Director, Education Policy Program

The New America Foundation seeks a dynamic, visionary, and entrepreneurial director for its Education Policy Program. The program's mission is to develop ideas that advance the cause of equity, access, and excellence in education. . Currently, the program centers around three main policy areas: (1) federal education funding; (2) early education for children in grades pre-kindergarten through three; and (3) college financial aid modernization and higher education reform. In the future, the program intends to expand on its current work on college readiness and its partnership with New America's College Savings Initiative.

Since inception, the program has become a leading resource for policymakers, political candidates, advocates, and the media on issues related to early education, elementary and secondary education funding, and higher education. In 2007, the program's Higher Ed Watch policy blog broke news of the national student loan "pay for play" scandal, identified billions in inefficiently allocated taxpayer resources, and proffered a series of multibillion dollar financial aid modernization concepts subsequently embraced in law. Over the last two years, the program has provided support to federal policymakers in crafting national education legislation across the entire PreK-16 spectrum. This year the program has spent considerable time providing analysis of the President's stimulus package to policymakers, the press and the public. Throughout the year and into the next, the program aims to influence public debate regarding the No Child Left Behind Act's reauthorization, student loan reform, and the national early education expansion and reform movement. For more information, see http://www.newamerica.net/programs/education_policy.

Primary Responsibilities

• Articulate and implement a strategic plan for the program that builds upon its existing resources and maximizes its future impact on education policy.
• Manage and develop professionally a nine-person staff that researches and analyzes education-related data and proposes new ideas in various education policy areas, especially those relating to federal education funding.
• Maintain the program's funding base and build its infrastructure, including securing additional long-term financial support and recruiting top talent for new initiatives that advance the program's agenda.
• Develop new policy ideas applicable at the federal level by analyzing data, program evaluations, academic literature, press reports, and the policy proposals of others.
• Write, edit, and publish op-eds, articles, issue briefs, policy blog posts, and in-depth reports on new policy ideas.
• Brief and provide advice to Members of Congress, congressional staff, administration officials, candidates for elected office, advocates, researchers, and the media.
• Serve as chief spokesperson for the program and raise its overall visibility and credibility.

Contribute to the management and growth of New America as a senior staff member.

Qualifications

• Deep and well-recognized expertise in the education policy issues advanced by the program.
• Ability to articulate a compelling vision for education policy and the New America Foundation's Education Policy Program.
• Proven understanding of the policymaking and political processes.
• Ability to manage a growing, entrepreneurial staff; secure funding; and attract top talent for new and existing initiatives.
• Outstanding writing, public speaking, and organizing abilities.
• Eagerness to contribute to the management and growth of the New America Foundation.
• At least eight years of relevant work experience.

Graduate degree in economics, public policy, social policy, law, or related fields.

Application Process

Mail, fax, or e-mail a resume and cover letter (maximum two pages) summarizing your interests and qualifications to: Human Resources, New America Foundation, 1899 L Street, NW, 4th Floor, Washington, DC 20036. Fax: 202-986-3696. E-mail: jobs@newamerica.net. Please state "Director, Education Policy Program" in the e-mail subject line. No phone calls, please.

Generous salary package commensurate with experience; excellent benefits. The New America Foundation is an equal opportunity employer.