Senior Policy Analyst

Remote - Washington, DC

About the organization

The State Higher Education Executive Officers Association (SHEEO) serves the chief executives of statewide governing, policy, and coordinating boards of postsecondary education and their staffs. Founded in 1954, SHEEO promotes an environment that values higher education and its role in ensuring the equitable education of all Americans, regardless of race/ethnicity, gender, or socioeconomic factors. Together with its members, SHEEO aims to achieve this vision by equipping state higher education executive officers and their staffs with the tools to effectively advance the value of higher education, promoting public policies and academic practices that enable all Americans to achieve success in the 21st century, and serving as an advocate for state higher education leadership.

SHEEO is particularly interested in providing equal employment opportunities and employing a diverse staff. Read more about SHEEO on our website: www.sheeo.org.

About the position

We are considering both fully-remote candidates and candidates based in the Washington, D.C. area who would work a hybrid model for this position. Reporting to the Vice President for Academic Affairs and Equity Initiatives, the senior policy analyst conducts research, analysis, and project management on state higher education public policy, including equity initiatives that support improved student access and success. They will manage projects, assist in seeking funding to support these needs, and join all SHEEO staff in yearly conference planning activities and general membership outreach.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Conduct research and policy analysis on state higher education public policy, including projects on early college, admissions, adult education, transfer, persistence and completion, educator preparation, and workforce development.
  • Draft and manage the production of reports, papers, presentations, memos, annual reports, and other written content to disseminate research and analysis to key stakeholders.
  • Manage projects that develop and convey information to the postsecondary community.
  • Provide project, grants management, administrative, and logistical support to keep projects on track and ensure deadlines are met.
  • Develop and maintain knowledge regarding current activities and future trends in public higher education.
  • Build and maintain collaborative relationships with partner organizations to advance shared interests in, and support advocacy opportunities for, equitable student access and success.
  • Represent SHEEO at, and assist in planning and conducting, state, regional, and national meetings.
  • Support equitable student access and success on research topics and policy analysis through staff collaborations in fields including data systems, finance, governmental affairs, and/or accountability.
  • Respond promptly to information requests from SHEEO members and provide other member services such as current policy research and publications, policy best practices, and learning community inquiries and opportunities.
  • Research new opportunities of funding for projects and build relationships with potential funders around these opportunities.
  • Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications and Experiences:

We are looking for a combination of the following qualifications, skills, and experiences:

  • A master’s degree in higher education, public policy, or related field, plus at least three years of experience in a role with similar responsibilities.
  • Experience and analytical expertise in one or more of the following areas related to postsecondary education: state-, system-, or institutional-level experience and analytical expertise in academic affairs, equity initiatives, institutional research, or student success.
  • Experience, or a strong interest in, helping to secure outside funding for special projects.
  • Knowledge of, or experience with SHEEO agencies, partner organizations, and/or foundations. 
  • Strong analytic, critical, and strategic thinking, problem-solving, follow-through, and decision-making skills.
  • A passion for advancing educational and economic opportunity, diversity, equity, inclusion, justice, and social mobility.
  • Fluency in statistics, data visualization, or other specialized skill related to policy research and analysis.

Travel:

This position will require periodic national travel.

Salary:

Salary will be commensurate with successful candidate’s level of education and experience, with a potential range of $80,000-90,000. SHEEO provides a comprehensive benefits package. 

Application Process:

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, with a priority deadline of March 26, 2022.

Please apply here and include the following:

  1. A cover letter.
  2. A resume or curriculum vitae.

SHEEO is committed to providing equal employment opportunities and believes that recruiting and developing a diverse and inclusive staff is vital to the success of the organization.