Executive Director, Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC)

Please Note:

The starting salary offer will be determined based on the successful candidates' qualifications within the starting salary range of $180,000 - $231,813 annually.  Our physical office is located in Olympia, WA. This is a hybrid position with the ability to telework.  However, you will need to travel throughout Washington State to attend in-person meetings or community events as required by the position.

Terms of Appointment:
Per RCW, the Council shall employ an executive director. The executive director shall be appointed by the governor from a list of three names submitted by the Council. However, the governor may request, and the Council shall provide, an additional list or lists from which the governor shall select the executive director. The governor may dismiss the executive director only with the approval of a majority vote of the Council.

The Council, by a majority vote, may dismiss the executive director.

Organization Summary

The Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC) is a cabinet-level state agency responsible for expanding access to postsecondary education opportunities, advancing educational attainment and increasing student success for all Washingtonians.  WSAC actively supports all pathways to postsecondary education, including Career and Technical Education (CTE) and apprenticeship programs.

Through strategic planning, policy leadership, research, advocacy, and program administration, the Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC) serves as Washington's catalyst for educational attainment and workforce success. The Council is committed to advancing equitable pathways to education, training, and career advancement for all Washingtonians while fostering a shared statewide commitment to opportunity and economic mobility. By convening leaders across education, workforce, business, philanthropy, government, and community sectors, WSAC builds consensus, aligns strategy, and drives collective action to ensure that every learner has access to high-quality pathways beyond high school and the support needed to thrive in a rapidly evolving economy.

WSAC administers and oversees a broad portfolio of programs and initiatives, including the Washington College Grant, State Work Study, College Bound Scholarship, GEAR UP, Washington's 529 college savings programs (GET and Dream Ahead), Career Connect Washington, and a variety of college access and support programs. The agency also serves as a leading source of education research, data analysis, and policy recommendations that help shape the future of Washington's postsecondary education system.
In addition, WSAC provides policy, research, and administrative support to several statewide statutory initiatives, including the independent Workforce Education Investment Accountability and Oversight Board (WEIAOB). Through this partnership, the agency helps advance statewide workforce education priorities while supporting legislative accountability and cross-sector collaboration.

With over 150 employees and responsibility for approximately $590M in financial aid and education investments, WSAC plays a critical role in helping Washington meet its long-term educational attainment and workforce development goals.

Position Summary

The Executive Director serves as the Chief Executive Officer of the Washington Student Achievement Council and is responsible for leading the agency's strategic vision, policy agenda, operations, partnerships, and statewide impact.

This role represents a unique opportunity to shape the future of education in Washington State. The Executive Director serves as a trusted advisor to the Governor, the Council, legislators, educational leaders, and community partners while advancing policies and initiatives that increase educational attainment, improve affordability and access, strengthen workforce readiness, and create greater economic opportunity for Washingtonians.

The Executive Director leads one of Washington's most influential education agencies in an environment where collaboration is essential and formal authority is intentionally distributed. Because the state's K-12, higher education, and workforce systems are…