Director, Workforce and Postsecondary Pathways
Bipartisan Policy Center, Washington, District of Columbia, us, 20022
Founded in 2007 by former Senate Majority Leaders Howard Baker, Tom Daschle, Bob Dole, and George Mitchell, the Bipartisan Policy Center (BPC) is a leading nonprofit organization that drives principled solutions through rigorous analysis, reasoned negotiation, and respectful dialogue. By bringing together Republicans and Democrats—and providing them with the space, policy insights, and evidence-based research needed to negotiate in good faith—BPC helps turn legislators’ best ideas into passable, durable laws. Since its founding, BPC has played an integral role in countless legislative accomplishments.
With projects in multiple issue areas including economic policy, energy, health, housing, human capital and democracy, BPC combines politically balanced policy making with strong, proactive advocacy and outreach. As the only Washington, D.C.-based organization that actively promotes bipartisanship, BPC works to address the key challenges facing the nation. Its policy solutions are the product of informed deliberations by former elected and appointed officials, business and labor leaders, and academics and advocates who represent both sides of the political spectrum.
BPC is committed to seeing its policy solutions enacted by lawmakers. Through BPC Action, its (c)(4) affiliate, BPC engages in advocacy and strategic outreach and education to bolster the legislative center and support efforts that bring Republicans and Democrats together on the difficult issues facing the country. While a healthy, civil debate among those with differing viewpoints is an essential component of our democracy, the current partisan tone in government is impeding progress. Through the Democracy Program and bridge‑building events, political summits and timely policy discussions, BPC is fostering an ongoing conversation about how to overcome political divides and help make our government work better.
Mission
Build connections.
Negotiate policy.
Achieve bipartisan solutions.
Improve lives.
The Bipartisan Policy Center (BPC) is seeking a strategic, collaborative, and policy‑driven Director to lead its work on workforce and postsecondary pathways within the Human Capital Program. This role will oversee a growing portfolio focused on strengthening education‑to‑workforce alignment, expanding high‑quality postsecondary pathways, and advancing bipartisan solutions that support a skilled workforce.
The Director will play a senior role within the Human Capital team, working to shape national policy across workforce and postsecondary education, supporting the implementation of BPC’s Commission on the American Workforce recommendations, and engaging stakeholders—policy makers, private sector, institutions, scholars, state leaders and others. The ideal candidate is an experienced strategic thinker with deep knowledge of workforce and postsecondary systems, with a track record of managing people, initiatives and stakeholder engagement and able to operate in bipartisan environments.
Responsibilities Strategy and Program Leadership
Direct and implement BPC’s workforce and postsecondary pathways strategy, with a focus on improving alignment between education, training, and labor‑market needs.
Shape and oversee a portfolio of research, convenings, coalition‑building, policy development, and communications efforts related to postsecondary education, workforce training, and skills development.
Identify emerging policy opportunities at the federal and state levels and develop pragmatic, bipartisan approaches to advance reform.
Support the Human Capital Program’s broader talent‑pipeline strategy, including coordination with K–12 and working families portfolios.
Policy Development and Advancement
Lead policy analysis and development related to postsecondary pathways, workforce systems, federal funding streams, and relevant authorizing and appropriations vehicles.
Engage with Members of Congress, congressional staff, and federal agencies to advance bipartisan workforce and postsecondary policy solutions.
Support and help translate the recommendations of the Commission on the American Workforce into actionable policy and implementation strategies.
Coordinate closely with executive‑branch officials and agencies involved in education, workforce, and economic development policy.
Stakeholder and Coalition Engagement
Lead external engagement and coalition‑building with employers, postsecondary institutions, workforce organizations, state and local leaders, advocates, and think tanks.
Convene and facilitate regular strategy meetings, working groups, and briefings with bipartisan and cross‑sector stakeholders.
Strengthen BPC’s role as a trusted convener and neutral forum for advancing workforce and postsecondary reform.
Research, Data, and Messaging
Oversee the use of data, research, and evidence to inform policy development and program strategy, including labor‑market and postsecondary outcomes data.
Translate complex policy and data insights into clear, accessible materials for policymakers, funders, and external audiences.
Collaborate with partners on polling, landscape analyses, and issue framing as appropriate to support policy goals.
Public Affairs and Communications
Work closely with BPC’s communications team to shape public and policymaker understanding of workforce and postsecondary issues through op‑eds, briefings, events, and targeted outreach.
