The Vice President of Public Policy for Workforce Development (VP) will join Strada Education Foundation’s Public Policy team to lead work-based learning and employer alignment policy development efforts and co-lead data efforts that drive ecosystem-level change in support of Strada’s mission and objectives. The VP operates as a senior individual contributor, serving as a subject matter expert who drives results primarily through direct policy analysis and development, alongside cross-functional influence. This role serves as a strategic bridge between the worlds of workforce systems (including employment data) and higher education to design policy options and positions to advance Strada’s priorities and support the execution of advocacy strategies at the state and federal levels. In addition to directly leading and executing significant policy development work, the VP will inherit a portfolio of existing grants with opportunities to establish additional partnerships that help advance policy and advocacy goals.
As part of the Public Policy team, the VP is a member of Strada’s Policy, Advocacy, and Communications (PAC) team. This full-time position is DC based and reports to the Senior VP (SVP) of Public Policy who oversees a team of policy experts. The VP will work closely to coordinate efforts with the VP of Public Policy for Postsecondary Education who oversees the policy development needs of Strada’s Quality Coaching and Affordability teams.
Success requires a blend of deep policy expertise in workforce development and thoughtful collaboration across Strada’s internal teams and external partnerships. This role will also provide policy support to three internal teams as needed (i.e., Clear Outcomes, Work-Based Learning, and Employer Alignment).
Context
Strada Education Foundation supports programs, policies, and organizations that strengthen connections between education and employment in the U.S., with a special focus on helping those who have faced the greatest challenges securing economic opportunity through postsecondary education, which is broadly defined to include degree programs as well as non-degree credentials and pathways (e.g., certificates, industry certifications, and apprenticeships. Our strategic plan focuses on five strategic focus areas that help strengthen the connection between education and opportunity: Clear Outcomes, Quality Coaching, Affordability, Work-Based Learning, and Employer Alignment.
We work with partners in education and training, nonprofit organizations, industry, startups, and public policy. We leverage actionable research, catalytic grantmaking, direct policy development and advocacy, strategic investments, and nonprofit affiliates (e.g., CredLens, Roadtrip Nation) as a suite of tools to help strengthen equitable pathways to opportunity. Strada aspires to be a trusted partner working with education and training providers and leaders, policymakers, and other nonprofits. Strada offers a dynamic, collaborative, and inspiring professional environment that provides learning and professional development opportunities, both within the organization and with external partners.
Key Responsibilities
Area One: Public Policy Development (50%)
The VP, with the SVP of Public Policy, will play a role in the development of federal and state public policy options and positions designed to advance Strada’s five strategic focus areas and overall mission. This includes drafting background memos, policy briefs, analyzing legislation, and recommending policy measures to accomplish strategic objectives for policy issue areas under the Clear Outcomes, Work-Based Learning, and Employer Alignment teams. It also includes cultivating relationships with policy and advocacy partners to inform on-going development of Strada policy priorities. Work in close collaboration with the State and Federal Government Relations teams to inform advocacy efforts and ensure fidelity to Strada’s policy positions as policies advance at the state and federal level. This includes providing internal teams and external partners with educational briefings and drafting testimony for Congressional hearings.Contribute to the design of advocacy strategies and related campaigns, in collaboration with other Strada teams, to engage stakeholders in simple, tangible, and meaningful action opportunities. In coordination with the relevant Strada teams, develop a learning agenda specific to state and federal needs, with the goal of continuous learning of possible policy solutions with a national lens.
Area Two: Leadership and Collaboration (30%)
Actively cultivate collaborative working relationships with colleagues across Strada.Work with the SVP of Clear Outcomes, SVP Vice President of Work-Based Learning, SVP of Employer Alignment, and their respective teams to provide policy support as needed. This includes highlighting policy implications with their workstreams, providing policy scans on specific issues, and providing educational briefings, amongst other services. Serve as an active, collaborative member of Strada’s PAC team, including active participation in key meetings (as requested) and representing the PAC team as needed. Bring a strong commitment to expanding access, opportunity, and upward mobility—both within our organization and through our external partnerships.Attend external meetings and conferences on behalf of Strada, delivering key policy messages and perspectives of Strada and its stakeholders.
Area Three: Strategic Partnerships and Targeted Grantmaking (20%)
Provide counsel to the SVP of Public Policy on the engagement of national organizations focused on policy development and other key stakeholders that influence the work of policy and issues critical to Strada’s mission and goals.In coordination with other Strada leaders, assist with the development and execution of strategic partnerships, sometimes including targeted grants, specific to the design, development and execution of policy and related advocacy strategies.Manage a targeted set of grants related to public policy issues relevant to any one of Strada’s five strategic focus areas.
The Person: Qualifications and Experience
Provide counsel to the SVP of Public Policy on the engagement of national organizations focused on policy development and other key stakeholders that influence the work of policy and issues critical to Strada’s mission and goals.In coordination with other Strada leaders, assist with the development and execution of strategic partnerships, sometimes including targeted grants, specific to the design, development and execution of policy and related advocacy strategies.Manage a targeted set of grants related to public policy issues relevant to any one of Strada’s five strategic focus areas: Clear Outcomes – Enhanced wage records, non-degree credentials, and learning and employment records, Work-Based Learning – Intermediaries, apprenticeships, and employer incentives, and Employer Alignment – Education-to-employment state data offices, state talent planning, and strategic PSET state funding.Working knowledge of federal or state higher education policy. First-hand experience meeting directly with public sector decision makers.Significant experience with drafting, analyzing, and writing policy documents including memos that provide analysis on issues critical to Strada’s five strategic focus areas and overall mission and goals.
Skills Required
Project leadership and management, working within internal cross-functional teams and external partners.Capacity to identify shared interests and work toward common aims in a nonpartisan manner.Verbal and written communication acumen.Operational performance management and reporting.Ability to work across a large organization to deliver results.
Personal Characteristics
Passion for Strada’s mission of connecting education with opportunity, especially for those who face the greatest challenges.Comfort and alignment with Strada’s values (see In Service).Friendly, collaborative, and inclusive approach.Comfort juggling and executing a diverse variety of projects, often with tight time constraints.Grace and kindness even under pressure – maintaining composure, steadiness, and empathy in moments of urgency or conflict.Strong sense of curiosity, as well as commitment to read broadly and continue learning to stay on top of important developments in our space.
Preferred Experience
Public sector experience working within a federal or state agency or in the federal or state legislative branch of government. A combination of federal and state experience would be a plus.Expertise in workforce development-related employment data.
Travel: This role builds partnerships with organizations and individuals across the country. As a result, it includes a meaningful amount of travel. While there is no minimum required, candidates should expect and be comfortable with approximately 20-25% travel.
Strada welcomes diverse candidates and values a wide range of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. Bringing together people with a variety of personal, educational, and professional experiences strengthens our understanding of the learners we serve, leads to better decisions, and enhances our mission impact. We encourage applicants who will enrich our workplace through their knowledge, skills, perspectives, and expertise.
