Executive Director, Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC)

Executive Director

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.

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. 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.

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 governed by multiple independent entities, success depends on the ability to build trust, align diverse stakeholders, shape policy through influence, and inspire collective action in pursuit of Washington's educational attainment and workforce goals.

Building upon a strong organizational foundation, this leader will guide the next chapter of WSAC's evolution as Washington's leading voice for educational attainment, student success, and systems innovation. The Executive Director will bring together leaders from education, workforce, business, government, philanthropy, and community organizations to develop shared strategies, navigate complex policy challenges, and advance durable solutions that expand opportunity for all Washingtonians.

Through visionary leadership, strategic partnerships, and a steadfast commitment to equity, the Executive Director will ensure that WSAC's priorities reflect broad stakeholder engagement and are recognized as statewide commitments rather than the positions of any single agency or institution. In doing so, this leader will help shape a stronger future for Washington's students, families, employers, and communities.

Washington is at a pivotal moment in expanding educational opportunity, strengthening workforce readiness, and improving economic mobility. This is a rare opportunity to shape the future of educational attainment and workforce opportunity in Washington—creating lasting impact for students, families, employers, and communities while ensuring every Washingtonian has access to meaningful pathways beyond high school and the opportunity to thrive.

• Serve as the Chief Executive Officer and public face of WSAC, providing vision, strategy, and leadership for the organization.
• Lead the development…