Policy & Impact Manager

Policy & Impact Manager

The Hunt Institute’s mission is to provide unbiased research, technical expertise, and learning opportunities that equip and empower educators and policymakers to drive equitable reforms and become audacious champions for education. Since its establishment in 2001, the organization has emerged as a recognized and credible leader in the movement to transform American public education and a go-to source for reliable, objective, and timely information.

The Institute works at the intersection of education policy and politics, supporting state and national officials and empowering them to drive education reform. Its mandate is to inspire and equip elected officials and senior policymakers to make informed decisions that improve the lives of all children. The Institute’s primary audience consists of governors, legislators, and other elected and state-level policymakers.

Reporting to the Director of Policy, the Policy & Impact Manager is responsible for managing, executing, and supporting Institute policy impact, programs, events, and stakeholder engagement. This role collaborates with teams across The Hunt Institute and offers the opportunity to work across the full prenatal- to- higher education and workforce continuum. The ideal candidate will bring at least 3 years of policy experience and an interest in early childhood, K-12, or higher education.

In addition, the Manager ensures that each program and event reflects bipartisan participation and that every event supports diversity among speakers and attendees. This position is based out of The Hunt Institute’s office in Cary, North Carolina.

• Serve as a key subject matter expert on education policy matters.
• Conduct and oversee project research, analysis, and reporting.
• Assist in collaborative writing and editing of papers, policy briefs, reports, data packets, and policy recommendations.
• Advise Hunt Institute colleagues as well as leadership team about relevant policy issues that could have an impact across The Institute’s work.

• Collaborate effectively within The Hunt Institute and support cross-functional work as directed.
• Communicate clearly, share updates proactively, and follow through on commitments.
• Support the collection of events and program feedback and qualitative insights that connect to organizational impact.
• Manage content planning for events, including agenda development, program materials, identifying resource experts in collaboration with program teams, events and communications teams.
• Participate in, and at times, lead initiatives that may include providing state level technical assistance support as needed.
• Support the development of responses to requests for policy briefs, information and comments received from policymakers and partners.

• Manage multiple projects, prioritize tasks, and meet tight deadlines.
• Identify and implement improvements to strengthen The Hunt Institute’s support for state early learning education and policy.
• Ensure project schedules and timelines facilitate meaningful participation from elected officials.
• Provide grant deliverable details regarding impact for grant and funder applications and reports.
• Perform all related duties and responsibilities as assigned.

• Commitment to the mission and vision of The Hunt Institute, alongside a passion for challenging entrenched systems of educational inequity towards the bettering of public education for all children.
• Exceptional project management skills.
• Awareness of current education policies.
• A strong work ethic, with a results-oriented philosophy and personal qualities of trustworthiness, openness, accessibility, kindness, flexibility, and a sense of humor.
• Ability to handle multiple assignments and accomplish deadlines; ability to pay attention to accuracy and detail while thinking broadly.
• Bachelor’s degree is required.
• Background in education policy is desired.
• Minimum three years’ experience in early childhood education, K-12 education, or higher education policy.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and flexible, responsive work…