Policy Director at California Competes
California Competes: Higher Education for a Strong Economy is a nonpartisan policy and research organization focused on identifying solutions to the state’s most critical challenges at the intersection of higher education, equity, and the economy. Established in 2011, our mission is to help transform the state’s higher education system into an engine of economic opportunity that empowers all Californians, particularly those from underserved communities, to achieve their full potential. California Competes benefits from the expertise of our highly respected, bipartisan Board of Directors, which comprises current and former public officials, business executives, and community leaders from across the state. Our diverse staff brings decades of experience in higher education and public policy. We work statewide and travel across the country to research and advocate for a higher education system that provides opportunities for all Californians.
For more information, please visit californiacompetes.org.
Position:
Reporting to our CEO, the Policy Director serves as staff lead on executing our policy agenda and policy-focused research activities. This position supports the CEO and board in setting the organization’s policy agenda and helps ensure policy advocacy and research activities align with the organization’s goals. A successful candidate holds deep expertise in California state policy, excels at building relationships, thinks analytically and strategically, and is passionate about advancing equity and student success. Specific duties are described below.
The Policy Director supervises the Senior Policy and Research Analyst, along with overseeing key external consultants and student researchers.
Responsibilities:
Strategy and Leadership
Support the CEO and board to develop and advance the organization’s policy agenda, including updating policy priorities and developing actionable steps to advance them
Provide leadership and project oversight on all of the organization’s policy activities
Work closely with the CEO, external policy consultants, and other staff in advancing the policy agenda and policy research activities
Manage policy staff and consultants, including one full-time policy and research analyst, seasonal part-time graduate students, and external consultants.
Policy Analysis
Lead policy analysis related to California Competes’s advocacy goals, including but not limited to: adult learners, intersegmental and cross-sector coordination, postsecondary-workforce alignment, innovation and technology in education, statewide longitudinal data systems, streamlining access to public benefits, and student parent success.
Analyze bills, budget proposals, and other policy proposals and laws relevant to California Competes’s policy priorities
Lead development of policy recommendations based on our research analysis
Work collaboratively with California Competes team members to help manage research projects and communicate findings
Craft clear, influential written publications, such as reports, briefs, and blogs
Develop presentations for policy, research, and other stakeholder audiences
Policy Design, Advocacy, Implementation, and Management
Attend, testify, and support the CEO (or other staff) in testimony for legislative and other governing entities’ hearings
Lead the planning, organization, and implementation of the California Higher Education Policy Institutes that engage legislators and their staff on key higher education policy topics
Identify and implement new strategies to advance our policy agenda and strengthen our relationships with policymakers and other leaders statewide
Write commentary, blogs, or other publications to elevate California Competes’s policy agenda and policy leadership
Develop clear and influential policy collateral to advance policy objectives
Represent California Competes in policy advocacy coalitions
Provide summaries of policy activity and projects for grant proposals and reporting, updates to our board, and other supporters and partners
Requirements:
The ideal candidate is a detail-oriented self-starter with the ability to manage multiple activities simultaneously and respond efficiently to unexpected and emerging needs. The successful candidate will know the ins and outs of state policy making and implementation, demonstrating curiosity by asking questions and taking initiative around policy and research responsibilities. This candidate will feel comfortable working in an organization with high standards that centers equity, is fast-paced, and often has unexpected, rapid-response requests.
Required qualifications
Bachelor’s degree and 5+ years of managerial experience on top of 5 years of relevant experience as an individual contributor or 10+ years of relevant experience
Holds deep knowledge of California’s policy landscape, particularly complex education or social services
Experience successfully building strategic relationships and connections to further a policy agenda
Experience navigating state politics and intergovernmental issues
Experience analyzing legislation, including budget proposals
Grasps the interplay between policy making and implementation
Comfortable representing the organization and policy priorities externally
Outstanding analytical and writing skills
Recognizes ways that race and ethnicity, gender, and other identities intersect in postsecondary access and success
Understands the historical context for racial inequity and its present-day implications, and is driven to make creative and concrete changes through advancing systemic change
Deeply believes that racial equity and social justice are important and is comfortable communicating about race and ethnicity, gender, and other identities in plain (non-euphemistic) and specific terms
Able to hear, reflect, and act on feedback regarding identity and equity with the aim to learn
Is a creative, intellectually curious self-starter with a strong work ethic, high standards, and integrity
Highly organized, detail-oriented, and results-driven
Experience managing a portfolio of projects or bodies of work
Proficient in Google Docs and Sheets, Microsoft Word, and PowerPoint
Preferred qualifications
Master’s degree in public policy, education, or related field
Knowledge of California’s higher education and workforce systems
Experience managing staff
What We Offer
Full-time, exempt position
Starting salary range: $120,000-$150,000
100% employer-paid medical, dental benefits; voluntary 403(b) plan and vision benefits.
A minimum of 10 vacation days (increases with time at organization), plus 14 employer-observed holidays and two floating holidays, sick leave, and winter office closure.
How to apply
To apply, please fill out the application using BambooHR and include a résumé, cover letter, and writing sample. Priority review of applications will begin on February 9, 2026. Applications will be considered until the position is filled.
If you have any questions, please contact careers@californiacompetes.org.
California Competes is an equal opportunity employer committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce.
Link to job posting: https://californiacompetes.org/careers/policy-director/