Director, Government Relations & State Partnerships

About Us

Do you have a passion for higher education? Do you want to make a positive impact on the college admissions process? Our staff help to remove barriers and encourage students to forge their path to a better future. Common App is a national not-for-profit organization dedicated to the pursuit of access, equity, and integrity in the college admission process. Each year we support more than 1 million students, one-third of whom are first-generation, as they apply to our more than 1100 diverse member colleges & universities using the Common App's free online application.

If you are an experienced Government Relations professional and want to be part of a mission-driven non-profit that uses innovative technology to advance the college admission process, Common App may be a great match for you. Common App is currently searching for a Director, Government Relations & State Partners

As a critical part of the Network Growth division within the Constituent Engagement team and reporting to the Senior Director of State Partnerships, the Director of Government Relations & State Partnerships is responsible for executing on Common App’s strategy to engage federal, state, and local government officials, policymakers, and key stakeholders and secure system level agreements for Common App products, programs and services.

This role acts as the primary liaison between Common App and government entities and leads strategic business development for state-level initiatives. They ensure that Common App’s priorities are represented in the policy making arena and that new partnership opportunities are proactively identified and pursued.

The Director will monitor legislative and regulatory developments, assess potential policy and market impacts, and provide strategic recommendations to leadership. They will also work to cultivate, pitch, and secure agreements with state systems, higher education agencies, and education coalitions, positioning Common App as a trusted voice and preferred partner in state and national higher education policy and access initiatives.

This role requires:

• Candidates must live in the United States.
• Willing to travel to attend twice annual Common App Retreat.
• Bachelor’s degree in public administration, government, or education, or a relevant field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 8-10 years of functional experience.
• 6-8 years of experience as people manager.
• Proven ability to engage higher education executives (Presidents, Provosts, and system heads) and other stakeholders, such as associations or partner organizations, to build strategic partnerships and influence policy.
• Skilled at representing organizational priorities in public forums, including policy discussions, state convenings, and national conferences.
• Demonstrated proficiency in multi-state government relations, including demonstrated work with state legislatures, education agencies, schools, districts, and higher education institutions.
• Demonstrated ability to identify, develop, and close strategic partnership opportunities in the education or public sector market.
• Expertise in government affairs with the ability to influence and advance policy goals.
• Demonstrated success with consultative or solution-based selling to state-level education agencies or systems.
• Strong negotiation, presentation, and relationship management skills.
• Proven track record with state contracting and procurement processes.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills; skilled storyteller with the ability to convey complex issues clearly.
• Strategic, proactive, and adaptable thinker who can effectively communicate priorities to leadership, colleagues, and policymakers.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple high-priority initiatives simultaneously.
• Deep knowledge of the higher education landscape, including state and system-level policy.
• Proven track record in building and scaling new initiatives.

The ideal candidate will possess:

• Graduate degree in public administration, education, or a relevant field.
• Certificate in lobbying and government relations (i.e. PAC or NILE).
• Agile or other project management methodology…