Represent BPC externally at conferences, panels, and stakeholder meetings.
Fundraising and Reporting
Support fundraising and development efforts, including drafting grant proposals, funder briefings, and progress reports for current and prospective funders.
Help steward funder relationships in coordination with program and development leadership.
Qualifications
8–10 years of experience in public policy, government relations, issue advocacy, or a related field, with a strong focus on workforce development, postsecondary education, or education‑to‑employment pathways.
Demonstrated success managing staff, complex initiatives involving multiple stakeholders, workstreams, and partners.
Experience developing and executing multifaceted policy or programmatic strategies.
Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate complex policy issues for diverse audiences.
Self‑starter with a strategic mindset, sound judgment, and a bias toward action in a bipartisan policy environment.
Preferred
Background in workforce policy, postsecondary education, economic mobility, or related fields.
Experience working with or analyzing federal workforce and postsecondary programs and funding streams.
Familiarity with labor‑market data, skills frameworks, or education and workforce outcomes research.
Experience working in or with Congress, federal agencies, or state government.
BPC offers a highly competitive salary and provides generous benefits. Individuals interested in this position should send resume, cover letter and three references. Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States. BPC does not sponsor employment visas.
BPC is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace dedicated to pursuing and hiring a diverse workforce.
Work Schedule The Bipartisan Policy Center values work‑life balance and supports a hybrid work environment. Employees are generally expected to be in the office Tuesday through Thursday, and additional in‑office days as business needs require.
BPC offers comprehensive health insurance benefits with a choice of open access HMO, POS, or PPO plan. HMO and POS individual plans have a monthly premium cost share of 10%. Dependent and Family HMO and POS plans are offered with a monthly cost share equal to 20% of the difference between the plan premium and the individual HMO monthly premium. PPO plans are offered with a 20% premium cost‑share for all plans.
Additional benefits include 403(b) matching contributions of up to 7% of salary in addition to a non‑elective contribution of 2% of salary (both after 90 days of employment); 15 vacation days, 2 personal days, 15 sick days, and 12 holidays per year; education benefits up to $5,250 per year after one year of employment; $2,000 for professional development expenses after six months of employment; Metro benefits of up to $130 per month; Company provided life insurance; and dental and vision insurance coverage with a Flexible Spending Plan.
We reasonably believe that the base salary range for this position is $170,000-$190,000. At BPC, a wide range of factors are considered when making compensation decisions, including and not limited to skill set, experience, training, education, knowledge, and other business and organizational needs.
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With projects in multiple issue areas including economic policy, energy, health, housing, human capital and democracy, BPC combines politically balanced policy making with strong, proactive advocacy and outreach. As the only Washington, D.C.-based organization that actively promotes bipartisanship, BPC works to address the key challenges facing the nation. Its policy solutions are the product of informed deliberations by former elected and appointed officials, business and labor leaders, and academics and advocates who represent both sides of the political spectrum.
BPC is committed to seeing its policy solutions enacted by lawmakers. Through BPC Action, its (c)(4) affiliate, BPC engages in advocacy and strategic outreach and education to bolster the legislative center and support efforts that bring Republicans and Democrats together on the difficult issues facing the country. While a healthy, civil debate among those with differing viewpoints is an essential component of our democracy, the current partisan tone in government is impeding progress. Through the Democracy Program and bridge‑building events, political summits and timely policy discussions, BPC is fostering an ongoing conversation about how to overcome political divides and help make our government work better.
Mission
Build connections.
Negotiate policy.
Achieve bipartisan solutions.
Improve lives.
The Bipartisan Policy Center (BPC) is seeking a strategic, collaborative, and policy‑driven Director to lead its work on workforce and postsecondary pathways within the Human Capital Program. This role will oversee a growing portfolio focused on strengthening education‑to‑workforce alignment, expanding high‑quality postsecondary pathways, and advancing bipartisan solutions that support a skilled workforce.
The Director will play a senior role within the Human Capital team, working to shape national policy across workforce and postsecondary education, supporting the implementation of BPC’s Commission on the American Workforce recommendations, and engaging stakeholders—policy makers, private sector, institutions, scholars, state leaders and others. The ideal candidate is an experienced strategic thinker with deep knowledge of workforce and postsecondary systems, with a track record of managing people, initiatives and stakeholder engagement and able to operate in bipartisan environments.
