Director of Higher Education, State Policy

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. But students who start and don’t complete college, or who earn only a low-quality degree or certificate, can be left 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, there are still far too many programs and institutions that do not serve students or steward public resources effectively. More work must be done to shift the policies and incentives to ensure 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 both improving student outcomes, especially for those students who have traditionally been 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 for both students and taxpayers 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 internally; 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 members of the Higher Education team to identify opportunities for state policy reform and to develop and refine a strategy to advance our key higher education priorities in targeted states
• Develop and manage the portfolio of state higher education grants aligned with AV’s strategy
• As appropriate, 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, on panels, and with the media

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s required in public policy or a related field
• At least 8 years of relevant work experience
• Successful track record 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 those solutions both to content experts and to diverse, nontechnical audiences
• Exceptional strategy development, project management, and organizational skills 
• Strong leadership, people management, and relationship-building skills 

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

Benefits Overview

Arnold Ventures is committed to providing a robust and comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees. Our current benefits package includes 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; a 401k retirement savings plan with an employer match, profit-share contribution, and immediate vesting; pre-tax transit benefits; a professional development stipend; a charitable giving stipend; and an employee assistance program.

Our Culture and Core Values

Our culture seeks to inspire and empower our people to innovate and develop bold ideas that will help Arnold Ventures achieve lasting impact. Our culture, and the core values that support it, should create an environment that spurs our team to think outside the box, feel comfortable pushing the boundaries of what is possible, and signal confidence in our team’s ability to make change happen through our philanthropic efforts. Although not an exhaustive list, below you’ll find examples of Arnold Ventures’ work culture. 

• We are adaptable and comfortable with ambiguity
• We are intellectually curious, open-minded, objective, humble, collegial, and receptive to feedback
• We are action-oriented with strong self-direction and self-motivation skills with the ability to work simultaneously on multiple projects
• We are able to interact confidently and collaboratively with team members and navigate relationships with external experts, government leaders, advocates, and individuals 

Arnold Ventures’ values reflect who we are as an organization, help us accelerate our strategic goals, strengthen our resolve, anchor us to our mission, and guide our decision-making. The successful candidate will also demonstrate the following core values that inspire the Arnold Ventures team to make a difference.

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

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 basis prohibited by applicable law. 

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