy leaders such as State Higher Education Executive Officers, Governor’s Office Policy Directors, and State Education and Labor agency officials. The senior fellow will also engage in funder cultivation and stewardship to support work. 

 

QUALIFICATIONS

 

We are looking for someone with:

Knowledge of postsecondary and workforce education financing and policy issues, including an understanding of career pathway and student supportive service models

Prior experience providing leadership and strategic direction for major policy and/or research projects, including working with state and institutional leaders

Experience in conducting federal and/or state policy research, analysis, and development with a specific emphasis on racial equity

Desire to be part of a proactive team that highly values collaboration

At least 10 years of relevant policy and management experience, particularly in the areas of postsecondary and workforce education

 

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 

 

Strategy

Policy: Work with NSC colleagues and national/local partners to inform strategies for advancing NSC’s postsecondary and workforce education policy campaigns.

Network: Work with state network colleagues to inform development and implementation of cross-state policy academies and technical assistance initiatives in the postsecondary and workforce education spaces.

Organizational development: Work with leadership team to develop NSC’s policy implementation research and technical assistance program strategy.

 

Technical Assistance

State policymakers/institutional leaders: Assist state policymakers and institutions in the implementation of state and federal postsecondary and workforce education and related policies.

Coalitions: Provide technical assistance to state coalitions, such as NSC’s SkillSPAN coalitions, in the development and implementation of postsecondary and workforce education and related policies. 

 

Policy & Research

Policy Analysis: In collaboration with policy and network staff, identify analysis needed to advance postsecondary and workforce education agendas. Perform, advise on, or oversee analysis as needed, ensuring accessibility to target audiences.

Policy Development: Participate in the development of state-specific postsecondary and workforce education policy proposals that advance NSC’s agenda.

Research: Identify research needs and ensure high-quality research is conducted with input from NSC’s networks.

 

Outreach & Communications

Stakeholders: Ensure that NSC’s networks are regularly engaged in policy research and development processes.

Public Spokesperson:  Serve as spokesperson at public meetings, conferences, briefings and presentations.  Liaison with the press as needed.   

 

Financial

Grants:  In coordination with executive staff, engage in funder cultivation and stewardship to support postsecondary and workforce education portfolio. Participate in relevant grant reporting.   

 

People

Senior leadership: As a senior leader in the organization, participate in creating an enriching, learning environment for junior staff.

Coordination and Collaboration: Work with other staff on policy research, analysis, development, and advocacy of federal and state policy proposals.

 

To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:

 

CORE COMPETENCIES

Technical Expertise: Leadership and depth of knowledge and skill in a technical area.

Communication Skills: Ability to effectively engage and communicate with target audiences.

Strategic Thinking/Management: Creates and communicates a long-term vision, balances short- and long-term goals, keeps own and team’s work aligned with overall goals, creates and adjusts strategic plans.

Partnership Development: Ability to develop, maintain, and strengthen partnerships with others inside or outside the organization who can provide information, assistance, and support.

Organizational Awareness: Using knowledge of the organization and the organization’s business environment to turn data into insight.

Project Management: Brings together every component of a project, including resources or planning, that are needed to complete in a timely manner.

 

ORGANIZATIONAL CORE COMPETENCIES

Interpersonal skills: Exhibits respect and understanding of others to maintain professional relationships.

Problem Solving: Solves problems while ensuring rules and directives are followed.

Communication Skills: Ability to effectively engage and communicate with target audiences.

Initiative: Takes independent action, seeks out new responsibilities, acts on opportunities, generates new ideas, practices self-development.

Attention to Detail: Committed to accuracy and excellence, looks for improvements continuously, monitors quality levels, finds/owns/acts on quality problems.

 

SALARY: Salary for this position is $100,000 - $130,000; salary depends on relevant experience and new staff rarely start at the top of the range. Excellent benefits package, including employer-paid health and dental, retirement plan, life and disability insurance and generous vacation policy.

 

National Skills Coalition is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Women and people of color are strongly encouraged to apply.