Responsibilities Strategy and Program Leadership
Direct and implement BPC’s workforce and postsecondary pathways strategy, with a focus on improving alignment between education, training, and labor‑market needs.
Shape and oversee a portfolio of research, convenings, coalition‑building, policy development, and communications efforts related to postsecondary education, workforce training, and skills development.
Identify emerging policy opportunities at the federal and state levels and develop pragmatic, bipartisan approaches to advance reform.
Support the Human Capital Program’s broader talent‑pipeline strategy, including coordination with K–12 and working families portfolios.
Policy Development and Advancement
Lead policy analysis and development related to postsecondary pathways, workforce systems, federal funding streams, and relevant authorizing and appropriations vehicles.
Engage with Members of Congress, congressional staff, and federal agencies to advance bipartisan workforce and postsecondary policy solutions.
Support and help translate the recommendations of the Commission on the American Workforce into actionable policy and implementation strategies.
Coordinate closely with executive‑branch officials and agencies involved in education, workforce, and economic development policy.
Stakeholder and Coalition Engagement
Lead external engagement and coalition‑building with employers, postsecondary institutions, workforce organizations, state and local leaders, advocates, and think tanks.
Convene and facilitate regular strategy meetings, working groups, and briefings with bipartisan and cross‑sector stakeholders.
Strengthen BPC’s role as a trusted convener and neutral forum for advancing workforce and postsecondary reform.
Research, Data, and Messaging
Oversee the use of data, research, and evidence to inform policy development and program strategy, including labor‑market and postsecondary outcomes data.
Translate complex policy and data insights into clear, accessible materials for policymakers, funders, and external audiences.
Collaborate with partners on polling, landscape analyses, and issue framing as appropriate to support policy goals.
Public Affairs and Communications
Work closely with BPC’s communications team to shape public and policymaker understanding of workforce and postsecondary issues through op‑eds, briefings, events, and targeted outreach.
Represent BPC externally at conferences, panels, and stakeholder meetings.
Fundraising and Reporting
Support fundraising and development efforts, including drafting grant proposals, funder briefings, and progress reports for current and prospective funders.
Help steward funder relationships in coordination with program and development leadership.
Qualifications
8–10 years of experience in public policy, government relations, issue advocacy, or a related field, with a strong focus on workforce development, postsecondary education, or education‑to‑employment pathways.
Demonstrated success managing staff, complex initiatives involving multiple stakeholders, workstreams, and partners.
Experience developing and executing multifaceted policy or programmatic strategies.
Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate complex policy issues for diverse audiences.
Self‑starter with a strategic mindset, sound judgment, and a bias toward action in a bipartisan policy environment.
Preferred
Background in workforce policy, postsecondary education, economic mobility, or related fields.
Experience working with or analyzing federal workforce and postsecondary programs and funding streams.
Familiarity with labor‑market data, skills frameworks, or education and workforce outcomes research.
Experience working in or with Congress, federal agencies, or state government.
BPC offers a highly competitive salary and provides generous benefits. Individuals interested in this position should send resume, cover letter and three references. Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States. BPC does not sponsor employment visas.
BPC is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace dedicated to pursuing and hiring a diverse workforce.
Work Schedule The Bipartisan Policy Center values work‑life balance and supports a hybrid work environment. Employees are generally expected to be in the office Tuesday through Thursday, and additional in‑office days as business needs require.
BPC offers comprehensive health insurance benefits with a choice of open access HMO, POS, or PPO plan. HMO and POS individual plans have a monthly premium cost share of 10%. Dependent and Family HMO and POS plans are offered with a monthly cost share equal to 20% of the difference between the plan premium and the individual HMO monthly premium. PPO plans are offered with a 20% premium cost‑share for all plans.
Additional benefits include 403(b) matching contributions of up to 7% of salary in addition to a non‑elective contribution of 2% of salary (both after 90 days of employment); 15 vacation days, 2 personal days, 15 sick days, and 12 holidays per year; education benefits up to $5,250 per year after one year of employment; $2,000 for professional development expenses after six months of employment; Metro benefits of up to $130 per month; Company provided life insurance; and dental and vision insurance coverage with a Flexible Spending Plan.
We reasonably believe that the base salary range for this position is $170,000-$190,000. At BPC, a wide range of factors are considered when making compensation decisions, including and not limited to skill set, experience, training, education, knowledge, and other business and organizational needs.
#J-18808-Ljbffr