Director of State Engagement

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.

The Hunt Institute is seeking a Director of State Engagement to support and manage the implementation and expansion of its state legislators retreat (SLR) model around the country, as well as manage the State Engagement team that supports in executing this work. The Director will support and manage The Hunt Institute’s extensive portfolio of work that supports policymakers in all 50 states.

The Director will report directly to the President and CEO. The position is based out of The Hunt Institute’s office in Cary, North Carolina.

The Director will serve as the lead program manager for state legislators retreats (SLRs), policymaker learning experiences and similar state engagement convenings including the Hunt State Policy Fellows, which includes designing and executing agendas, identifying and preparing resource experts, developing program materials, and building and managing associated project timelines. The Director will manage the creation and execution of retreats from start to finish and regularly maintain the relationships necessary, both internally and externally, to repeat and strengthen retreats annually.

The Director will also be responsible for the management and professional development of the state engagement team.

• Oversee The Hunt Institute’s State Legislators Retreats in partner states including North Carolina, Virginia, Missouri, Illinois, West Virginia, Ohio, and Oklahoma.
• Support and manage the expansion of The Institute’s SLR model into new states.
• Oversee The Hunt Institute’s Hunt State Policy Fellows program.
• Support The Hunt Institute’s expansion of the Hunt State Policy Fellows into new states.
• Supervise the development of agendas for State Legislators Retreats; identify and approve resource experts; and ensure the quality of all related materials.
• Manage The Institute’s North Carolina portfolio of work and work across content teams to support North Carolina specific projects/programs.
• Maintain project schedules and timelines, delegating tasks, identifying dependencies, and driving awareness and crisp execution against major due dates.
• Lead the development and implementation of all aspects of the programs including, but not limited to legislative outreach, agenda development, relationship management, program evaluation, and ongoing policy support.
• Create and maintain strong relationships with legislators, partners, and funders.
• Supervise and mentor direct‑report staff, including communicating clear expectations, setting performance objectives, establishing a supportive environment while emphasizing accountability, providing regular and timely constructive performance feedback, and leading documented annual performance reviews.
• Work with and across The Institute’s content teams to manage cross‑functional, high‑impact initiatives and programs that enable The Institute to achieve short‑ and long‑term goals and grant deliverables.
• Other duties as assigned.

• Bachelor’s degree in public policy, public administration or related field preferred.
• 5‑7 years of experience in a government agency, research organization, or non‑profit.
• Commitment to The Hunt Institute’s mission and vision, alongside a passion for challenging entrenched systems of educational inequity and bettering public education…