Senior Program Director, State Chief Liaison

ACT

Senior Program Director connecting K-12 Commissioners and education boards to ACT’s policy-driven strategies for revenue influence. Focused on relationship building and strategic initiatives in educational policy.

Posted 7/21/2026full-timeRemote • 🇺🇸 United StatesSenior💰 $120,000 - $160,000 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

Use this summary to align your resume positioning with the role.

Demonstrates extensive experience in state education policy and governance, with a proven ability to influence senior officials and translate complex policy into strategic actions. Strong communication and negotiation skills are essential for building relationships and aligning organizational goals with state priorities.

Highest-signal resume keywords

10+ Years Experience In Education IndustryLeadership Role In State Department Of EducationDeep Understanding Of State Education PolicyExceptional Communication SkillsStrong Negotiation Skills

ATS Keywords

Tailor your resume

Applicant Tracking System Keywords

Tip: use these terms in your resume and cover letter to boost ATS matches.

Hard Skills

Policy AnalysisStrategic IntelligenceAccountability SystemsExecutive-Level EngagementCompetitive Intelligence Gathering

Soft Skills

Relationship BuildingAnalytical AbilitiesGoal SettingProblem SolvingPresentation Skills

Industry Keywords

State Education PolicyGovernance StructuresRFP Executive SummariesAccountability ShiftsEducation Programs

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Build and maintain relationships with state-level decision-makers (Commissioners, Boards of Education, Deputy Commissioners).
Advise on policy trends and accountability shifts impacting assessment and readiness programs.
Serve as ACT’s policy liaison for executive-level discussions, ensuring ACT solutions align with state priorities.
Influence and guide RFP executive summaries and model frameworks to reflect policy priorities.
Provide strategic intelligence on state education policy changes and their implications for ACT’s offerings.
Collaborate with Government Relations (GR) to ensure unified messaging without duplicating lobbying efforts.

Requirements

What you’ll need

At least 10 years of progressively responsible experience in education industry
Experience serving in a leadership role at a State Department of Education, a State Higher Education Executive Officers (SHEEO) agency, or a State Department of Labor, in roles such as Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner, Assistant Commissioner, Chief of Staff, State Director, or equivalent executive leadership roles.
Demonstrated ability to engage and influence senior state officials.
Deep understanding of state education policy, accountability systems, and governance structures.
Proven experience translating complex policy landscapes into strategic organizational action.
Exceptional communication skills, especially in executive-level environments.
Ability to travel frequently (approx. 30%) and manage executive relationships across multiple states.
Ability to gain and apply in depth product knowledge of ACT’s products and services, including how the products and services are collectively used to provide solutions to state customers.
Demonstrated ability to influence and engage key state executives.
Ability to gather and use competitive intelligence to create strategies that advance and/or protect ACT’s interests.
Ability to work effectively and build relationships with individuals within the organization.
Strong communication skills including ability to communicate effectively across all levels in the organization, as well as outstanding presentation skills.
Strong analytical abilities and the ability to determine logical solutions to complicated problems.
Ability to set goals and priorities and manage to completion.
Strong negotiation skills.

Benefits

Comp & perks

company paid life insurance
medical
dental
vision
flexible health and dependent spending accounts
401(k) retirement savings with company match
paid holidays
paid time off