Principal Associate, Quality Skills and Education Pathways Project in Washington

The Governmental Performance Portfolio within Pew's Government Performance team provides nonpartisan research, solutions, and momentum decision-makers need to ensure our institutions improve the health of people in the United States and enable them to successfully climb the economic ladder. Those goals are pursued through a wide range of policy-focused projects.

Pew’s Government Performance team is successful when we:

• Foresee systemic challenges that could be avoided, mitigated, or resolved before they become insurmountable or politically toxic.
• Fill information gaps with data, research, and proven models.
• Hold leaders of institutions accountable to ensure they anticipate future challenges and operate efficiently.
• Minimise missed opportunities when people intersect with our nation’s institutions.

We hope policymakers, funding partners, and other stakeholders celebrate when Pew’s Government Performance team enters a new policy space, launches a new effort, or expands an existing project because they recognise we help:

• Elevate the public profile of a problem
• Demonstrate that success is possible
• Bring cohesion to siloed fields
• Create momentum for broader and lasting change

Pew's Quality Skills and Education Pathways Project pursues evidence-based state policy and regulatory reforms that promote quality non-degree credentials and consumer protections to ensure safe and affordable financing for these programs. Our efforts involve an array of activities and tactics, including research to build the evidence-base for reform; direct outreach to key policymakers; coalition building; grassroots networking; communications and media outreach strategies; and convenings at the state, regional, and national levels.

Position Overview: The Principal Associate, Advocacy, Quality Skills and Education Pathways Project, will support and at times lead research-based, public policy outreach and advocacy related to the needs of the project. The Principal Associate reports to the Senior Manager, Advocacy, Quality Skills and Education Pathway Project. This position has a set time frame that could be extended based on the success of the program, funding sources, and board decisions on continued support. Located in Pew's Washington, D.C. office, this position participates in Pew’s hybrid work program with core days in the office and the flexibility to telework the remaining days. Staff also enjoy four telework “flex weeks” per year.

Responsibilities:

• Foster a work environment that inspires excellence, values impact, encourages transparency, builds mutual trust and respect, embraces and values diversity, and is collaborative, caring and compassionate.
• Shape and implement the project’s state-based outreach agenda.
• Design and execute the project’s outreach strategy for engagement at the state level, with a focus on regulatory policy.
• Establish and maintain relationships with key external partners, including state officials and regulatory agencies.
• Develop targeted messaging for state policymakers, collaborating with external contractors and internal Pew teams to ensure consistency and effectiveness.
• Assist with research efforts, helping to convert study findings into actionable policy recommendations.
• Lead and support major outreach initiatives directed at state policymakers, particularly focusing on interactions with state regulatory agencies.
• Collaborate with the Senior Manager to create and execute outreach strategies and initiatives to engage key stakeholders.
• Identify potential contractors, assess proposals, manage the contracting or grantmaking process, and ensure that all deliverables are completed on schedule, within budget, and in accordance with contract requirements.
• Facilitate collaboration to enable unified policy and research recommendations.
• Advise project leadership on the long-term strategic direction of the project, and its impact on key stakeholders.
• Collaborate with Pew colleagues to organize outreach efforts and messaging at the state level, supporting research staff in translating materials for policymakers and key stakeholders.
• Participate in activities that support program and Pew-wide objectives.
• Support the organization and execution of team-sponsored convenings involving stakeholders, subject matter experts, policymakers, and the public.
• Monitor policy changes in applicable states and regularly brief project leadership on necessary strategic updates.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience required.
• Generally, 6 years of applicable experience with state public policy work, preferably with state regulatory matters and policy analysis. An understanding of higher education and/or workforce development policy is a plus.
• Experience working with state executive branch offices to interpret and implement policy is preferred.
• Familiarity with advocacy/lobbying at the state level is highly valued.
• Skilled at informing and influencing internal and external audiences through written and oral communications.
• Demonstrated experience working collaboratively within a team, building consensus, and partnering effectively with both internal colleagues and external organizations to drive outcomes.
• Demonstrates exceptional, diplomatic interpersonal skills and is highly effective at developing and maintaining relationships while representing diverse perspectives.
• Aptitude to apply a non-partisan, evidence-based approach to projects and campaigns that require support across the political spectrum.

Travel: This position requires domestic travel to meetings and conferences.

Work Authorization: Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the country for which they are seeking employment without visa sponsorship.

Salary Range: United States Pay Range: $100,300 - $112,100. The salary range represents a reasonable estimate of the annual salary based on Pew’s commitment to provide equitable and market-competitive pay. The actual salary offered will take into consideration many factors including but not limited to job-related knowledge, skills and experience, internal pay equity, and business need.

Total Rewards: We offer a competitive salary and benefit program, including comprehensive, affordable health care through medical, dental, and vision coverage; financial security with life and disability insurance; opportunities to save using health savings and flexible spending accounts; retirement benefits to help prepare for the future; and work/life benefits to maintain a good balance.

Pew is an equal opportunity employer and makes employment decisions without regard to race, ethnicity, gender, or any other protected characteristics.

Summary: Location: Washington, DC (901 E) Type: Full time