Executive Director, EaR Strategy & Alignment (Public Affairs)

TL;DR

Executive Director, EaR Strategy & Alignment (Public Affairs): Leading integrated policy and research communications strategies to advance the organization's mission and reputation with an accent on legislative agendas, stakeholder management, and risk mitigation. Focus on translating complex policy into compelling narratives and orchestrating cross-functional "Studio" teams to drive measurable public affairs outcomes.

Location: Remote (USA)

Salary: $152,000 – $230,000

Company

A self-sustaining nonprofit dedicated to expanding educational and career opportunities for students.

What you will do

• Act as the primary strategic lead for Public Affairs, integrating efforts across Global Policy, External Relations, and other policy-adjacent teams.
• Translate legislative agendas, regulatory developments, and research roadmaps into coordinated, high-impact communications campaigns.
• Orchestrate the EaR Studio Model by aligning business needs with domain experts in media relations, editorial, and digital amplification.
• Utilize media intelligence and stakeholder insights to anticipate risks and coordinate proactive or rapid-response strategies.
• Establish goals, metrics, and reporting frameworks to measure the impact of communications on business outcomes.

Requirements

• Authorization to work in the United States for any employer is required.
• 10+ years of experience in public affairs, policy communications, or strategic communications within complex, politically sensitive environments.
• Proven track record of supporting state or federal legislative or regulatory initiatives through integrated communication campaigns.
• Exceptional writing skills with the ability to translate complex research into clear, compelling narratives.
• Experience in rapid response and crisis communications in high-visibility settings.
• Ability to travel 4 to 7 times per year to company offices or for business purposes.

Nice to have

• Curiosity and enthusiasm for adopting AI-driven solutions and new digital tools independently.

Culture & Benefits

• Fully remote work option with hybrid flexibility for those near offices.
• Competitive, market-based compensation grounded in experience and impact.
• Mission-driven environment focused on educational equity and growth.
• Collaborative culture emphasizing a learner's mindset and iterative improvement.

Hiring process

• Initial application review followed by a recruiter phone/video screen.
• Interviews with the hiring manager and a panel interview.
• Performance exercise and leadership conversations, concluding with reference checks.