Deputy Director of Public Policy, Legislative Engagement

Who We Are

The Alliance for Decision Education (the Alliance) is a national nonprofit and field builder with the mission of improving lives by empowering K-12 students with essential skills and dispositions for making better decisions. Founded in 2014 and backed by experts in decision sciences, business, and education—including several Nobel laureates—the Alliance believes that better decisions lead to better lives and a better society.

As a field builder, the Alliance partners with teachers, academic and business leaders, families, and community members to raise awareness and lead the growing call to have Decision Education taught in schools across the country.

The Alliance is committed to an inclusive, supportive, and collaborative culture. Our diverse team comprises educators, researchers, subject matter experts, and other professionals dedicated to our mission. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer.

What We Offer

The Alliance offers a comprehensive total rewards package, inclusive of competitive compensation.

Annual Salary:

• $110,000 - $140,000 per year, commensurate with experience and qualifications*

Benefits:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance (100% employer paid)
• Basic life insurance and AD&D (100% employer paid)
• Short-term disability insurance (100% employer paid)
• Long-term disability insurance (100% employer paid)
• Employee Assistance Program
• 401 (k) retirement plan with up to a 5% employer match (100% vested)
• Flexible Spending Accounts (healthcare and dependent care)
• Up to 20 days of Paid Time Off per calendar year (prorated the first year based on hire date)
• Unlimited paid sick time
• Hybrid work schedule
• Paid lunch stipend while working on-site

*Salary range is a good-faith estimate based on external benchmarking, internal equity,
and industry standards and may vary based on qualifications and experience. Benefits are subject to change at the organization’s discretion.

JOB OVERVIEW

The Deputy Director of Public Policy, Legislative Engagement is a senior role responsible for advancing the Alliance’s state and national policy agenda through legislative engagement, policy-aligned outreach, and coalition and stakeholder activities that advance Decision Education. This position focuses on legislative strategy, policy development, state-level lobbying and advocacy, relationship-building, and communication with policymakers, external partners, and internal teams.

The Deputy Director will report to the Director of Public Policy within the Public Policy Department.

LOCATION AND SCHEDULE

This full-time role requires an 8-hour workday and a 40-hour workweek. It is an exempt position under the FLSA and is not eligible for overtime pay.

This position is open to local and remote candidates. Local team members follow a hybrid schedule, working onsite at our Bala Cynwyd, PA, headquarters on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and remotely on other business days. Fully remote employees are expected to maintain a productive home-based work environment and work East Coast hours. The role requires 30–50 percent travel for stakeholder and legislative engagements, state capital visits, national conferences, and internal and all-staff meetings at organization headquarters.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

Legislative Engagement

• Lead the Alliance’s direct and indirect lobbying strategies with the Director of Public Policy, cultivating relationships with governors' offices, state departments of education, state boards of education, and state legislative bodies, as well as with relevant think tanks, coalitions, advocacy organizations, and trade associations.
• Proactively monitor and analyze policymaker activity and legislation at the state and regional levels and identify opportunities for engagement and influence.
• Draft legislative memos, policy memos, and legislator education and communication materials.
• Translate complex federal and state education bills, administrative rules, and public budget allocations into actionable policy briefs, testimony, and memos.
• Engage current and past Policymaker Fellows in the design and implementation of legislation, regulations, and pilot programs in collaboration with the Senior Manager, Public Policy.
• Manage relationships and contracts with retained lobbying firms in key states.

Strategic Planning and Management

• Build regional policy, advocacy, and lobbying plans with the Director of Public Policy, contracted lobbyists, and regional partners.
• Support the development and monitoring of department-level Objectives and Key Results (OKRs) related to policy development and adoption.
• Collaborate with the Communications team, DPP, and other teams to design research briefings and public-facing toolkits that shape the national narrative around the importance of Decision Education in K-12 education policy.
• Support senior‑level relationship management with key strategic policy leaders, including preparation, alignment, and follow‑up for high‑value engagements.
• Track staff and stakeholder engagement efforts in Salesforce, Wrike, and other project management tools.
• Collaborate with internal teams to ensure public policy activities are aligned, supported, and communicated effectively.
• Design and facilitate legislative training and professional development for staff and volunteers who engage in public policy opportunities and engagements.
• Represent the Alliance at events, conferences, and in key coalitions and coordinated advocacy campaigns.

These responsibilities may change or expand over time, consistent with the organization’s needs and initiatives.

JOB QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Requirements

• 8+ years of progressive experience leading legislative advocacy, public policy formulation, and lobbying initiatives, with a clear focus on the education sector.
• Deep expertise in legislative processes, state-level education governance, and public K-12 financing structures.
• Experience contributing to strategic planning and organizational alignment.
• Experience managing complex cross-sector initiatives, public policy campaigns, and education policy lobbying initiatives.
• Strong project management skills, including experience tracking goals and metrics.
• Ability to represent the Alliance at conferences, legislative meetings, and national events.
• Experience using a CRM system.
• Excellent communication, judgment, and organizational skills.

Preferred Requirements

• Experience in a national nonprofit or mission‑driven organization.
• Demonstrated ability to build trusted relationships with policymakers, legislative staff, and education leaders.
• Experience navigating complex policy initiatives involving multiple stakeholders.
• Interest in decision science, behavioral economics, psychology, cognitive science, or related fields.

ATTRIBUTES WE VALUE

• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and relationship‑building skills
• Strong analytical thinking, problem‑solving ability, and sound judgment
• Effective leadership skills with the ability to guide, mentor, and collaborate across teams
• Respectful, collegial, and highly collaborative working style
• Intellectually humble, open‑minded, innovative, strategic, and adaptable
• Growth‑minded, intellectually curious, and committed to continuous learning
• Highly organized, diligent, reliable, professional, and efficient
• Demonstrated initiative, independence, and the ability to work productively with minimal oversight
• Strong time‑management skills and the ability to meet deadlines in a fast‑paced environment
• Passionate about the mission and motivated to contribute to organizational success
• Detail‑oriented with the ability to manage multiple priorities effectively
• Reflects the Alliance’s core values and standards:
  • Humanism: valuing others as human beings
  • Rationality: thinking and skills to help answer “What is true?” and “What to do?”
  • Education: growth mindset; dedication to developing knowledge and skills
  • Conscientiousness: diligent work ethic; professionalism; high‑quality work
  • Initiative: owners’ and founders’ mentality; leadership skills
  • Mission Alignment: dedication to the organization’s mission and goals

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• Employment is contingent upon completion of the Form I‑9 and verification of authorization to work in the United States, as required by federal law.
• Successful completion of the pre‑employment screening process.
• Compliance with all organizational policies and procedures.
• Ability to understand and demonstrate safe work practices to ensure a safe work environment.
• Complete special projects and other duties as assigned.

Physical and Environmental Demands

• Primarily desk‑based work involving sitting at a workstation
• Occasional walking, standing, or lifting/carrying up to 10 lbs
• Frequent hand and finger dexterity for typing, writing, and handling objects
• Ability to perform essential job functions with or without reasonable accommodation.
• The Alliance is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions, including the use of assistive technologies

This role is based in the United States. Applicants must have authorization to work in the U.S. and must not require current or future visa sponsorship.

The Alliance for Decision Education is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment based on merit and without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.

Employment with the Alliance for Decision Education is at will, meaning either the employee or the organization may terminate the employment relationship at any time, with or without cause or notice.

Originally posted on Himalayas